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    Urban Bliss Life » Travel » Wine Country » Knudsen Vineyards

    Published: September 30, 2015 / Updated: May 5, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Knudsen Vineyards

    In the world of winemaking, Oregon is still very young compared to much of the rest of the world. Yet we still have a rich history full of fascinating players and stories to be told, including that of Knudsen Vineyard.

    One of the things I love most about Oregon, is that from the very beginning and still very much to this day, winegrowing and winemaking is more often than not a family business. View from Knudsen Vineyard on UrbanBlissLife.com
    In 1971, Oregon wine country pioneers Cal and Julia Lee Knudsen purchased a 200-acre walnut grove and turned the property into what is now Knudsen Vineyards, one of the oldest and largest vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Over the next 30 years, they, along with their three sons and daughter, produced Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling grapes. Knudsen Vineyards
    Cal and another Oregon wine pioneer, Dick Erath, formed the Knudsen Erath Winery in 1975. For a decade the two produced award winning wines from the adjoining Knudsen and Erath vineyards.

    Knudsen Erath pinot noir

    In 1987, Knudsen began providing grapes for Argyle Winery. To this day, Knudsen Vineyard grapes are used to make Argyle's Spirithouse Pinot Noir as well as two vineyard-designated sparkling wines, Argyle Knudsen Vineyards Brut and Argyle Blanc de Blancs.
    argyle blanc de blancs

    The partnership with Argyle continues further as Argyle's winemaker, Nate Klosterman, and Argyle's founding winemaker (now consultant) Rollin Soles, are working together to make wines that Knudsen Vineyards is producing under its own label.

    Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a luncheon at Knudsen Vineyards with two of Cal and Julie Lee's children, Colin Knudsen and Page Knudsen Cowles.
    Knudsen Vineyard on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Together with their brothers David and Cal Jr., Page and Colin hold shared ownership of Knudsen Vineyards. They're committed to staying true to their father's passion for winemaking, and are focused on producing small batches of wine each year, with gradual instead of accelerated growth.

    The Knudsen Vineyard label first graced a 2012 Pinot Noir. The initial 125 cases sold out in just a couple of weeks.
    knudsen vineyards chardonnay

    The 2013 Chardonnay ($45)  was released earlier this spring, and is still available in limited supply. It's a light, refreshing wine with hints of peach and pear notes, and bright but not overpowering acidity. It pairs well with the chilled corn bisque we enjoyed at the luncheon, but I imagine it would also be delightful with most cold appetizers, including a spicy ahi tuna crisp or seafood ceviche.

    Knudsen Vineyard on UrbanBlissLife.com
    Knudsen Vineyard on UrbanBlissLife.com

    250 cases of the 2013 Knudsen Vineyards Pinot Noir were produced, and we enjoyed this wine at the luncheon paired with Pinot braised chicken thighs with pepperonata and cherry-braised kale. This pairing was excellent: the flavors all complemented each other smoothly.

    Knudsen Vineyard on UrbanBlissLife.com

    The Knudsen heirs do have expansion plans, but from what they shared with us at this luncheon, they seem tempered, with more long-term planning compared to many surrounding counterparts, which I think is a smart move based on the Oregon wine industry growth patterns and general current economic purchasing patterns. Their wines are expertly developed and are ideal refined wines for dinner with friends over beautifully prepared meals. These are wines that you can tell were not rushed, and are aptly made to be enjoyed at a refreshingly un-rushed, deep conversation, breathe-in-the-air-and-slowly-take-in-the-wine type of leisurely pace.

    While the 2012 Pinot Noir was slightly more elegant than the 2013, I, for one, truly enjoyed the 2013 Knudsen Vineyards Pinot Noir. And, I have a feeling that the 2014 will be event better. I can't wait for that release! For more information about Knudsen Vineyards and to join their mailing list to stay up-to-date on their newest releases, visit knudsenvineyards.com.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Erin says

        October 01, 2015 at 10:00 am

        Wow that is beautiful! What a great lunch!

        Reply
      2. Kelley says

        September 30, 2015 at 9:34 pm

        I have Argyle sparkling wine in my fridge right now, and I had never heard of Knudson, either. Love those plates --looks like Deruta.

        Reply
      3. Dawne says

        September 30, 2015 at 6:41 pm

        What a great luncheon. I have never tried Knudsen, so obviously will be adding this to my next wine tasting adventure which seem to be happening more often lately.

        Reply
      4. Pech says

        September 30, 2015 at 7:53 pm

        I always enjoy how you profile the people and story behind the wine, not just the wine!

        Reply
      5. Melinda says

        September 30, 2015 at 7:31 pm

        I've never heard of Knudson's, but I have had both Erath and Argyle, so I'm sure that I've had wine made from their grapes before. It sounds like a wonderful luncheon!

        Reply

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! If you're looking for easy, fast, delicious family-friendly recipes, wine pairings, and travel tips, you've come to the right place! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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