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Abbey Creek Vineyard 2014 Juicy Fruit Pinot Gris
Blazing a trail for others to follow
Bertony Faustin never planned to be a winemaker. A son of Haitian immigrants and a native New Yorker, wine just wasn’t on the radar.
But after grinding out the day job for years – as a physical therapist and anesthesia tech – inspiration finally struck. His wife’s family had been growing grapes on their property in Northwest Portland since the early 1980s and selling them to local winemakers. With help from friends and neighbors, Bertony created Abbey Creek Vineyard in 2006 and makes 700-1000 cases of wine each year from the grapes on his family’s land.
Along the wine, Bertony kept getting the question – “Are you the only black winemaker in Oregon?” As it turns out, according to the Oregon Wine Board, he’s the first on record. It’s nice to blaze a trail, of course, but only if there are others following your lead.
So, Bertony launched the Red, White & Black documentary project. Working with director Jerry Bell and cinematographer Peter Fuhrman, RW&B will identify and tell the stories of minority winemakers – black, Latino, LGBT, and more. It’s an important story, and through its telling, will inspire others to follow their dreams in the wine world.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Abbey Creek Vineyard, North Plains, Oregon
2014 Juicy Fruit Pinot Gris
Sometimes, a Pinot Gris needs a little extra help from another varietal blended in. But not this 2014 edition from Abbey Creek. 2014 was one of those years that winemakers will take about for generations. Beautiful weather, gorgeous fruit, ideal conditions. And you can taste that amazing growing season in this bottle.
Winemaker Bertony Faustin calls it “Juicy Fruit” – and the reason is clear.
This Pinot Gris pops with lush ripe peach and Asian pear on the nose and on the palate. Medium dry and with a balanced acidity, the Pinot Gris grape shines through. Try it with seafood or perhaps a light and bright pasta sauce. Or, hey, just open the bottle and feel the sunshine wash over you (even in the depths of winter!)
A Cellar 503 selection in January 2016, Red White & Black: Minority Winemakers Willamette Valley | Pinot Gris
