Amity is a small family-owned
winery in Yamhill County, established in 1976, 45 miles SW of Portland,
above the village of Amity. Founder and Winemaker Myron Redford
specializes in Pinot noir, Gamay noir, Eco-Wine (a sulfite-free
Pinot noir made from Organic Grapes), Dry and Late Harvest Gewurztraminer,
Dry and Late Harvest Riesling, Blush of Pinot noir and Pinot blanc.
Amity Vineyards is situated 45 miles southwest
of Portland atop the Amity Hills and commands a spectacular view
of the Oregon Coast Range. The winery has gained a reputation, both
in the U.S. and abroad, forwines of structure, complexity and excellence.
Winemaker Myron Redford moved to Oregon in 1974 with a dream for
a winery that would specialize in Burgundian style Pinots. Working
with up to 32 separate and distinct lots of wine, Winemaker Redford
smells, tastes and blends to create two to four Pinot noir releases in
a vintage. Appealing to a wide range of Pinot drinkers, they range
from the "Oregon, Red Label", soft and approachable, to the "Gold
Label, Winemaker's Reserve" - made only in exceptional years and
designed for long aging in the tradition of Grand Cru Burgundies.
As envisioned, Pinot noir has become Amity's flagship wine.
Amity is also known for dry Gewürztraminers
and Rieslings as well as new varietals to the United States such as Gamay
noir. The Gewürztraminers are made in the Alsatian style. Visitors
from that region often comment: "I never thought I would taste a
Gewürztraminer outside of Alsace that would remind me of home."
Rieslings are made in both the dry and late harvest styles. These
wines consistently win Gold medals and high ratings. Amity was the
first American winery to produce Gamay noir, the variety found in
the wines of Beaujolais. The grapes were grown from cuttings provided
to Oregon by the French Government. This wine is now in national distribution
and becoming increasingly popular, especially served slightly chilled
in the summer.
Amity also produces Pinot blanc and a Pinot noir called Eco-Wine.
Pinot blanc is an exciting new varietal that Amity feels will be
so successful that Oregon will soon join Northern Italy and Alsace
as world centers for Pinot blanc. Amity introduced Eco-Wine, Oregon's
first sulfite free wine made from organic grapes, in 1990. Amity's
environmental commitment also includes almost 100% use of rewashed
bottles; an extensive recycling program; and avoidance of almost
all agricultural chemicals in its vineyard operations.
Organic Wine from Amity
Amity Vineyards, internationally known
for the uqality of its Pinot noir, released Oregon's first organically
grown, sulfite free Pinot noir in 1991.
"Our first goal was to make a good Pinot noir,
so we chose a vineyard with a proven track record for quality fruit
that also happened to be organic," said Winemaker Myron Redford.
"Our own Italian prune orchard at home is organically certified.
Our desire to produce an organic wine is a natural extension of
that interest." Redford continues, "I also think that
people who are sensitive to or just prefer sulfite free wine should
have the benefit of wine produced by a winery known for quality.
The challenge was to make a wine about whicih
people say "this is a good Pinot noir", not "this is good, for a
sulfite-free Pinot noir." I was convinced that with good grapes
and careful cellar practices we could get a good Pinot noir in the
bottle without sulfites and we did! "
The wine is well received with positive reviews
in Seattle Post Ingelligencer, the Salem Statesman Journal, Oregon
and Connoisseurs Guide to California Wines.
First Year Planted: 1970
Total Acres Planted: 12.2
Pinot noir: 7 acres
Riesling: 3 acres
Pinot blanc: 2.2 acres (grafted on 18 yr old Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer)
Year Bonded: 1976 Bonded Winery Number: BW-ORE-60
Location: 45 miles southwest of Portland,
Oregon, on Hwy 99W, one mile NW of Amity, Oregon, on a south facing
saddle rising from 450-600 ft. elevation.
Soil: Clay Loam (Yamhill Series)
Orientation: South-Southwest
Degree Days: 2400-2600
Harvest Dates: Earliest-September 10, Latest -
November 22
Average Brix at Harvest, by Variety:
Pinot noir: 21.5 - 22
Pinot blanc: 19.5 - 21.5
Riesling: 19
Winery Production Capacity: 34,000 gallons
Source of Grapes: Amity Vineyards (Estate Grapes), Sunnyside Vineyards
and Seven Springs Vineyards, Amity; Bois Jolie, Cattrall, Crannell,
Dauenhauer and JMD Vineyards, Amity; Hyland Vineyards, McMinnville;
Schouten Vineyards, Sheridan; Helmick Hill Vineyard, Dallas and
Stater Vineyards, Dundee. Our labels routinely identify the vineyard
source for grapes. All of our vineyards are located in Oregon.
The Amity Vineyards 2007 Eco Wine Pinot noir is both organic and sulfite free. Amity was one of the first wineries in the country to actively promote a Pinot noir that was both organic and could be
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Amity Vineyards Cuvee Pinot Noir 07 is an outstanding value. Fragrant aromas of bright red fruit and fir forest lead into a delectably juicy array of fresh raspberry, cherry candy, and sun-ripened st ...read more
Intense and rich with good acid and big tannin structure, which will allow it to cellar for the next 10-15 years. A very complex nose of black cherry, plum, earth and spice leads into a well balanced ...read more >>
Marechal Foch has a smoky, earthy nose with hints of currants and dark fruit. In the mouth it is a rich wine dominated by ripe fruit, chocolate & coffee flavors. It is ideal for pastas, black beans, a ...read more
Fruity red pie cherry and toasty oak. Refreshing, crisp, balanced.
Brooks Tish, Statesman Journal, Salem Oregon:
"This winery really has a handle on making fruity young red wines. Previous vi ...read more
A great wine that could be compared to a German Auslese. The nose is dominated by honey with touches of citrus. In the mouth it is smooth and luscious with delightful tastes of honey, peach and melon. ...read more
Sweet, aromatic, rich and creamy wine with lingering lychee nut flavors. Serve by itself, with very spicy Thai or Asian dishes, or with pungent cheeses. ...read more
A big wine, for Riesling, with tons of flavor and luscious round mouth feel. One of the hits of the 2007 Alsace Varietals Festival in CA. ...read more
A nose loaded with citrus, honeysuckle, and hints of rose, leads into a luscious, full well balanced wine. This Riesling will match well with Prosciutto and melon, mild white fish, fragrant lemongrass ...read more
Aromas of melon, lavender and quince dominate the nose. In the mouth it is delightfully crisp and full bodied. It finishes with a long citrus/lemon after taste. It is an incredibly versatile wine goin ...read more
A rich, dry wine with a spicy, floral nose. ...read more
Amity's Pinot noir made from Shouten Vineyard fruit from the 2004 vintage. Limited. ...read more
sold out ...read more >>
A very complex wine with plenty of spice and raspberry in the nose that carries throughout the whole wine.
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A nose loaded with fruit leads into a round, fleshy wine. It pairs well with bar-b-que and seafood served with tomato or spicy sauces. ...read more >>