Discover Raptor Ridge Winery: A Gem in Oregon’s Willamette Valley
Raptor Ridge Winery nestled in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, is renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noirs. What truly sets them apart, however, is their status as one of only six producers of Grüner Veltliner in the entire Pacific Northwest, and one of approximately 29 in the United States. This dedication to unique varietals alongside classic favorites makes Raptor Ridge a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts.
Welcome to Oregon wine country, a region where the spirit of the Wild West still thrives, even as our wines gain international acclaim. That same pioneering spirit that drove Lewis & Clark and their expedition westward over two centuries ago is deeply ingrained in our soil, our culture, and the very air that inspires every visitor who sets foot on this beautiful land and falls in love with its charm.
When you visit Raptor Ridge Winery, you’ll immediately feel that sense of optimism, innovation, and unwavering passion that defines the Oregon wine experience. It’s a place where tradition meets ingenuity, and where the pursuit of excellence is evident in every glass.
I recently had the pleasure of attending a media luncheon at Raptor Ridge Winery, hosted by owner and winemaker Scott Shull, his wife and partner in the winery, Annie Shull, and members of their dedicated staff. It was a picture-perfect fall day – ideal for a leisurely lunch on the deck of Raptor Ridge’s stunning tasting room, with breathtaking views of the sprawling vineyards.
The Story of Raptor Ridge Winery
Scott Shull’s journey to becoming a winemaker is an inspiring tale of passion and perseverance. An engineer by training, Scott transformed himself into a self-taught winemaker, starting as an independent producer. He officially founded Raptor Ridge Winery in 1995, initially crafting his first vintages in a converted sheep’s barn. Then, in 2000, driven by an innovative spirit, he embarked on a bold venture: tearing out an old cherry orchard in the Chehalem Mountains and planting a unique blend of Pinot Noir, Pommard, and Grüner Veltliner grapes. As you can imagine, removing established cherry trees with their deep roots and preparing the soil for vineyard planting was a monumental task.
The Raptor Ridge vineyard you see today was developed in three distinct phases. The first section, known as Adolfo’s Block, was named in honor of vineyard manager Adolfo Jimenez and initially comprised just a few acres. After a brief pause, Shull added Macario’s Block, named after vineyard manager Macario Ramirez, in 2004. The third phase of vineyard expansion took place in 2007 and is named after vineyard manager Dustin Miller.
Today, the Raptor Ridge vineyards encompass approximately 20 acres, with roughly 18 acres dedicated to active vines. This meticulous attention to detail and commitment to sustainable practices ensures the highest quality grapes for their exceptional wines.
The Raptor Ridge Winery Tasting Room, completed in 2010, is a bright and spacious venue designed to showcase the winery’s diverse portfolio of wines. The tasting room provides a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for visitors to explore the exceptional wines that Raptor Ridge has to offer.
While Raptor Ridge offers a range of varietals, the majority of their wines are Pinot Noirs, including their popular Barrel Select Pinot Noir ($30) and Estate Pinot Noir ($45). They also produce several single-vineyard wines sourced from carefully selected sites, such as Shea ($55) and Meredith Mitchell ($45). These single-vineyard expressions highlight the unique terroir of each site, resulting in wines of exceptional character and complexity.
During our visit, we had the privilege of tasting the inaugural vintage from the estate, the 2006 Adolfo’s Block Pinot Noir. This was a truly special experience, offering a glimpse into the history and evolution of Raptor Ridge Winery.
If it were possible to taste hard work and dedication, the 2006 Adalfo’s Block Pinot Noir would be the embodiment of that experience. This wine possesses a full, complex character that seamlessly transitions between rich blackberry notes (perhaps with a lingering cherry essence from the previous orchard?) and a subtle spice.
Our retrospective tasting also included the 1997 Raptor Ridge Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir; the 2000 Raptor Ridge Meredith Mitchell Vineyard and 2000 Shea Pinot Noir; the 2005 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir; and the 2010 Gran Moraine Vineyard Pinot Noir. I meticulously took notes on each wine, but for the sake of brevity, I will focus on my personal favorite, which was the final tasting of the selection.
The 2010 Gran Moraine Vineyard Pinot Noir ($60) is a delightful and aromatic red wine that bursts with vibrant color and luscious mixed berry flavors. I found this wine to be absolutely captivating and highly recommend it.
Beyond Pinot Noir: Exploring Raptor Ridge’s Diverse Offerings
As previously mentioned, Raptor Ridge Winery stands out as one of the few wineries in the valley that produces a Grüner Veltliner. Using cuttings taken from Austrian Grüner vines, the 2014 Raptor Ridge Grüner Veltliner ($20) is a bright and refreshing wine with notes of tangerine, lemon citrus, and a crisp, steely acidity. This unique offering showcases Raptor Ridge’s commitment to exploring diverse varietals and pushing the boundaries of Oregon winemaking.
Raptor Ridge also crafts a lovely 2011 Brut Rosé Harbinger Vineyard Methode Champenoise ($63). This first-vintage sparkling wine is light, dry, and not overly bubbly, making it an excellent accompaniment to many light desserts. This sparkling rosé is a testament to Raptor Ridge’s dedication to crafting high-quality wines across a variety of styles.
During our visit, we were also treated to a special preview of the upcoming 2015 Auxerrois, still in the midst of fermentation. This promising wine is definitely one to watch!
A Culinary Experience: The Raptor Ridge Luncheon
Raptor Ridge Winery boasts an in-house chef, Irene Bonn Laney, who also happens to be a certified yoga instructor. A true embodiment of the Portland spirit, Irene’s diverse talents and passions shine through in her culinary creations. She’s actually hosting the last Yoga in the Vines event of the year on November 5th, offering a unique opportunity to combine relaxation and wine appreciation.
Irene’s infectious smile is reflected in her food, which is simply happy. She creates happy, healthy, and absolutely delicious dishes that pair perfectly with wine. Her passion for fresh, local ingredients and her innovative approach to cooking create a truly memorable dining experience.
To begin our luncheon, Irene prepared a beautiful kale salad with apples, raspberries, and a light lemon, olive oil, and maple dressing. It was served with her homemade rustic bread, accompanied by a basil, rosemary, and sea salt compound butter.
With our meal, we were invited to participate in a vertical tasting of the Raptor Ridge Estate Pinot Noirs (2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014), but my favorite part was tasting the 2014 Estate Pinot Noir ($45) alongside the 2014 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir ($50). Guess which one I fell in love with?
Yes, the more expensive one! This special cuvee is limited to only 126 cases. At the time of writing, this cuvee is exclusively available to Flight Club Members (fingers crossed that there are some bottles remaining for the rest of us!).
Oregon wine buying tip: Unlike many other wine regions, Oregon wineries generally price their wines according to quality: the more expensive the wine, the higher the quality. You might expect this logic to hold true everywhere, but in my experience, it doesn’t always. With the exception of a few wineries in the state, you can pretty much count on getting what you pay for with Oregon wines.
For our main course, we enjoyed a hearty shepherd’s pie featuring beef, carrots, peas, heirloom local corn, cinnamon, and red wine.
For dessert, Irene crafted a delightful plum cake with rhubarb quince butter.
I must also express my deepest gratitude to Irene for creating a delicious dairy-free dessert option for me: stewed plums with a cardamom and clove scone and whipped coconut cream. I could eat this all day long!
If you appreciate what you see here (and I only wish you could taste how amazing this meal was!), consider hosting your next private event at Raptor Ridge Winery. Irene can create a customized menu to suit your event needs, and your guests will be impressed by the stunning scenery on the private deck, as well as the exceptional portfolio of Raptor Ridge wines. Contact Raptor Ridge today to discuss your event!
Plan Your Visit to Raptor Ridge Winery
Raptor Ridge Winery is more than just a winery; it’s an experience. From the exceptional wines to the breathtaking scenery and the delectable culinary offerings, a visit to Raptor Ridge is sure to be a memorable one. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or a curious newcomer, you’ll find something to appreciate at this Willamette Valley gem. So, plan your visit today and discover the magic of Raptor Ridge Winery for yourself!
Address: 18700 SW Hillsboro Hwy, Newberg, OR 97132
Phone: (503) 628-8463
Hours: Daily 11am – 4pm
Website: www.RaptorRidgeWinery.com