posted Feb 07, 2012

If the recent string of sunny weather has you ready for an outdoor stroll, come by Johan Vineyards in Rickreall, Oregon for a wine tasting treat! Just 30 miles Southeast of Spirit Mountain Casino, Johan Vineyards is the ideal excursion for those seeking an afternoon of relaxation amid the beauty that is Willamette Valley Wine Country.

Producing premium wines is in the Johan family blood. Much like his Viking relations some 1,000 years ago, Dag Johan Sundby, a native Norwegian, came to North America in 2004 to seek a new life. With a background in soil tilling, Johan began searching for the perfect “terroir,” which led him to Oregon. It is often said that Pinot Noir, perhaps more than any other varietal, is “all about place.” In the wine world, the land where the grapes are grown is believed to impart unique characteristics into the wine itself. This includes the climate, soil type and topography.

Johan Vineyards sits on 85 acres of gently sloping land right in the heart of the Valley and adjacent to the Van Duzer corridor. The unique mix of Coastal breezes and marine silt soil allow create the perfect conditions for the Burdundian varietals that Johan is known for. The winery starts with the right grapes, which is carefully handled and processed for the best elegance, balance, complexity and ageability of the wine. Currently, Johan Vineyards produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gros and Vin Gris varietals.

The wineyard is also certified biodynamic® in its growing practices, and Stellar certified organic, meaning it is committed to meticulous vineyard management practices. Biodynamic® farming methods, a unified approach to agriculture that relates the ecology of the earth-organism to that of the entire cosmos, treats an entire farm as one living organism—right down to the microbial level of the soil. This includes an extensive knowledge of premium viticultural practices, coupled with an understanding of how to treat the vineyard and its surrounding areas, in order to achieve desired long-term results.

Come taste the Johan difference! Current wines offered include 2008 and 2009 Pinot Noirs, 2009 Chardonnays, and 2009 and 2010 Pinot Gris varietals. There's always something going on in the tasting room, and the open Wine Tasting Hours are the perfect place to get informed. Stop by 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for a tour!