Franchere Cascadia Pinot Noir 2019

Cascadia is a cofermented red blend from Mike Hinds of Franchere Wine Company, based in Woodburn, Oregon. The 2019 is 90% Pinot Noir (split between 50% whole cluster and 40% destemmed), 5% whole-cluster Gamay, 4% destemmed Grüner Veltliner, and 1% destemmed Syrah, all sourced from Willamette Valley vineyards farmed organically, biodynamically, or sustainably without irrigation or systemic herbicides.

Fermented with native yeasts and aged in neutral vessels with no new oak, no filtration, and no additions. At 12.8% ABV, this is a light, energetic red built for texture and freshness rather than weight. The whole-cluster Pinot Noir and Gamay components drive the wine's lifted aromatic character, while the small additions of Grüner Veltliner and Syrah add spice and depth to the mid-palate.

The name references the Cascadia Volcanic Arc, the chain of volcanoes stretching from British Columbia through Washington and Oregon into Northern California, formed by the subduction of the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate beneath North America. The Willamette Valley sits within this broader volcanic geography, with many vineyard sites on basalt-derived Jory soils and Missoula flood deposits. Mike Hinds hand-farms a portion of the estate fruit that goes into Cascadia, with the remainder sourced from trusted growers.

Expect tangy red fruit, cracked black pepper, dusty minerality, and baking spice on a lightly tannic, refreshing finish. Best served slightly chilled around 55 degrees F.