Bluebird Hill Cellars
Neil and Sue Shay jumped into the wine business as part of their active retirement. They moved to the
Willamette Valley in 2010 and discovered a former Christmas tree farm that was a perfect site for growing wine
grapes. This 6-acre homestead is nestled in the southwest Coastal foothills of the Willamette Valley in the
village of Alpine, west of Monroe. This warm hilltop property enjoys gentle summer breezes with southeastern
and western-facing slopes to capture the sun’s energy.
Once the land was cleared, grapevine planting ensued. There are currently 3 acres under vine with Dijon
clones, Wadenswil clone, and Pommard clone all planted at a high density.
The wines from Bluebird Hill are produced in small lots, using a combination of traditional and modern
winemaking techniques with a focus on detail. The Pinot Noir wines are aged for a full two years in barrel prior
to bottling and the Reserve wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The winery’s website is at www.bluebirdcellars.wine. Call 541-424-2478 to order wine. The tasting room is
currently open only for bottle sales and curbside pickup through April 2021. The beautiful labels were designed
by local artist Sky Evans.
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2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.75, RS 0 g/L, 175 cases, $32. Harvest
Brix 23.1º. 85% Bluebird Hill Vineyard, 15% Zenith Vineyard. Aged in French oak barrels, 18% new.
·
Moderately
light garnet color in the glass. The nose offers aromas of cherry, espresso, graham and spice. Lighter in style,
with a charming core of dark red cherry and berry fruits touched by flavors of red licorice and baking spices.
Easygoing and easy to like, with modest tannins and a cherry-fueled finish.
Score: 89
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars South Block Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.71, RS 0 g/
L, 75 cases, $49. 100% Bluebird Hill Vineyard. Harvest Brix 23.2º. Aged in French oak barrels, 10% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of dark red raspberry and cherry,
earthy flora and sandalwood. Light to mid-weight in style, with an elegant array of dark red and purple fruits
accented with spice and vanilla. Silky on the palate, integrated fine tannins, and overall a joyous drink.
Score: 93
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars Mom’s Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.60, 83 cases, $49. 100% Bluebird
Hill Vineyard. Harvest Brix 21.3º-22.8º. Aged in French oak
barrels, 10% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass.
Shy aromas of black cherry and raspberry. More appealing on
the palate with a middleweight charge of black cherry,
blackberry, spice and floral flavors. The fruit definitely veers to
the ripe side. Somewhat boldly flavored yet refined and
polished with decent length on the finish. The nose continued to
be reserved but pleasant when tasted the following day from a
previously opened bottle.
Score: 91
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars Zenith Vineyard Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.72, RS
0 g/L, 50 cases, $49. 100% Zenith Vineyard. Harvest Brix 22.3º. Aged in French oak barrels, 15% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Reticent aromas of cherry, baking spice and cocoa. An aldehyde-driven
note of candied apple blows off with time.The light to mid-weight essence of fresh, dark red cherry is framed by
modest tannins. The wine picks up richness of flavor by the following day when re-tasted from a previously
opened bottle.
Score: 90
