Lost Verses - 2018

Sauvignon Blanc is a divisive grape, in large part because so little of it is made with any care. It’s grown in climates that are too warm, or at yields that are too high, or rushed through fermentation and aging—all of which create vapid wines. By contrast, Lost Verses makes a strong case that Sauvignon Blanc is the most underplanted great white grape in the Willamette Valley.

The cool climate of the Willamette Valley means Sauvignon Blanc grapes hold on to their acidity, enjoying long hang-times and developing rich, exotic flavors (just as in far northeastern Italy). This wine is a prime example, displaying a dialectic between generous passion fruit and lime curd flavors and a natural vibrancy derived from the bright acidity. The combination of fruit and minerality is one of the hallmarks of Sauvignon Blanc that transcends the mundane.

The grapes for this wine are from the renowned Durant Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Harvested several weeks after the Pinot Noir from the site, the grapes were beautiful and were macerated overnight on the skins before being pressed and fermented in older oak barrels. The wine was racked into stainless steel tanks after ten months and held there until bottling in March 2020.

Unfortunately, we were unable to source Sauvignon Blanc grapes up to our standards in 2019, so this wine is going on hiatus after this release.

52 cases produced. ($27)