Dominio Wines IV Still Life Viognier 2010
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The estate's vineyard in Mosier, Oregon was once visited by generations of Chinook Indians and famous American explorers traveling by canoes. Dominio biodynamically farms this land, and has planted Tempranillo, Syrah, and Viognier. In May 2012, the winery added small parcels of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and, perhaps eccentrically, Petit Verdot.
Oregon is a remarkable fit for Pinot noir, so the owners have placed the winery in the cooler Willamette Valley and plucked grapes from eight deft farmers that see eye to eye with them on natural farming practices. In the fall of 2017, Dominio has started planting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes on its new Estate property in Carlton.
Dominio hopes you will visit in person -- walk the labyrinth and taste the wines. Who knows, you may even hear one of the vineyard’s conversations.
Full-figured and charmingly floral, Viognier is one of the most important white grapes of the northern Rhône where it is used both to produce single varietal wines and as an important blending grape. Look for great New World examples from California, Oregon, Washington and cooler parts of Australia. Somm Secret—Viognier plays a surprisingly important role in the red wines of Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône. About 5% Viognier is typically co-fermented with the Syrah in order to stabilize the color, and as an added benefit, add a subtle perfume.
Home to some of America’s most celebrated Pinot Noir, Oregon maintains a tight focus on small production, high quality wine even while the state’s industry enjoys steady growth. As a world-renowned wine region, Oregon has more than 700 wineries and is home to well over 70 grape varieties. With a mostly Mediterranean climate, its cooler and wetter regions lie in the west, close to the Pacific Coast.
By far the most reputed Oregon wine region is the Willamette Valley, which is further subdivided into six smaller appellations: Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge and Yamhill-Carlton.
The Oregon wine region's most obvious success story is with Pinot Noir, which here takes on a personality that could be described in general terms as somewhere in between the wines of California and Burgundy—and is often more affordable than either one. The best Willamette Pinot noir has a rare combination of red and black fruit, elegant balance, high acidity and rustic earth. While completely enjoyable in their youth, some of the better, single vineyard or appellation-specific Pinot noirs can often benefit from some cellar time.
Other AVAs in Oregon’s west worth noting include Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley.
In the east are Snake River Valley, which overlaps into Idaho, and Columbia Valley, which Oregon shares with Washington. Summers are hot and dry in these regions but winters are cold and rainy.
Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot blanc also grow successfully in Oregon.