July 29, 2008

Looking for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

I suppose I need to use the force for good.

Who out there knows where I can get my hands on a half ton of top quality Willamette Valley Pinot Noir for my home winemaking?

Two things are essential:
  1. I'm looking for a grapes from a vineyard that's mostly if not all in commercial production.
  2. I need a grower who will "deal" with a home winemaker, for now.
If I have the choice, I'm looking for older vines and all Pommard or a majority of Pommard clone. But I'll entertain anything serious. No u-pick or homebrew-only vineyards, please. I need a grower who crops low and understands that I'm serious. I'm not rich or crazy, but I'm willing to pay for quality. I know there's no other way.

Do I sound crazy? Well in 2006 I got fruit from the Wahle vineyard, mostly 30 year old Pommard. I got shut out in 2007 and am on the "list" for grapes there this year. I just can't wait around to get shut out again, much as I'd love to be a buyer here. This grower sells commercially but doesn't mind (sometimes) working with home winemakers like me.

In 2007 I lucked into some 20 year old Pommard from a prized vineyard that I can't name. Unfortunately, that source isn't available to me this year, but that's life. I'll take what I can get.

I'm looking to make Pinot Noir at home for one more year (2008), then jump into limited commercial production in 2009. I'm not looking to mess around, so I want to make wine from top quality grapes. Ideally I'll make a connection that leads to more quantity next year and beyond. I have samples of wine I've made, if someone wants to make sure I know what I'm doing.

I didn't envision using this blog to fish for grapes. But it's almost August and, hell, the internet's a powerful thing. If anybody out there has grapes, or a connection or idea of who I might talk to, let me know here or at vincentfritzsche(at)yahoo(dot)com. I'd really appreciate it.

Now back to your regular consumption.
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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:33 PM

    Vincent,
    Have you tried the Northwest Grape & Wine discussion bd at http://berrygrape.oregonstate.edu/discussion-groups/northwest-grape-wine-discussion/

    You might be able to find a source there.

    Good luck,
    Ruben

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous12:06 PM

    Vincent,

    The Oregon Wine Board has developed a Grape Matching Service where you can post your desire to purchase fruit or contact sellers who have fruit for sale. http://gms.oregonwine.org/

    Best,
    Hannelore
    Oregon Wine Board

    ReplyDelete
  3. Vincent Fritzsche12:52 PM

    Thanks for commenting. However, it looks like I need to be a winery business or vineyard to register for the free grape matching service. Is that true?

    Maybe I should track you down through the Oregon Wine Board. But clearing this up here might help other readers. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous1:06 PM

    The Grape Matching Service was created for vineyards and wineries, however, anyone can use it. Just register as a winery and post your information. You can specify in your posting that you're a home winemaker.

    Best,

    Hannelore

    ReplyDelete
  5. Vincent Fritzsche1:33 PM

    Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't think it would be a big deal to log on, but I didn't want to ruffle feathers or look like I was pretending to be a winery. At least, not yet. I'll register and post a request.

    ReplyDelete