Grochau Cellars Pinot Noir 'Commuter Cuvée' Willamette Valley 2020

When John Grochau returned to his native Oregon after riding with a French bicycle-racing team, he brought back an intimate appreciation for French topography as well as a passion for wine. Back on the west coast, he delved into the wine industry, working in Portland restaurants as well as several wineries before striking out on his own. Grochau’s “Commuter Cuvée” line, which now includes a gamay as well as this tasty pinot noir, brings together the harvests of several organically grown vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Made with minimal interventions in the winemaking process, this dark and smooth pinot brings out the uniqueness of its region in the form of an eminently versatile wine. Equally at home on a celebratory dinner table and a bike-ride picnic, it combines a mineral earthiness with luscious black cherry, ripe red berries, and a hint of herbal spice. Organically grown, low-intervention/natural wine.