Mystic Winery

Mystic Wines was founded in Oregon by Rick Mafit in 1992. Rick spent the 80’s making wine in California’s Sonoma and Mendocino counties and moved north eager to find sites where “Big Reds” -- most notably Merlot -- would thrive and where he could make wines of distinction.

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"Mystic Winery -
Gettin' Purple
with Rick Mafit"
by Alison Ruch

After scouring the state, he found The Dalles region (Columbia Valley) in the Columbia Gorge, just this side of the Washington Border. This area has a longer growing season and the heat necessary to fully ripen Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah varieties.

Dillon Mafit (Rick’s son) designed the monochromatic label printed on actual “cork” paper. The idea emulates Reserve bottlings of many small wineries in Portugal. Each label varies with the patterns created by the natural cork and the way it absorbs the sepia ink creating a uniquely attractive package. This label recently won an award for Best Use of Art in Label Design in the 2001 San Diego National Wine Competition.

Mystic Wines has been producing small quantities of Oregon Merlot since 1992. In the year 2002 they are also released limited amounts of Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and their first ever RESERVE Merlot.

The1999 Merlot was aged in French oak (about 45% new) for 24 months and bottle aged before release in late 2002. Great structure with loads of blackberry and cassis fruit, and intimations of chocolate and coffee in the finish. The wine grants both the rich fruit one looks for to enjoy now, and the guts to last well into one's future drinking pleasure!

Rick Mafit

Mystic’s first Cabernet (1997) was released in the year 2000. Similarly so with the 1998. The newest, the 1999 Vintage is another bold, dense, brooding wine that makes a great addition to a classic table where its structure and mouthfilling, elegant fruit compliment hearty fare.

Released in January 2001 was Mystic's 1999 Syrah (the winery's first!), and like their 1997 Cabernet, sold out in just a few months. The 2000 Syrah has been a classic since harvest exhibiting jammy fruit and huge, beautiful black pepper aromas.

Rick Mafit's goal is to stay small, handle the wines and winerywith is family, and produce outstanding hand-crafted wines in limited quantities. The wines are ready to drink upon release, yet will also benefit from additional cellaring. SALUTÉ!

SHOP FOR WINE

Mystic Wine Syrah 07 $21.65 Retail $19.48 Qty. 2005 Vintage Tasting Notes Mystic Syrah 05 is made from a tiny vineyard in the Columbia Gorge. Complex scents of cassis, black cherry liqueur, cedar, and intriguing hints of caraway and herbs. Juicy flavors of blac... read more

Mystic Wines Barbera 07 $27.65 Retail $24.88 Qty. The nose is earthy, with cassis and black cherry liqueur notes. First impression of the flavors is of sweet, spicy, slurpy, ripe black fruits, but the taste shifts quickly in the mouth to hints of toast, warmth, charcoal, black currant, and fin... read more

Mystic Wine Zinfandel 06 $19.95 Retail $17.95 Qty. Flowers and sweet fruit scents, with slurpable plum, black and red cherries. It's classic Zin, but with nice balance for food. The wine is made from the tiny, old vine Hillside Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge. Everything that makes Zin addictin... read more

Mystic Wines Pinot noir 05 $23.95 Retail $21.55 Qty. Robust, dark Pinot noir from Cab-Merlot-Syrah producer Mystic. Made from Temperance Hill Vineyard east of Salem.... read more

Mystic Wine Cabernet Sauvignon 05 $27.65 Retail $24.88 Qty. The wine is impressive before it's opened-you have to love the classy cork label with the funky design. Open it to discover gushing ripe plums, cassis, and dark cherries scented with lavender. With a little time in the glass, classic tobacco... read more