Tunkalilla Riesling Eola-Amity Hills 2012

When I blind-tasted some of the First Bottle team on this gorgeous 2012 Tunkalilla Riesling out of Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills, many of them thought it was a younger Austrian or German Riesling. The cooler-than-average season of 2012 allows this wine to retain its freshness and acidic vibrancy, lending it a reminiscence of our older world cousins.

Ironically (given the time of year), what was once a Christmas tree farm got a new life when Australian winemakers and growers Brian and Ann Croser purchased the 50-acre property on the southern edge of Eola-Amity Hills in Oregon’s Willamette Valley in 2002. Brian had studied enology in California in the early ‘70s, and the couple had maintained their connection to the U.S. west coast ever since. Their land borders the renowned Cristom Vineyards, and soon after the purchase, they planted 3 acres to Riesling in 2005, naming the property Tunkalilla after a beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, where their original family farm had been.

At 600 feet elevation, the vineyard experiences strong maritime winds via the Van Duzer Corridor, funneling cool Pacific air into the hills and helping to preserve acidity in the grapes, balancing ripeness with freshness. The soils are dominated by well-draining volcanic basalt – specifically Jory soil, from Miocene-era basalt flows – enhancing the overall minerality of the wines. Their production is small and hands-on, allowing them to be exceptionally intentional with every aspect from the field to the cellar.

Only 500 cases of the 2012 vintage were made, and thanks to its cool-climate home, along with the particularly mild 2012 season – it is still bright, crunchy, and fresh as ever. Yet, with over 10 years in the bottle, stunning nuances have developed that make this all-around spellbinding, especially given its price. On the nose, there’s a touch of petrol with a real dusted berry note, followed by a zippy palate with bright acidity and rich minerality, with notes of lime zest, honeycrisp apple, and orange blossom. It is a pleasantly lean drinker with no signs of added sugar and strong ties to its Austrian and German counterparts. I’d have this with any fish or poultry meal, or as a light appetizer drink, or even just an easy, breezy happy hour wine. Get plenty, because for under $15, it can’t be beat!

PAIRING IDEAS: Whole roasted chicken all the way – and throw in some carrots, potatoes, and leeks for fun. With this wallet-friendly zinger of a Riesling, you’ll have a fancy and delicious (yet secretly super affordable) meal at your fingertips.