Walter Scott Spring Release
Walter Scott Spring Release | 2022
Grilled Sicilian lemons | Wet gravel | Lightning storm on the Oregon coast
Hidden Chanterelles | Tender blackberries on the side of the country road
With over a thousand wineries in Oregon, it can be hard to navigate nuance. A fundamental tone rings from Eola-Amity, the high frequency of Walter Scott Wines can not be turned off! Pull the cork on the new 2022 vintage and fall into the electrifying depth of Oregon wine.
These two know great wine.
Power couple Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon established Walter Scott Wines in 2014, naming it after two influential people in Ken’s life. Walter and Scott come from two generations of Ken’s family, reminding us all that today is the best day of your life, live adventurously and strive to make your dreams become reality. With an impressive track record in the Oregon wine industry, the couple decided to do the damn thing and make their own wine. Ken worked alongside Patrica Green, Dominique Lafon, and represented world-class wines while Erica was an influential Sommelier and a notable wine educator working at some of Portland’s top restaurants.
—Intentional connection—
Across the Eola-Amity Hills, roots grow deep through fractured basalt and the ancient compressed Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by volcanic and marine sedimentary soils that date back 500,000 years, the vision of producing world class fruit is close to home. Walter Scott’s commitment to making great wine starts with their incredible relationships with growers. The growers are not only hard working, (some farming biodynamically, twice the work as conventional farming) they are all working with an extensive care and connection to dirt under their feet.
THE WINES | 2022
“At Walter Scott, we are obsessed with Chardonnay. By farming with intention, practicing precision in our cellar, and holding ourselves to the hightest worldwide standards for quality, Walter Scott is redefining modern Chardonnay in the Willamette Valley.”
-Erica, Ken, Jess
As the vintages pass, Walter Scott is moving toward producing more Chardonnay then Pinot Noir. Obsessed, truly. We are here for it!
Biodynamic leaders Kevin and Carla Chambers have been implementing unconventional farming in Oregon since the 1980s. One of the most unique vineyard that exists in the Eola-Amity Hills is Koosah farm. Steeply-sloped and very rocky, elevation here starts at 720 feet and goes up to 1080 feet! Team Walter Scott jokes that this is the site you have to go sample fruit from if you are acting up in the cellar (a workout punishment!) This Chardonnay is grown on the steepest part of the vineyard. Lightning strikes as you bite into a crunchy white tangerine. Angular and proud, this is a special site that has caught the attention of a big Burgundy producer. Oregon producers like Walter Scott will have to find a new vineyard to work with in a few years. Enjoy now, save the memories for later. $79.00
Step into this dry-farmed organic vineyard! Denny Peseau has been farming in Eola-Amity since the 1970’s! Obsessed with a rocky slope, he decided to purchase a volcanic clay acreage and Sojeau was established. You can feel the power and weight of this Chardonnay. Imagine concrete breaking around fresh chamomile. My tasting notes contain one word “pretty”. $79.00
“Oregon makes wine, Napa makes auto parts” hangs on the wall of a wine supply shop in Newberg. A funny saying that suggests some friendly west coast competition. After decades of making wine in California, the Williams family began exploring land in the Eola-Amity Hills, eventually planting a incredibly diverse vineyard we know as X Novo. Acid power comes walking in, ten toes down! Striking with beautiful yellow roses, the warming sense of grilled lemons focuses your attention to the bottom of the glass. $100.00
“La Combe Verte” Chardonnay, Willamette Valley
Never had Walter Scott? Never had Oregon Chardonnay?? Start here. La Combe Verte is a blend of 5 vineyards Walter Scott works directly with, showcasing the power that lies in the soil and wind in the hands of Chardonnay lovers. Freedom Hill, Hyland, Koosah, Sojeau, and Witness Tree vineyard team up for this abundance of quality. "La Combe Verte" translates to the green valley, and is a tribute to both the Willamette Valley and to Patricia Green Cellars, who helped Ken and Erica start their dream. $33.00
You feel it, don’t you? Each year summer seems a bit warmer than the last. Spring is coming earlier and the winters have been… icy. The earth is physically telling us she is changing! In the wine world, growers have shifted their focus to sites that will be a positive for the changing climate. Koosah Vineyard at its high elevation is protected by the afternoon sun, making this an ideal site to grow Pinot Noir. Subtle power and concentration balance the fresh and gentle tannins. Burgundy producer Louis Jadot will soon be the owner of this site, soak up what you can from Oregon producers working with this unique vineyard. $79.00
The Van Duzer Corridor wind blows directly into the middle of X Novo Vineyard everyday. Diversity of Pinot Noir clones are planted throughout, making it high competition in the vineyard. The planting of 15 different clones is the Williams secret recipe, just blend them together and taste the results. Wild lilac and elderberries dance on top of the forested floor. This wine is a 10/10. Ocean’s favorite. $79.00
“La Combe Verte” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Outstanding introduction to Walter Scott Pinot Noir, if you’re curious! A blend of 5 different vineyards located in the Eola-Amity Hills. Distraction, Freedom Hill, Sojeau, Temperance Hill, and Witness Tree vineyard are all graced by the Van Duzer Corridor’s winds each day. Think of this wine as the first bunch of summer flowers you bring to a dinner party. Lush and beautiful. Something everyone can appreciate. $33.00
2021 Offerings | Limited quantities available
A 5-star vintage for the Willamette Valley, E&R is happy to offer a limited amount of Walter Scott 2021’s. Despite the heat dome of 2021, these wines offer great concentration and lift, making it a wonderful wine for now and to hold on to for 15-20 years.
Located in one of the newest AVA’s of the Willamette Valley, Mt. Pisgah of Polk County is distinctly dry farmed organic. An iconic vineyard planted in 1981, the Dusschee family continues with second generation sustainable farming. On the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range, the vines sit on Bellpine loam soil. This chardonnay is packed with acid and high minerality. Zippy and dynamic, it's lightning in a bottle! $79.00
Hyland Vineyard Chardonnay 2021
One of the oldest and largest vineyards in Oregon, Hyland is 100% biodynamic. Located in McMinnville, fruit comes from one of the oldest vines (1979!) on the site. It is powerful and delicate, like the sea. $79.00
Justice Vineyard Chardonnay 2021
Located in Walter Scott’s literal back yard! After years of asking Ted Casteel of Bethel Heights to work with the fruit from this incredible vineyard, he said yes. Today, the two families share plots of chardonnay and pinot noir, alternating rows. This wine is like cruising up Bethel Heights road on a spring rainy day. Soak in the wet cement and smell the crunchy nectarine. $79.00
This was Ken’s 28th vintage working with Freedom Hill. Scooping from the bowl of the vineyard, the tension and precision is ever present. Inviting layers of moody raspberry and violets. Gravelly minerality is balanced with a velvet mouth feel making this wine go down easy. $79.00
Justice Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Just a straight up classic Oregon Pinot Noir. So classic it makes you think of other classic Oregon goods, like marionberry, summer fresh black cherries, and the beginnings of the Oregon wine industry. Unique texture is a powerhouse, the lights are on! $79.00
Sojeau Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
This vineyard sits in the bullseye of the Van Duzer corridor. Windy nights and sunny afternoons! The wine translates the wild energy of the site. Clone diversity is the key to beautiful complexity. Mt. Hood strawberries are balanced with soy sauce and an allure of tea. One of our favorites.$79.00