05/22/2026
Friday Find…. Summer Red
While Oregon’s Willamette Valley built its world-class reputation on Pinot Noir, Gamay is the region’s worst-kept insider secret. Accounting for less than 1% of the valley’s total vineyard acreage, it is a low-production, high-demand varietal championed by a new wave of terroir-driven winemakers. Because Pinot Noir is such a cash cow, Gamay has been secretly been kept for the industry because it’s a hard sell to the masses. Gamay has HUGE potential in Oregon but education push ti the mass is not there because if $$$$, but I’m doing my part with this video 👀 😝
Gamay is a genetic cousin of Pinot Noir (both are descendants of Pinot and Gouais Blanc), sharing the same love for cool-climate regions. Because it is a thin-skinned, early-ripening grape, it delivers incredible fruit concentration without the heavy tannins or high alcohol found in warmer-climate reds. In my opinion, to truly understand Oregon Gamay, you have to look at its spiritual home of Beaujolais, France (which produces roughly 75% of the world’s Gamay). While they share a signature grape, their unique terroirs create distinct personalities.
This Gamay from Tekstura is great, offering a more vibrant, punchy,clean-fruited and a modern finish. Pomegranate, black cherry and a hint of banana peel stood out to me. Pick one up and let me know what you think?
