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Capitello Wines 2021 White Pinot Noir
Spinning the globe top to bottom
Like a lot of Kiwis, Ray Walsh left New Zealand to explore the world shortly after college. Traipsing about Europe, he ran out of cash while in Germany. So, broke and curious, he picked up some work in the vineyards in Mosel. And like a lot of folks who get their hands dirty in a vineyard, a passion was sparked.
Before long, Ray moved back home to New Zealand. But the wanderlust continued.
For nearly three decades, Ray has split his time between Oregon and New Zealand – working two growing seasons, two harvests, and two crushes a year. That’s one way to accelerate your experience! (Not to mention always chasing the edge of the summer and fall – and skipping the rainy winter/spring months.)
Oregon’s known for Pinot Noir and New Zealand’s famous for Sauvignon Blanc. Ray’s answer? Make both wines in both places! Ray and his partner, Jen, make their wine and the wines of a few other local wineries in a shared space in downtown Eugene. Their darling urban tasting room is right around the corner. Put them on your travel itinerary!
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Capitello Wines, Eugene, Oregon
2021 White Pinot Noir
I still love to pour Pinot Noir Blanc wines for folks. It always takes a minute for their minds to adjust. Wait, this isn’t red? Nope! These wines are perfect for hot summer days when you really want your favorite red but can’t stand the idea of drinking something that isn’t perfectly chilled.
The folks at Capitello picked the grapes for this wine on the early side and then treated them like white grapes. They very lightly pressed them allowing for mostly “free-run” juice resulting in this light, pretty, floral wine.
You’ll get aromas of white flowers, jasmine, roses, and nectarines. And you’ll get flavors of delicate rose petals, just ripe Mt. Hood strawberries, and the flavor of a juicy white nectarine. The hints of Pinot Noir are there, but this is perfect creamy pastas, seared salmon or roasted chicken.
A Cellar 503 selection in February 2023, Urban Wineries Willamette Valley | Pinot Noir
