We celebrate Women’s History Month by featuring 2 roses made by female winemakers.
Encouraging quality and innovation, Elena Walch stands at the head of the Alto Adige quality revolution and has garnered local and international esteem for her efforts. An architect by trade, Walch married into one of the oldest and most significant wine families of the region and brought new, modern concepts to the traditional establishment. Today, the responsibility for the family business is being passed from Elena into the hands of her daughters, Julia and Karoline Walch, already the fifth generation, who carry on their mother’s philosophy – dedication to terroir and sustainability.
Melissa Burr of Stoller Family Estate was raised in the Willamette Valley. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree, Melissa intended to practice naturopathic medicine before discovering her true passion lay in wine. She studied winemaking and fermentation science at OSU and interned during harvest for several local wineries before becoming production winemaker for Cooper Mountain. In 2003, Melissa joined Stoller Family Estate as the winery’s first dedicated winemaker. She enjoys the creative and natural process of winemaking and the dynamic nature of the Oregon wine industry. The constant evolution of every new vintage pushes her to learn more about her craft. She is now Vice President of Winemaking, and there are two other women playing important roles at Stoller; Kate Payne-Brown is now their winemaker and Erica Miller is their Viticulturalist.
Think Pink! Carrie Upson General Manager
About the Winery: The 150-year-old cellar is sustainably built underground with natural stone. Today, the Walch family modernizes these hand-crafted wines whilst maintaining respect for the environment and harmony with nature.
About the winemaking: The “20/26” Rosato is based on the desire to produce a rosé with balanced fruit and fresh acidity. This year the blend is Pinot Noir (for acidity and fruit), Merlot (for texture), and Lagrein (for structure, fruit, and color). The vinification was carried out using the classical “saignée” method: the must stays in contact with the skins for a short time, after which the clear, rose-colored must, with 20° Babo of sugar, is drawn off. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 26°C. The sugar content as well as the temperature of fermentation give the wine its name.
Tasting notes: With a light, salmon pink hue, elegant and fruit-driven with notes of raspberries, strawberries and a hint of citrus on the nose. Savory in style, with vibrant texture and weight.
Winemaker: Elena Walch
Price per bottle/Price per case: $20 bottle/
Suggested Food Pairing: Full bodied first courses, fish, and poultry
Stoller Family Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir
About the Winery: Located in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley in the Dundee Hills AVA, Stoller uniquely offers world class wines and genuine hospitality in a stunning setting. Owners Bill and Cathy Stoller purchased the nearly four hundred acre property, which was originally his family’s turkey farm, in 1993 and crafted the winery’s inaugural Pinot Noir in 2001. Our winery was the first in the world to achieve LEED Gold certification. As part of achieving LEED certification, we blend traditional gravity flow winemaking with energy-efficient systems to preserve the quality of the fruit and reduce our environmental footprint.
About the winemaking: Stoller is committed to leadership in sustainable winemaking practices through energy efficient systems, and the mission to reduce negative environmental impact. Not only do our scenic hills provide a breathtaking backdrop for wine tasting, they also foster traditional gravity flow winemaking. We use natural ventilation and lighting, efficient heating and cooling systems, and an efficient building envelope to reduce energy use. Located below grade on one of our many knolls, the barrel cellars are kept cool by the earth itself and stabilized through our concrete structure.
Tasting notes: The Stoller Rosé shows alluring aromatics of strawberry and kiwi. The palate displays Rainier cherries and stone fruit characteristics with mouthwatering acidity. The lingering notes of minerality on the finish will draw you back for another sip.
