Bill Holloran, the founder and man behind Holloran Wines, one of Oregon's premier, family-owned wineries producing top-notch, terroir-driven wines comes to the Washington DC area on a regular basis. I have met Bill in the last two years at wine tastings in Washington DC and McLean, Virginia:
The Jay Somers Wines of Bill Holloran,Oregon
Meeting Bill Holloran from Oregon and Tasting His Holloran and Stafford Hill Wines
This year, I caught up with him at finewine.com - a wine store in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
The Wines of Bill Holloran
Bill Holloran's story is: technology executive moves to Oregon to raise his family, starts to dabble in wine, hires one of the best young winemakers in Oregon (Jay Somers), buys a famous vineyard (Le Pavillon), and starts turning out classic Willamette Valley wines at high quality. Bill moved to Oregon in 1999. The winery is located at the northern end of the Willamette Valley, just south of Portland at 2636 SW Schaeffer Road in West Linn, Oregon.
Until recently, Bill Holloran's winemaker was Jay Somers, better known for his culty J. Christopher label and his co-operation with the German wine giant Ernst Loosen. Bill Holloran and Jay Somers partnered in 1999 and they built the small winery on Holloran's farm. In return for making Holloran's wines, Jay used the facility to make his own J. Christopher label, which he had launched in 1996. Recently, Jay Somers has teamed up with Ernst Loosen, the owner of Weingut Dr. Loosen in the Mosel wine region in Germany. Ernst Loosen makes wine in Germany and in the US. As for the US, first, he makes the Eroica Riesling, in collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle, the huge Washington State winemaker. Second, he makes Pinot Noir and other wines in Oregon with Jay Christopher Somers. Though Jay Somers is very busy now with Ernst Loosen, he is still consulting with Holloran and Stafford Hill Wines, Bill Holloran said. I visited Jay last year in Oregon:
The Vineyards
The Le Pavillon vineyard is located in the Dundee Hills AVA and is over 35 years old. The soil type is Jory, an ancient volcanic soil. The producing blocks are Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay. Farmed organically since 1999, biodynamically since 2005.
The La Chenaie vineyard is located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Chardonnay and Riesling are planted on south, east, and southwest-facing slopes. Farmed organically.
The estate Vineyard Meute de Chiens has 6 different clones of Pinot Noir. Farmed organically.
Acreage Planted: 13.6 acres; varieties planted: Pinot Noir - 7.5 acres, Riesling - 3.1 acres, Tempranillo -3.0 acres.
The Labels
The top cuvees are offered under the Holloran label and provide flavors and aromas that are representative of their source vineyard or AVA. The Stafford Hill line is the second label. Bill Holloran developed the Stafford Hill label to feature pure, ready-to-drink wines sourced from his own and from other vineyards up and down Oregon's Willamette Valley. Bill Holloran currently produces 3000 to 4000 cases annually.
What Bill Poured
Bill poured the following 5 wines, including his "Le Pavillon" Single Vineyard wines grown in the Dundee Hills with vines over 35 years old, farmed organically since 1999.
Holloran "Le Pavillon" Pinot Noir 2009
This Pinot comes from 35 year-old vines in Holloran's Le Pavillon vineyard in the Dundee Hills. The vineyard has been farmed organically since 1999 and biodynamically since 2005. Ripe strawberry and cranberry aromas meld with spicy, licorice, cocoa,and cinnamon notes. Flavors follow the nose, and a big, rich, mouthfeel largely obscures the ripe tannin that will allow Le Pavillon to age gracefully.
Holloran Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2009
This is a go-to Pinot. It has aromas of beautiful strawberry and cherry and earth that lead to full red fruit and exotic spices on the palate. The tannins are light and the finish long, lingering, and full of lively fruit and spice. This will drink really well right now but has the depth of fruit and balance to develop for 3-4 years.
Holloran "La Pavillon" Chardonnay 2008
This "single-vineyard" chardonnay exemplifies how low yields and hands-on management makes a wine that expresses the unique characteristics of the Willamette Valley terroir. The nose is dominated with aromas of apple and pear and the finish is crisp and mouth-watering. Full-bodied and luscious, it would be great with roasted chicken and other white meats. Serve this wine only slightly chilled to allow the fruit to come to the fore.
Stafford Hill Eola-Amity Pinot Noir 2009
Stafford Hill is the second label for Holloran Winery. Organically farmed, this vineyard produces wines that give an intensity rarely found in Oregon wines at this price point. Aromas of cherry, spice, and an appealing Willamette Valley earthiness give way to an elegant palate. A long, complex finish will leave you craving salmon, chicken kabobs and mushroom dishes. Even better after 30 minutes in the fridge!
Stafford Hill Chardonnay 2009
This Chardonnay is fermented and aged 100% in stainless steel, which gives it rich flavors and lovely balance. The second label of Holloran Vineyards, this is a blend of Holloran Le Pavillon and Willamette grapes, The addition of earlier-ripening Burgundian clones has given racier flavors to this traditionally produced wine. Perfect for the season, pair this lively Chardonnay with fish, Maryland crabs or enjoy as the perfect summer sipper for you and your guests!
schiller-wine: Related Postings
Oregon Pinot Gris Symposium at Oak Knoll Winery in Hillsboro
A Riesling Guru and a Killer Guitarist cum Cult Winemaker: Ernst Loosen and Jay Somers and their J. Christopher Winery in Newberg, Oregon
One of Oregon's Pioneering Winemakers - Myron Redford - with his Amity Vineyard Wines in Washington DC
Wine tasting: Soter Wines from Oregon at Out-of-Sight Wines in Vienna, US
Wine Tasting: The Pinot Noirs of Patricia Green, Oregon, US
The Excellent Wines of Ken Wright Cellars, Oregon
Meeting Bill Holloran from Oregon and Tasting His Holloran and Stafford Hill Wines
The Doctor Made a House Call - A Tasting with Ernst Loosen, Weingut Dr. Loosen, at MacArthur Beverages in Washington DC
Visit: Oak Knoll Winery in Hillsboro, Oregon
Meeting American Wine Writer Paul Gregutt in Oregon, USA
Washington State and Oregon's Best Wines - Paul Gregutt’s Top 100 Wines of 2011
Visiting Patrick Reuter and his Dominio IV Winery in McMinnville, Oregon, US
A Riesling Guru and a Killer Guitarist cum Cult Winemaker: Ernst Loosen and Jay Somers and their J. Christopher Winery in Newberg, Oregon
The Jay Somers Wines of Bill Holloran,Oregon
Meeting Winemaker Dianna Lee and Tasting Her Siduri Wines and Her Novi Family Wines
Meeting Bill Holloran from Oregon and Tasting His Holloran and Stafford Hill Wines
The Doctor Made a House Call - A Tasting with Ernst Loosen, Weingut Dr. Loosen, at MacArthur Beverages in Washington DC
Visit: Oak Knoll Winery in Hillsboro, Oregon
Meeting Glenn and Liz Bartholomew from Oregon and Tasting Their Dominio IV Wines
The Roots of Oregon Winemaker Chris Berg, the Art of Paul Klee, the Wine House of Michael Pearce and the Nice Legs of Al McCosh
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