2020 Division Wine Co. ''Gamine'' Grenache, Applegate Valley, Oregon, USA
ABOUT THIS WINE
Kate is so honored that her personal wine project, Gamine Wines, has been so well received, compelling her to keep making the wines that are influenced by the regions, styles and varieties that her mother, Sylviane loves and drinks! (Think Champagne down to the Rhone!)
Kate has been partnering with her favorite Southern Oregon grower Herb Quady since 2013 on her Mae’s Vineyard Syrah and Grenache Rosé Pétillant. Herb grew up in the family of the famed Quady Winery in California’s Central Valley, and later became the vineyard manager for Randall Graham at Bonny Doon before coming north to southern Oregon with his sights on applying organic farming techniques to a region with mostly undiscovered vineyard potential. His Mae’s Vineyard block slopes southeast into the Applegate Valley in what can only be said as one of the prettiest spots we’ve seen in the state. Loamy/clay and marine sediment overlay sits on top of a large granite slab (yes granite!), which makes this a truly distinctive site to work with, and the lieu Kate’s bases the core and soul of her Gamine wines.
Kate added a new wine to the family in 2018 - looking to further express Grenache as a red wine through the lens of Oregon climate, terroir and her favorite winemaking styles.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Division Winemaking Company is a Portland, Oregon based winery founded in 2010 by Kate Norris and Thomas Monroe. Inspired by the wineries of Loire, Beaujolais, Burgundy and the Northern Rhone where they first learned winemaking and viticulture, the urban winery creates Oregon and Washington wines including Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay, Rose, Chenin, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Cot, Syrah, Grenache, and Sauvignon Blanc. Determined to make approachable and balanced wines though minimal manipulation, the winemakers have a passion to work with well farmed terroir expressive vineyards, many of which are organic and/or Biodynamic®, celebrating the varietals the winemakers loves to drink. Division Winemaking Company includes the flagship Division label, the more approachable Division-Villages label, the Gamine brand inspired by the Rhone Valley and a personal expression of co-founder Kate Norris’ love of the region, as well as the experimental Tripod Project label, a collaboration between co-winemaker Tom Monroe, Barnaby Tuttle of Teutonic Wine and Jesse Skiles of Fausse Piste. Division Winemaking Company is also a member of the PDX Urban Wineries Association. Division Winemaking Company represents a new generation of winemakers that are looking beyond the status quo to create unique styles of wine, with a purpose, a story and without barriers.