January 1, 2009
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Shea Wine Cellars
| Owner(s) | Dick Shea, Diedra Shea |
| Web site | www.sheawinecellars.com |
| Link to this site |
Shea Vineyard now consists of 200 hillside acres, of which 140 acres are planted to Pinot Noir and 5 acres to Chardonnay. The vineyard faces south at an elevation of 320 to 625 feet and is divided into two hills, named East and West separated by a valley containing native plants and trees. The original vines of Pommard and Wädenswil clones were planted on their own roots. Inevitably, phylloxera afflicted the vineyard and planned replanting progressed over the ensuing years, reaching completion in 2005. The newer plantings include the Dijon clones 114, 115, 777 and 828. The vineyard has never been irrigated except for new plantings during the first year.
Grapes from this impeccably maintained site are highly sought after by many of Oregon’s top wineries including: Andres’s Vat, Antica Terra, Beaux Freres, Bergstrom, Broadley, Elk Cove, Francis Tannahill, J.K. Carrier, Ken Wright Cellars, Panther Creek Cellars, Penner-Ash, Raptor Ridge, Revana, Stevenson- Barrie, Scott Paul Wines, St. Innocent and Tori Mor. In the past, grapes were sent to Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non in California (last vintage 2003), but now grapes sent to California go to Loring Wine Co., Pali Wine Co., and Auteur.
Since 1996, Dick has had his own label, Shea Wine Cellars. 20% of the vineyard production is held back for Dick’s own label. There have been several winemakers. Experienced tasters have talked about a certain “Shea-ness” that seems to be expressed in the wines from this vineyard. A consistent floral aroma and a dark red fruit character with spice seems unusually clear and unique to this vineyard.
The Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noirs are designated as Estate (a blend of several blocks), block or clone designates which vary from year to year, and a special reserve wine labeled “Homer.” Dick Shea is a baseball fan, but bears no relation to Shea Stadium in New York. Dick’s wife and business partner, Diedre Shea. often compares Dick to Homer Simpson, so the name “Homer” has dual meaning. The Homer cuvee is from the best barrels and is the most voluptuous of the lineup, needing several years to reach its prime drinking window. The Shea Wine Cellar Pinot Noirs have become a cult-classic collectible, eagerly sought after by Shea aficionados on the winery’s mailing list.
Articles About Shea Wine Cellars
Reviewed Wines
2006 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.75% alc., $75.
·
A precocious wine that is
highly aromatic featuring black cherries, raisin, mocha and herbs. Intense and lush chocolate-covered black
cherry fruit that lasts and lasts on the finish. Excellent now but still showing primary fruit and will get even
better in a couple of years.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Chardonnay
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard Estate Willamette
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2005 Shea Wine Cellars Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
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2005 Shea Wine Cellars East Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
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2005 Shea Wine Cellars Pommard Clone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
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2005 Shea Wine Cellars Wädenswil Clone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2004 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2003 Shea Wine Cellars Block 23 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2003 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2002 Shea Wine Cellars Block 23 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
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2002 Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard Block 32 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
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2002 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2001 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2006 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.75% alc., $75. · A precocious wine that is highly aromatic featuring black cherries, raisin, mocha and herbs. Intense and lush chocolate-covered black cherry fruit that lasts and lasts on the finish. Excellent now but still showing primary fruit and will get even better in a couple of years. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard Willamette Valley Chardonnay
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard Estate Willamette
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Shea Wine Cellars East Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Pommard Clone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
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2005 Shea Wine Cellars Wädenswil Clone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2005 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2004 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2003 Shea Wine Cellars Block 23 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2003 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2002 Shea Wine Cellars Block 23 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2002 Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard Block 32 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2002 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
2001 Shea Wine Cellars Homer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Subscribe now for full access to all tasting and production notes.
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