Brooks Willamette Valley Riesling 24

Oregon's Riesling standard-bearer. Founder Jimi Brooks was preaching Willamette Riesling back when everyone else was ripping it out for Pinot, and after his sudden death in 2004 — leaving the winery to his eight-year-old son Pascal, with sister Janie Brooks Heuck stepping in to run it — the family made Riesling the house cause. Farmed biodynamically since 2002 (Demeter-certified, and a certified B Corp) from their Eola-Amity Hills estate and trusted Willamette growers in the path of the cooling Van Duzer winds, this is the dry benchmark of the lineup: thirst-quenching acidity carrying mixed citrus, green apple, and honeysuckle into a finish of orange blossom, lemon pie, and stony minerality. Only about 1,000 cases made. The bottle that converts self-declared Riesling skeptics — pour it with Thai takeout, oysters, pork chops, or a cheese board and watch it disappear.

Wine Details:

Grapes: 100% Riesling

ABV: Approx. 12.5% — confirm from label

Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon — Eola-Amity Hills estate & partner vineyards

Farming / Practices: Biodynamic farming since 2002 (Demeter certified 2012); certified B Corp; dry style

Producer: Brooks — Brooks family, est. 1998; ~1,000 cases

Bottle Size: 750ml