Ep 273 – Oregon Wine Beyond Pinot Noir: The Regions, Grapes & Wines You Need to Know with Samantha Cole-Johnson

Think Oregon is all about Pinot Noir? Think again. In this episode I'm joined by Samantha Cole-Johnson, Senior US Editor at JancisRobinson.com and the Master of Wine student who achieved the highest mark in the world in Stage One of the notoriously challenging MW programme, to uncover the side of Oregon that most people never discover.  From cross-border wine regions that ignore state lines to savoury Syrah grown on basalt cobblestones, richer styles of Pinot Gris and a brand-new sparkling wine movement, this episode will completely change the way you think about Oregon. Along the way, we also discuss what the future of wine might look like - and why the biggest challenge facing the wine industry may have nothing to do with wine itself. You'll discover why the Rocks District produces some of America's most distinctive Syrah, why Oregon's Pinot Gris deserves far more attention, how Method Oregon is putting the state's sparkling wines on the map, and the producers and wine regions that should be firmly on your travel wishlist. So, if you're ready to look beyond Pinot Noir, pour yourself a glass, sit back, and enjoy this episode. Shownotes 03:05 – Learning how to communicate wine — how Samantha’s experience in cellars, formal study and wine journalism shaped the way she tastes, writes and speaks about wine today. 05:54 – Do state lines matter in wine? — why geographical boundaries rarely determine wine style, but can have important legal and commercial consequences for producers. 06:53 – Understanding the Columbia Gorge — how rainfall and temperature change dramatically from west to east across this cross-border Oregon and Washington AVA. 08:36 – Visiting the Columbia Gorge — why Portland makes an ideal starting point for exploring its wineries, cycling trails, breweries and famous windsurfing. 09:26 – Inside the Rocks District — what makes this tiny Oregon AVA’s basalt cobblestones and distinctive soils unlike almost anywhere else in the United States. 10:40 – The unmistakable Rocks District flavour — how low acidity, heat and saline soils can create Syrah with savoury, ferrous, rosemary and cured-meat characters. 11:22 – Why Grenache is thriving — the grape varieties performing particularly well in the Rocks District’s hot, dry and intensely sunny conditions. 13:41 – The problem with Rocks District labelling — why many wines grown inside the AVA must legally be labelled as Walla Walla when they are made across the border in Washington. For a deeper dive into Washington State wine, listen to Episode 271 with Chris Stone and Avril Mooney from the Washington State Wine Commission. 15:37 – Cayuse Vineyards and Christophe Baron — why one of the Rocks District’s most celebrated producers chooses not to place the AVA name on his labels. 17:49 – Christophe Baron and Cayuse — why one of the Rocks District's pioneering winemakers chooses not to feature the AVA name on his labels.  18:44 – How to identify wines from the Rocks — why a Walla Walla label does not guarantee Rocks District fruit and what wine lovers should investigate before buying. Producer to look out for who trained with Christophe Baron - Matt Reynvaan of Reynvaan Family Vineyards 20:40 – Oregon beyond the Willamette Valley — exploring the smaller wine regions and cross-border AVAs that exist beyond the state’s best-known centre of production. 21:25 – Why small producers rarely reach export markets — how direct-to-consumer sales in cities such as Seattle and Boise can leave little incentive for wineries to export. 23:23 – Oregon’s artisanal wine culture — how the state developed around small-scale wineries, hands-on farming and producers working with limited resources. 25:32 – Is Oregon wine becoming more commercial? — how new investment, vineyard management companies and larger businesses are changing the region’s traditional identity. 27:23 – Why American wine can be expensive — the impact of land prices, debt, staffing, healthcare, investors and corporate structures on the final cost of a bottle. 30:29 – Looking beyond the romance of winemaking — the economic reality behind owning vineyards, employing staff and running a sustainable family wine business. 31:18 – The authentic small-winery experience — why visiting working producers