2022 Kelley Fox Nerthus Willamette Valley

I’m excited to offer you this delicious wine made of 34% Early Muscat, 34% Pinot gris, 18% Riesling, and 14% Pinot blanc. This year, I decided to whole cluster press all of the fruit at picking except for a couple of fermenters of skin-contact Pinot gris (one pigeage per day, pressed at dryness). Because of the timing of picks this year, each component was fermented separately, and the final wine was blended after all wines were finished. It was allowed to complete malolactic fermentation. Élevage was in stainless tanks until bottling.

This Nerthus is brilliant, transparent pale peach in colour with hints of pale pink. It’s visually very pleasing and the nose and mouth are even more so. The nose is full of fresh peach and honeysuckle notes along with powdery minerality. Though bone dry, there is mouth-watering peach character that is carried nicely by the refreshing acidity and lovely texture. This alpine-fresh wine is a real joybringer. It feels like spring, and I wholeheartedly enjoy making this wine every year.

Appellation: Willamette Valley A.V.A.

Picking Dates: Early Muscat, two sources: franc de pied vines planted in 1982 at Eola Springs Vineyard (7 October) and Willig Vineyard (29 September). Durant Vineyard Pinot gris (1993): 7 October. Weber Vineyard Pinot Gris (franc de pied 1983): 14 October. Resplendor Vineyard Pinot blanc: 22 October. Barnes Vineyard Riesling: 30 October

Élevage: 5 months in stainless tanks

Bottling Date: 16 March 2023

Alcohol: 12.5 %

Cases Produced: 1810