2015 Maysara, ‘Jamsheed’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Producer: Moe & Flora Momtazi came to the US in 1979, filing for political asylum , fleeing Iran during the Islamic revolution, Flora was 8 months pregnant at the time. They first settled in Texas, creating an engineering firm, which they sold to pursue their winemaking dream in Oregon. They Purchased an abandoned wheat farm in 1997,  to transform into a biodynamic winery, &  would have their first vintage in 2001. The business is operated by the whole family, the eldest daughter Tahmiene is the winemaker since 2007, daughters Hanna & Naseem, handle sales & special events.

Name:  With Persian influence :‘Maysara’ is a Farsi term meaning winery, ‘Jamsheed’ is named after a legend of a Persion king who would observe his kingdom by looking into his wine chalice.

Place: In the foothills of the McMinnville AVA, in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

Cultivation: Certified Biodynamic (Demeter) – holistically farmed.

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Soil: Clay, loam, Jory

Volcanic Origins: Jory, Oregon’s state soil can be found on the steep slopes of the foothills of Willamette Valley, transported from higher slopes & weathered from igneous bedrock. Its red color comes from high iron & clay content & it is named after ‘Jory Hill’ in Marion county Oregon.

 The soils are formed when fissures created a massive volcanic event that covered most of Oregon with basalt, the youngest & smallest flood basalt group on earth at 16.7 million years old, known as the Columbia River Basalt Flow.

Cultivation: Native yeast fermentation, aged 12 months in French oak, filter, no fining, wines are held at the cellar until the wine is ready to drink.

Tasting Notes: Ripe Forest Berries – Cracked Pepper – Earthy Undertones