The Wine Knows

One of the relatively obscure gems in Southern Oregon has located its tasting room in the northern Willamette Valley. Cliff Creek has opened in Carlton, the main town in the Yamhill-Carlton District.

The Garvin family farms its 70-acre vineyard near Gold Hill in Southern Oregon, and the wines have been made by the incomparable Joe Dobbes.

My first taste of Cliff Creek was three years ago while judging the World of Wines competition in Jacksonville, Ore. The Cliff Creek 2003 Syrah - the winery's inaugural release - won best in show. The three judges (me and two folks from California) were plenty impressed. Since then, the Cliff Creek wines have continued to bring in medals.

If you're going to be in the Willamette Valley for Memorial Day Weekend festivities, you should consider checking out Cliff Creek.