February 14th - This Date in Wine History

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Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Happy Valentine’s Day.  St. Valentine has no reference to wine history, but sweethearts often toast their love with wine or Champagne!  Cheers!

  • Oregon was admitted to the Union in 1859.  It is home to the Applegate Valley, Chahalem Mountains, Columbia Gorge, Columbia Valley, Dundee Hills, Elkton Oregon, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Red Hills Douglas County Oregon,  Ribbon Ridge, The Rocks of Milton-Freewater, Rogue Valley,  Snake River Valley, Southern Oregon, Umpqua Valley, Walla Walla, Willamette Valley and Yamhill-Carlton

  • Arizona was admitted to the union in 1912.  It is home to the Sonoita and Willcox viticultural areas.

  • Drew Bledsoe was born in 1972.  He is owner of Doubleback Wines in Walla Walla Washington.

  • New Mexico's Mesilla Valley AVA was designated in 1985

  • The Côte Roannaise AOC was named in 1994

  • The Bulgarian’s celebrate Trifon Zarezan (Vineyard Day).  It is an ancient custom that was Christianized but previously offered to Sabazius, Dionysius, Bromius, Bacchus and Lycurgus.  The vines are trimmed, watered with wine and thrown into the River.  Later a meal of chicken (specifically a hen) stuffed with rice or bulgar is served.

  • The French have a saying, « Vigneron à la Saint-Valentin, doit avoir serpette en main. » which translates to "Winemakers on Valentine's Day, must have a serpette in hand.” (a serpette is an agricultural knife) 

December 1st - This Date in Wine History

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Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Sir Francis Walsingham was knighted in 1577.  Personal Secretary and Spymaster to Queen Elizabeth I, he was married to the Lord Mayor of London’s daughter Mary who was the widow of a wine merchant.

  • A Report to the Superintendent of the Census for December 1, 1852 includes a history of viticulture from colonial days to the mid-19th century.

  • Oregon's Willamette Valley AVA was designated in 1983.

  • Spain’s Ribera del Duero DO was established in 1992.

  • It is the feast day of St. Airy of Verdun.  As Bishop of Verdun, he received a visit from Childebert II and a feast was held.  The King’s warriors drank so much that they were in danger of running out of wine.  St. Airy had the last barrel brought out and prayed over it and the wine flowed continuously and was of much better quality.

December 1st - This Date in Wine History

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Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • A Report to the Superintendent of the Census for December 1, 1852 includes a history of viticulture from colonial days to the mid-19th century.
  • Oregon's Willamette Valley AVA was designated in 1983.
  • Spain’s Ribera del Duero DO was established in 1992.

2011 Sabina Pinot Noir - Wine of the Day

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2011 Sabina Pinot Noir

2011 Sabina Pinot Noir

$55

The 2011 Sabina Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir opens with hints of raspberry and rose petal aromas mixed with flavors of cranberry, leather and green tea in the mouth. The wine is smooth and concentrated on the palate. Spice and sweet oak round out the rich, velvety texture producing a spectacular pinot noir for Sabina Vineyards.

The grapes were transported from Oregon to Napa where they were then fermented in 4 separate French oak open top tanks. Fermentation lasted 15 days. The 4 lots were blended and bottled after 18 months in barrel.

Roserock is perched on a ridge top towards the southern end of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, which is located within the Willamette Valley, home to many of Oregon’s finest Pinot Noir vineyards. In 2011, a warm and dry harvets period gave way to cooler than expected conditions in late September and early October. Fortunately, the fruit was at or near its ripening plateau. A final heat spike at harvest dehydrated many clusters, reducing yields and concentrating flavors.

Sabina Pinot Noir Vertical - Wine of the Day

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Sabina Pinot Noir Vertical

Sabina Pinot Noir Vertical

$195

One of the ways that sommeliers learn to taste the differences between vintages is to taste them back to back.  When you have three or more, it is called a vertical tasting.  And that is what we at Qorkz are offering you! Three Sabina Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noirs from three separate vintages.

2011 Sabina Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir

The 2011 Sabina Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir nose is reminiscent of crushed cranberries, cherries and herbs, particularly  The acidity cleanses the palate following  while marrying the flavors picked up on the nose to create the ultimate experience producing a spectacular pinot noir for Sabina Vineyards.

2012 Sabina Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir

The 2012 Sabina Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir nose is reminiscent of freshly crushed cranberries, cherries and fresh herbs. Brilliant acidity cleanses the palate following the richest of gravies while marrying the flavors picked up on the nose to create the ultimate experience producing a spectacular pinot noir for Sabina Vineyards.

2013 Sabina Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir

The 2013 Sabina Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir opens with hints of raspberry and rose petal aromas mixed with flavors of cranberry, leather and green tea in the mouth. The wine is smooth and concentrated on the palate. Spice and sweet oak round out the rich, velvety texture producing a spectacular pinot noir for Sabina Vineyards.

2011 Genetic Pinot Noir - Wine of the Day

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2011 Genetic Pinot Noir

 2011 Genetic Pinot Noir

2 bottles for $100

The 2011 Genetic Pinot Noir is a special Oregon Pinot Noir from Sabina Vineyards. This wine has a nose that is reminiscent of freshly crushed cranberries, cherries and fresh herbs. Brilliant acidity cleanses the palate following the richest of gravies while marrying the flavors picked up on the nose to create the ultimate experience producing a spectacular pinot noir for Sabina Vineyards.

The grapes for this wine come from the Roserock Vineyard which is perched on a ridge top towards the southern end of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, which is located within the Willamette Valley, home to many of Oregon’s finest Pinot Noir vineyards. In 2011, a warm and dry harvest period gave way to cooler than expected conditions in late September and early October. Fortunately, the fruit was at or near its ripening plateau. A final heat spike at harvest dehydrated many clusters, reducing yields and concentrating flavors.

The Genetic wines are an homage to the LGBTQ community and perfect for celebrating Pride Month!  We are offering these wines in pairs for $100.

2010 Genetic Pinot Noir - Wine of the Day

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2010 Genetic Pinot Noir

2010 Genetic Pinot Noir

$100 for 2 bottles

The 2011 Genetic Pinot Noir is a special Oregon Pinot Noir from Sabina Vineyards. This wine has a nose that is reminiscent of freshly crushed cranberries, cherries and fresh herbs. Brilliant acidity cleanses the palate following the richest of gravies while marrying the flavors picked up on the nose to create the ultimate experience producing a spectacular pinot noir for Sabina Vineyards.

The grapes for this wine come from the Roserock Vineyard which is perched on a ridge top towards the southern end of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, which is located within the Willamette Valley, home to many of Oregon’s finest Pinot Noir vineyards. In 2011, a warm and dry harvest period gave way to cooler than expected conditions in late September and early October. Fortunately, the fruit was at or near its ripening plateau. A final heat spike at harvest dehydrated many clusters, reducing yields and concentrating flavors.

The Genetic wines are an homage to the LGBTQ community and perfect for celebrating Pride Month!  We are offering these wines in pairs for $100.

December 1st - This Date in Wine History

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Flag of the State of Oregon

Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature This Date In Wine History, we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Oregon's Willamette Valley AVA was designated in 1983.  (Willamette Dammit! - Your pronounciation guide)
  • Spain's Ribera del Duero DO was established in 1992.