A new Pioneer spirit came to the Oregon Hills in 1991; Ed King Jr., and his son Ed King III created King Estate on approximately 1,000 acres in Southern Willamette Valley, Oregon, near Eugene. A true Oregon Trail story, the King Family sold their avionics company, King Radio in Olathe, Kansas, to fund their trail west to the fertile Oregon hills. They now produce 350,000 cases of wine annually with the goal of developing the most diverse Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their Pinot Gris has been an award winner, with 314 acres planted. A nice surprise was the 2008 Blanc de Gris Sparkler, which is what we started with in the Tasting Room on our visit. Followed by 2015 King Estate Pinot Gris, we felt uplifted by the cheery pear and white peach flavors kept in check with fresh acidity.
Continue Reading
