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Helioterra Wines 2016 Mourvèdre
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.
In addition to her wine labels, Whoa Nelly! and Helioterra, Anne has become a leader in the wine industry and a mentor to many up-and-coming winemakers.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Helioterra Wines, Portland, Oregon
2016 Mourvèdre
This is only the second Mourvèdre we’ve featured in Cellar 503. Mourvèdre has historically been a blending grape, suffering silently among its more renowned cousins. But in the last few decades, as GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) became more common, it gained its own reputation. And now, we’re seeing more and more wineries bottle 100% Mourvèdre. One reason to try them whenever you can? Mourvèdre is known for strongly reflecting the character of the land in which it is grown.
This particular wine comes from Heart of the Hill Vineyard in the heart of Red Mountain AVA, part of the massive bi-state Columbia Valley AVA. Winemakers called 2016 the longest harvest they can remember. The extended growing season allowed the grapes to ripen slowly which imparts more character to the grapes.
This Mourvèdre is bursting with dark blueberries, fresh ground pepper, and wild thyme. The wine is rustic, but explodes with bright acid and finishes with soft tannins.
A Cellar 503 selection in June 2023, Past, Present, Future Columbia Valley | Mourvèdre
