Southwest of Portland, Chehalem Mountains are an uplifted seabed of diverse subsoils within a countryside of rolling elevations. The name Chehalem, translates to “valley of flowers” in the Native American language, Calapooia. Bill Stoller of Stoller Family Estate in Dundee, Oregon acquired full ownership of the winery and vineyards in 2018.
Corral Creek Vineyard is planted on a sedimentary soil of Laurelwood, which is a brown, silty clay loam. Laurelwood soil can be excessively fertile, but when managed properly, it produces consistently spectacular fruit.

The 2019 Chehalem Corral Creek Pint Noir reveals a color of dark red fruit in the glass with aromas of strawberry, dried cherry, tea leaf, baking spices and a whiff of toasted oak. The palate shows bright juicy red fruit, wonderful texture, tannins that are polished and good balance with a slightly tart edge. The bright fruit combined with fresh acidity shines through to a long finish. The Corral Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir could use a few years of cellaring to flesh out, open and achieve more balance. It is all there for this beautifully made Pinot Noir. It is a top-notch selection for your cellar.
By Perry Miroballi