Oregon and Washington Wine Tasting: A Pacific Northwest Pour
This August, we journeyed through the heart of the Pacific Northwest for an Oregon and Washington wine tasting at Stem Wine Bar. First, we kicked off with the Italian cocktail, always the perfect prelude to tasting heaven. With Jules and Brian away, Paul took the lead and guided the evening with charm and warmth. Let’s dive into the wine, food, and regional magic we experienced.
A Quick Sip of the Pacific Northwest
Oregon and Washington boast rich viticultural landscapes. Oregon’s Willamette Valley, nestled west of the Cascades, produces 79% of the state’s wines—including outstanding Pinot Noir and expressive white varietals—thanks to its cool climate and volcanic soils.
Meanwhile, eastern Washington’s Columbia Valley delivers structure and power. Its hot, dry days and cool nights preserve acidity and flavor balance, making it ideal for Bordeaux varietals and robust red blends.
Together, they showcase a Pacific Northwest pour rich in both elegance and depth.
Round 1: Whisper-Soft Whites
Anne Amie, Willamette Valley 2023, Pinot Gris
Food Pairing: Tuxedo oyster with honeydew mignonette
- Smell & Taste: Meyer lemon, pear, gardenia, jasmine, white peach, graham cracker, fennel, and white tea.
- Winery Note: Founded by Oregon philanthropist Dr. Robert Pamplin Jr., Anne Amie reflects a vision of exceptional winemaking. After acquiring Chateau Benoit in 1999, he enlisted winemaker Thomas Houseman and winegrower Peter Ebbers, championing sustainable estate vineyards—now LIVE- and Salmon Safe–certified—to craft elegant Pinot Gris with floral intensity and crisp precision.
- Pairing Highlight: Briny sweetness played beautifully with aromatic fruit.
L’Ecole No. 41, Columbia Valley 2023, Chardonnay
Food Pairing: Salmon candy with teriyaki sauce
- Smell & Taste: Pear, apple, honeysuckle, grilled peach, mango, nutmeg, citrus blossoms, and lemon curd.
- Winery note: L’Ecole is a third-generation, family-owned artisan winery founded in 1983, established in the historic Frenchtown Schoolhouse depicted on its iconic label.
- Pairing Highlight: Caramel-like flavors highlighted the wine’s depth.
Round 2: Elegant Rosé & Refined Pinot
Illahe Estate 2024, Rosé of Tempranillo
Food Pairing: Ricotta cavatelli with wild mushrooms
- Smell & Taste: White strawberry, blood orange, guava, mango, watermelon, and citrus blossoms.
- Winery note: Illahe crafts wine with hands-on authenticity, some lots are made entirely by hand, using age-old methods like manual grape sorting, wooden basket pressing, and even bicycle-powered pumps, with no electricity or machinery involved
- Pairing Highlight: Earthy mushrooms paired with the wine’s depth.
Bethel Heights 2022, Eola-Amity Pinot Noir
Food Pairing: Five-spiced duck, ginger carrot puree, with huckleberry pinot demi
- Smell & Taste: Fresh raspberry, violets, cinnamon, clove, black tea, rhubarb, black cherry, and forest floor.
- Winery note: In 1977, twin brothers Ted and Terry Casteel—along with their partners—spotted an abandoned walnut orchard advertised as “suitable for vineyard.” They sold their city jobs, cleared the land, and founded one of Oregon’s earliest estate vineyards.
- Pairing Highlight: Spiced duck echoed the wine’s elegance.
Round 3: Bold Reds & Decadent Finish
Novelty Hill “Royal Slope Red” 2020
Food Pairing: Elk & blueberry salami with Rogue River blue cheese
- Smell & Taste: Black currant, blackberry, cherry, plum, cocoa, vanilla, dried tobacco, and bell pepper.
- Winery note: Novelty Hill emerged from a bold vision in 2000, when Mike Januik embraced the opportunity to plant the Alberg family’s Stillwater Creek Vineyard on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills—then an uncharted region.
- Pairing Highlight: Salami and cheese enhanced the wine’s complexity.
Intrinsic 2020, Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Food Pairing: Dark chocolate and hazelnut tart with Luxardo cherries and candied hazelnuts
- Smell & Taste: Dried black cherry, pomegranate, rose petals, black olive, dried tobacco, boysenberry, raspberry.
- Winery note: Blends modern techniques like concrete fermentation for layered depth.
- Pairing Highlight: Decadent dessert matched the wine’s plush finish.
Featured Flight Wines
Eyrie Vineyards 2021, Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
- Smell & Taste: Raspberry, cranberry, strawberry, beet root, dried herbs, rose petals, dried leaves, and licorice.
- Winery Note: Eyrie Vineyards pioneered Oregon’s Pinot Noir legacy; David Lett was the first to establish Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley and the U.S., setting the standard for elegance and history in every bottle.
Mullan Road Cellars 2022, Royal Slope Cabernet Sauvignon
- Smell & Taste: Blackberry, black currant, plum, sweet baking spices, black tea, fig, and bell peppers.
- Winery note: Founded in 2012 by Dennis Cakebread of renowned Cakebread Cellars, Mullan Road is the family’s bold journey into Washington
My Favorite Bites of the Night at the Oregon and Washington Wine Tasting
Above all, the highlights of this Oregon and Washington wine tasting were the ricotta cavatelli, five-spiced duck, and decadent chocolate-hazelnut tart.
- The ricotta cavatelli with wild mushrooms and ricotta salata stood out and was my absolute favorite dish. The pillow-soft pasta and nuttiness of the salata seamlessly mirrored the delicate structure of the Rosé of Tempranillo—hugging every bite in earthy richness that felt both comforting and sophisticated.
- Five-spiced duck was a standout. Its complex spice blend danced on the palate, beautifully balanced by the silky ginger-carrot purée and bright huckleberry Pinot demi. This match brought forward layers of fruit, acidity, and aromatic spice—an elegant foil to the Pinot Noir’s lighter body and bright fruit profile (a style that winemakers often pair with richer duck dishes)
- Finally, the dark chocolate and hazelnut tart finished our evening with flair. The luxe combination of chocolate, Luxardo cherries, and crunch of candied hazelnuts elevated the Cabernet Sauvignon’s depth and velvety tannins—creating a luxurious, lingering dessert experience.
Coming Soon: Southern Italy in September
Pack your palate for Southern Italy’s Sangiovese, Nero d’Avola, and coastal whites, paired with Chef Dom’s inspired small plates.
📅 Dates: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout September 2025
📍 Location: Stem Wine Bar, 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd Ste 516, Marietta, GA 30068
🎟️ Tickets: Available on Eventbrite
Explore More Wine Tastings
Love this wine recap? Check out some of our previous tastings.
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