Weekend Tastings: Oregon’s Violet Vines

Please join me this Friday, May 29th, from 3 pm to 6 pm, and Saturday, May 30th, from 1 pm to 4 pm, and taste the bright and lively wines from Oregon’s Violet Vines.

 In Vino Veritas! Dirk

Brian and April Zawada, the founders of Violet Vines, are originally from Medina, Ohio, but spent much time throughout Brian’s professional career traveling to Oregon. Sipping on elevated Pinot Noir and adventuring to new wineries in such a majestic place grew into a shared dream to create something extraordinary, to cultivate a legacy rooted in their love for nature, the art of winemaking, and each other.

After raising three boys, they took the leap to follow their dreams out west. They came upon a quite rugged piece of land in the foothills of the Coast Mountains with 88 acres of mostly untouched land and a three-acre vineyard planted to Pinot noir at the top. It was perfect. They purchased it in September 2019 and three weeks later harvested a very small 1.1-ton crop of Pinot noir grapes. Violet Vines was born!

Since then, they have absorbed everything “wine” and wear many hats in the industry. In addition to running the day-to-day business operations, Brian is the winemaker and sales director for Violet Vines.  He attended U.C. Davis, earning his certificate in Enology three years ago.  He is an Air Force Academy graduate and veteran (Let’s go, Falcons!!), and currently serves on the board of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He is also the president of the McMinnville Winegrowers Association and has recently assumed the position of tourism committee for The Willamette Valley Wineries Association.

2023 Violet Vines Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon – If you made pie filling with Golden Delicious apples and wrapped it all up in a butter crust, you might get a sense of how this Pinot Gris smells. With bouncy acidity and a lean, crisp texture, the wine’s lemon zest and salted Marcona almond flavors feel right at home. Serve with sunsets, goat cheese, crusty bread, and a picnic blanket. Wine Enthusiast: 89 $18.00

2023 Violet Vines GSM, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA, Oregon – This blend of 40% Syrah, 40% Mourvèdre, and 20% Grenache is a meaty treat that opens with aromas of black cherries and a grilled steak seasoned with black pepper, salt, and thyme. The wine feels big and rich, with flavors of cherry clafoutis and black tea, served with cream, coating the palate. Wine Enthusiast: 90 $32.00

2023 Violet Vines Albariño, Rock Bottom Vineyard, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA, Oregon – Well-made domestic Albariño isn’t something you stumble across every day. This one opens with lemon, peach, and lavender aromas, accompanied by wisps of smoky flint and sweet pea. Invigorating acidity amplifies the wine’s lemon verbena and lemon zest flavors. More people need to plant Albariño in The Rocks District! Wine Enthusiast: 91 $25.00

2023 Violet Vines Pinot Noir Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon – A fruit and citrus combination that reminded me of a blueberry scone sprinkled with orange zest was accompanied by a note of worn leather. Sandy tannins that rub the roof of the mouth the right way surround flavors of boysenberries, bitter cacao nibs, and an herbal one-two punch of sage and thyme. This medium-bodied wine is a very nice value Pinot Noir. Wine Enthusiast: 93 $23.00