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  When you swirl that glass of wine, I’m sure you’ve noticed those clear streaks of liquid that are falling gradually back into the wine? Those clear streaks are called wine legs, or tears of wine. They form due to the interaction of alcohol, water, and surface tension in a phenomenon known as the Marangoni…

By Brian Zawada Oregon’s Willamette Valley has earned its reputation as one of the premier Pinot noir winegrowing regions in the world, thanks in part to its diverse soils, cool climate, and an array of Pinot noir clones that contribute to the complexity of its wines. Among these, the Dijon clones (113, 114, 115, 667,…

By April Zawada Could it be that we are what we drink?  Some believe that our choice of wine is directly linked to our personality traits.  Find out if your human characteristics reflect one (or some) of these wine varietals below! As for me, I most definitely match my wine preference! The “Elegant and Graceful” Pinot…

When it comes to enjoying wine country, there’s something truly special about bringing along your furry friend. At Violet Vines’ tasting room in Carlton, Oregon, we believe that wine tasting should be an experience for the whole family – including your four-legged companions! Our tasting room is not only a haven for wine lovers but…

Having just finished bottling six new wines last week (five of our 2023 Pinot noir’s and our inaugural 2023 Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre (GSM), the topic of bottle shock comes to mind? Is it a real thing? Is it a great movie starring the late Alan Rickman? Well, I think it’s both. Bottle shock (sometimes people call it…

By April Zawada The most wonderful time of the year is upon us, and I cannot wait to soak up the magic of the season. It’s time to slow down, enjoy time with family and friends with holiday music, food and of course, wine! Traditional Thanksgiving cuisine is custom-made for Oregon wines. In fact, I’m…

One of my favorite things about winemaking is experimentation. I love hearing from other winemakers about some of their tips and tricks to extract the most out of each harvest to showcase the vintage. Some conversations center on the yeast or yeast derivatives. In others, it’s about equipment, presses and press programs. A common topic…

Ready to “geek out” on all things oak, toasting and barrels in general? Here you go! The choice of oak forest affects the wine’s mouthfeel, aging potential, and flavor profile, allowing winemakers to tailor barrel selection and the barrel aging process to achieve a desired style. The type of oak used in barrels can significantly…

Sometimes when you’re super close to something you forget how you became aware of in the first place.   That’s me when it comes to Oregon and Oregon wine.   My wife and I started Violet Vines five years ago as a passion project originally focused on producing amazing Pinot noir.  It was back in 2005 when…

Last night April and I arrived back home after the conclusion of the 38th International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) here in McMinnville, Oregon. It was our first time as a featured winery participant. Certainly participating in IPNC made it special, but what was even more meaningful was that participating in an IPNC was a goal…