Over 40 years of wine making has taught Ken a simple truth: source is everything. Located, in rural Carlton, Oregon, Ken Wright Cellars is devoted to producing wine that showcase the inherent quality of world class vineyard sites. With a clarity and breadth that is unequaled, Pinot noir is the ultimate vehicle for conveying the aroma, flavor and texture of the location in which it is grown.

In 1986, with family, belongings and 10 barrels in tow, Ken moved to McMinnville and started Panther Creek Cellars. His concept of focusing on vineyard-designate bottling began during those years at Panther Creek and this was cemented as a core philosophy in 1994 when Ken Wright Cellars was founded. Ken Wright Cellars now produces a single vineyard Pinot Noir from 13 different vineyard sites in the Northern Willamette Valley.

Our approach to the craft of wine growing is one of stewardship rather than manipulation. We use organic certified practices as a base and expand upon that with advanced nutrition-based farming. By analyzing both our soil profile and vines, maintaining proper crop levels, personally sampling each vineyard, and hand-sorting each cluster, we ensure that the inherent character in the fruit is revealed in the finished wine. Minimal handling of wine is essential to preserve what it is; a gift of nature.

Shaped by millions of years of plate subduction and volcanic activity, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is one of the premier Pinot noir producing areas in the world. The Willamette Valley AVA was established in 1983, with the initial vineyard plantings beginning in 1966. This 100-mile long, 60-mile wide valley stretches between the Columbia River in the north, to just south of Eugene with the Oregon Coast Range in the west and the Cascade Mountains in the East. Due to the protection of the mountains on eastern and western boundaries, the Willamette Valley is a cooler climate region that provides for a long, gentle growing season, perfect for deliciously complex Pinot noir.

Parent Material: Marine Sediments & Volcanic Rock

Soil Series: Willakenzie, Melbourne & Wellsdale, Nekia & Jory

Vineyards: All of the vineyards for this wine are located in the sub-AVA's of the Northern Willamette Valley AVA.

Vintage: Our crop level averaged just under three tons this year which was perfect for the accumulated heat we experienced over the growing season. Disease was nonexistent with the dry conditions of the summer months and the fermentation's proceeded perfectly with nary a one going "sideways" on us. The 2021 wines are rich, expressive, detailed and deeply colored.

Winemaker Notes
A brilliant core of red and bramble fruits dances with hints of cedar, passion fruit, rose petal, and turned earth. The palate is balanced, with a plush texture and a vibrant, juicy finish.

Farming: Sustainable, nutrition-based farming, and organic certified

Aging Regime: Matured in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak barrels.

ABV: 13.0%

pH: 3.52

TA: 5.4 g/L

A-8