Ribbon Ridge's Utopia Vineyard & Winery grow and produce premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other varietals. For this winery however, it is not only about producing good wine, but also building a community, which fosters knowledge and appreciation of wine. We were delighted to visit this winery during our August Wine Media pre-conference tour #WMC21. Dan Warnshuis, owner of Utopia, hosted our pre-conference tour of the Ribbon Ridge AVA.
Utopia Estate Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge AVA © Spaswinefood
Welcome to Utopia © Spaswinefood
Utopia is located in that extra special Ribbon Ridge American Viticultural Area (AVA). This sub-AVA within the Willamette Valley was established July 1, 2005. Since then Oregon's smallest AVA has become one of the most prestigious wine growing regions in the world. Ribbon Ridge, 3.5-mile long by 1.75-mile wide is a ridge that extends from the Chehalem Mountains. This AVA rises from the Chehalem Valley floor, giving it an island-like appearance. Here the growing conditions allow longer, cooler growing seasons, making it ideal for delicate varietals like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay that are grown at Utopia. Ribbon Ridge’s island-like characteristics, and its proximity to surrounding landmasses, help shield and protect this viticultural area from the extremes, affecting other agricultural microclimates in the Willamette Valley. During our visit to Utopia we tasted their Pinot Noir Blanc, Pinot Noir (2017, 2015, and 2013), Pinot and Chardonnay.
Grape Spotting, Utopia Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Utopia Wine Time
We were welcomed with a glass of Pinot Noir Blanc Bliss 2018 when we arrived at Utopia.A Glass of Pinot Noir Blanc © Spaswinefood
Utopia Vineyard, Pinot Noir Blanc Bliss, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2018
Utopia Vineyard, Pinot Noir Blanc Bliss, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2018 © Spaswinefood
This wine was so refreshing and was so welcomed on this hot August afternoon. Next a Utopia Chardonnay was served.
Utopia Vineyard, Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2015
Utopia Vineyard, Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2015 © Spaswinefood
The remaining wines were three Estate Pinot Noir wines and a Reserve Pinot Noir. Utopia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2013, 2015 & 2017
Utopia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2013, 2015 & 2017 © Spaswinefood
Utopia Vineyard, Eden Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2015
Utopia Vineyard, Eden Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2015 © Spaswinefood
Utopia's wines, especially their Pinot Noir wines, are fantastic. This is not surprising given Ribbon Ridge, is one of the most decorated AVA's, with 90+ scores according to Wine Advocate. For example in 1) 2017, 88% of the Ribbon Ridge wines were rated 90+ (89% of those were for Pinot Noir), and 2) 2018, Ribbon Ridge continued to net the highest scores of all AVAs as rated by the Wine Advocate (87% of the wines submitted receiving 90+ scores). Located in a region noted for its award wining wines perhaps it is no surprise that Utopia Wines is on that list. Clearly, we were motivated to checkout Ribbon Ridge on a recent Wine Media pre-conference tour #WMC21.
Besides tasting those awesome wines there was sushi to enjoy!
Sushi Time, Utopia Vineyard © Spaswinefood
A vineyard visit was definitely in order after wine and sushi.Utopia Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Dan's Utopia Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Vineyard visits always lead to great discussions, even on a hot afternoon. Besides, how could we not checkout the grapes?
August Grapes, Utopia Vineyard © Spaswinefood
A Day Before
We did mange to do a brief visit to Utopia the day before. After a welcoming glass of wine at Domaine Divio, along the way to dinner, we stopped at Utopia Estate for a brief tour with owner Dan Warnshuis (winemaker, vineyard manager, and of course a key leader of the Ribbon Ridge AVA). Indeed having Dan as our host for our #WMC 21 pre-conference tour was awesome!
Utopia Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Next, it was onto a Ribbon Ridge AVA hosted Winemaker Dinner at the Allison Inn. This included a 3-course meal co-hosted by Taste Newberg and The Allison Inn & Spa, with wines donated by the Ribbon Ridge AVA. The wine pairings were Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. Utopia Vineyard wines were amongst the wines served at dinner.
Tasting Ribbon Ridge Chardonnays © Spaswinefood
Utopia Vineyard, Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2017
Utopia Vineyard, Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2017 © Spaswinefood
Utopia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2015
Utopia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2015 © Spaswinefood
Tasting wines from Domaine Divio and Utopia Vineyard paired with food illustrated the excellent collaboration within the Ribbon Ridge wine community.
Utopia's Dan Warnshuis © Spaswinefood
Put Utopia Vineyard & Winery, on your must visit list of wineries in the Willamette Valley. It is a very special place to experience passion for Ribbon Ridge wines. Beyond doing a regular tasting their Utopian Tasting Society offers wine enthusiasts a three level approach to exploring their wines. For those who want a wine country retreat checkout the option of staying in their log cabin. During a Willamette Valley Wine Country visit you will find other Ribbon Ridge wineries to visit in the Newberg area. Oregon is now the third largest wine producer in the country. Oregon has four wine country regions, with 17 appellations and over 450 wineries. The largest wine region is the Willamette Valley, which consists of six appellations. We invite you to join us in our Oregon wine country travels and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. Utopia Vineyard © Spaswinefood
Touring Utopia © Spaswinefood
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