These two Oregon producers based in the Dundee Hills presented an opportunity for me to add more context to the landscape of the Willamette Valley. The region sits above the 200-foot elevation marker, where primarily volcanic, basaltic hills are exposed, left behind by the Missoula Floods deposits 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, near the end of the last Ice Age. The site of the first planted grapes in the Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills was established as an AVA in 2005. The Dundee Hills AVA is predominantly home to Pinot Noir, and the region offers a bit more warmth than other Oregon AVAs. The wines from both of these estates display finesse and polish and are lovely wines to explore from the area.

By Audrey Frick
Senior Editor & Wine Critic
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