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Helioterra Wines 2014 Arneis
For the love of the land
How did a gal from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, grow up to become one of Oregon’s up-and-coming winemakers?
Growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan, Anne Ebenreiter Hubatch felt a deep connection to the land around her. In college, she studied geology with an eye toward becoming an environmental policy wonk. She started down that path, as a political organizer and environmental activist.
But politics doesn’t often come with tangible results, and as Anne says, “it’ll drive you to drink!”
Soon enough, her passion for the land found its expression in her hands – as a winemaker. After several years of working for well-known wineries in the Willamette Valley, Anne struck out on her own and launched her own label and her first vintage in 2009.
Of course, once an organizer, always an organizer. In addition to her own labels, Whoa Nelly! and Helioterra, Anne has helped organized Guild, a cooperative of four Portland winemakers working together to make great wine.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Helioterra Wines, Portland, Oregon
2014 Arneis
Arneis is a white varietal that is known for producing highly aromatic wines with clean, crisp notes of pear, almonds, and citrus. Grown in the Piedmont area of Northern Italy, it’s not commonly found in the Northwest. Luckily for you, Bill and Cathy Redman of Redman Vineyards were not afraid of the rascally nature of Arneis.
This month, we’re featuring a 2014 Arneis from Helioterra Wines, produced with grapes from Redman Vineyards. In the hands of star urban winemaker Anne Ebenreiter Hubatch, it’s a lively wine with aromas of jasmine and orange blossoms and a juicy palate that offers lemon custard pie, kiwi, and papaya.
Anne likes to say that “Helioterra is a champion of rare and interesting whites, which means Arneis is right in our wheelhouse!”
A Cellar 503 selection in September 2015, Unusual Varietals Ribbon Ridge | Arneis
