Are you finding that you are reaching more for white wines this summer? You are not alone! White and rose still and sparkling wines served chilled to ward off the summer heat all qualify. Just this year the Willamette Valley of Oregon has been host to all of these white wine festivals:
- Gruner Veltliner: a lovely Austrian grape celebrated at Raptor Ridge Winery at Gruner Fest in April alongside oysters and 11 other wineries for the third year in 2026
- Aligote, the secondary white grape of Burgundy, France (Bourgogne for the fancy people!) behind the more famous Chardonnay grape celebrated at Balsall Creek Winery in May with 12 producers.
- Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc Fest at Durant Winery in April for the fourth year gathering 20 local producers of this trending white wine-eclipsing Chardonnay which has long dominated the white wine market
- Method Oregon: Celebrating champagne method sparkling wines in July hosted at several wineries including Argyle and Domaine Willamette showcasing dozens of Oregon sparkling wine producers adhering to a strict standard of origin, production and farming
- Albariño: a grape famous in Galicia region of Spain celebrating with Albacore tuna called Alba & Alba happening for the first time August 1 in McMinnville with 14 versions from around the world including Abacela Winery which pioneered planting Albariño in Roseberg Oregon in 2000. For tickets and more info
- Summer of Riesling annual celebration at Varnum Vintners on August 8, long-time promoter of all styles of this ancient varietal from Germany, fermenting all variations from dry to super sweet and sparkling too!
In other news Jackson Family Wines purchased Big Salt brand of white wine blends from local Newberg based Ovum Wines in March reported here by The Oregonian. What is so special about their wines? According to Michael Alberty, journalist and wine writer for The Oregonian and Wine Enthusiast:
“Big Salt specializes in dry white wine blends featuring aromatic grape varieties such as riesling, gewürztraminer and muscat. The wines are highly coveted for their energetic acidity, minimal intervention during winemaking and affordable pricing. “
Why? Orchestrated by Eugenia Keegan iconic wine maven of the Willamette Valley,
initially wanted to buy more Sauvignon Blanc grapes but couldn’t find enough acreage in the Pacific Northwest:
For Keegan, buying the Big Salt brand was an easy decision. “JFW had the money, and we wanted to work with new varieties, old vineyards and interesting blends,” Keegan said.
What Next and The Take Away
The world is full of hundreds of white wine grapes-once you have tried all these, keep looking! Take a wine vacation and taste at new wineries, visit your local wine store that hosts tastings, visit a new part of the wine world from Europe to South America to Australia-New Zealand.
Just last week a tour guest mentioned a favorite Italian white: Grillo that I didn’t know about and now need to track down!
In the photo above my guests are enjoying a visit at Bells Up Winery where owner/winemaker Dave Specter planted the only vineyard in Willamette Valley of Seyval Blanc, a white grape common as a sweet wine in the Finger Lakes District of New York State, but fermented dry here as a delicious and unique still and sparkling wine!
You will never run out of wines to try- wine is a builder of community, a food enhancer and when you meet winemakers who are passionate about their craft the wine tastes better.
Drink responsibly and never drink and drive.
Cheers and happy wine hunting!
Michele & John
Photo Credit: Bells Up Winery, Newberg, OR
