Montinore Estate Frolic Muller Thurgau 2014
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Established in 1982, Montinore Estate is one of the largest producers of certified estate wines made from Biodynamic grapes in the country. With their 200-acre Demeter Certified Biodynamic and Stellar Certified Organic vineyard located in north Willamette Valley in Oregon, we focus on producing superior Pinot Noirs, cool climate whites, and fascinating Italian varietals.
Partner and Chief Viticulturist, Rudy Marchesi, works side-by-side with Head Winemaker Stephen Webber to ensure their farming and winemaking practices allow us to sustainably craft wines that reflect their place while showcasing the best characteristics of each variety. We strive to create wines that honor the land and traditions–from root to bottle, from their land to your table.
Müller-Thurgau is a white grape variety created by Hermann Müller in the Swiss Canton of Thurgau in 1882. He crossed Riesling with the table grape, Madeleine Royale, following an ambition to make a delightful drinking wine from an easier-to-grow vine than Riesling. When done right, Müller-Thurgau is a full-bodied, floral white with a refreshing, crisp quality. Somm Secret—Worldwide, Müller-Thurgau is one of the most widely planted of the new breed of grapes created since the 19th century.
One of Pinot Noir's most successful New World outposts, the Willamette Valley is the largest and most important AVA in Oregon. With a continental climate moderated by the influence of the Pacific Ocean, it is perfect for cool-climate viticulture and the production of elegant wines.
Mountain ranges bordering three sides of the valley, particularly the Chehalem Mountains, provide the option for higher-elevation vineyard sites.
The valley's three prominent soil types (volcanic, sedimentary and silty, loess) make it unique and create significant differences in wine styles among its vineyards and sub-AVAs. The iron-rich, basalt-based, Jory volcanic soils found commonly in the Dundee Hills are rich in clay and hold water well; the chalky, sedimentary soils of Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton and McMinnville encourage complex root systems as vines struggle to search for water and minerals. In the most southern stretch of the Willamette, the Eola-Amity Hills sub-AVA soils are mixed, shallow and well-drained. The Hills' close proximity to the Van Duzer Corridor (which became its own appellation as of 2019) also creates grapes with great concentration and firm acidity, leading to wines that perfectly express both power and grace.
Though Pinot noir enjoys the limelight here, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay also thrive in the Willamette. Increasing curiosity has risen recently in the potential of others like Grüner Veltliner, Chenin Blanc and Gamay.