Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 2019

Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 2019 is a single-vineyard, small-lot Pinot Noir from Oregon's Yamhill-Carlton District in the Willamette Valley, available in 750ml bottles. Sourced from what many in the industry call an Oregon "Grand Cru" site, this wine draws from seven vineyard blocks planted with Dijon clones 777 and 114 alongside heritage Pommard and Wädenswil selections, producing a layered wine of uncommon depth and precision.

Quick Facts: Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir  |  Origin: Yamhill-Carlton District, Willamette Valley, Oregon  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Producer: Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

Production & Heritage

Penner-Ash Wine Cellars was founded by Lynn Penner-Ash, one of Oregon's most respected winemakers, with decades of experience shaping Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The 2019 Shea Vineyard bottling undergoes small-lot indigenous yeast fermentation with extended cold soaks, a technique that coaxes color, aromatic complexity, and fine-grained tannin without harsh extraction. Shea Vineyard itself sits on sedimentary soil over fractured sandstone in Yamhill-Carlton—a combination of geology and microclimate that consistently yields wines of structure and elegance across multiple producers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The glass opens with wild raspberry, fresh plum, and vanilla bean, followed by deeper layers of clove, dusty earth, and tobacco leaf. Given time, Asian spice and sweet oak emerge to complete a highly aromatic profile.

Taste: The entry is sweet and supple, with round baked strawberry and cherry-pit flavors settling across the mid-palate. A fresh line of acidity threads through hints of pomegranate, tea leaf, and white pepper, keeping the fruit focused and preventing any sense of heaviness. Notes of shiitake mushroom add a savory undertone that speaks directly to the vineyard's sedimentary soils.

Finish: The finish is long and silky, with lingering fruit punch sweetness balanced by fine, dusty tannins. Tobacco and clove return at the tail end, rewarding patience with each sip.

How to Drink Shea Vineyard Pinot

This wine is best served slightly below room temperature—around 60–64°F—in a wide-bowled Burgundy glass to allow its aromatics full expression. Drink it neat to appreciate the vineyard character, or decant for 30 minutes if opening young.

• Duck Confit Pairing: The wine's earthy mushroom notes and bright acidity mirror the richness and savory depth of slow-cooked duck.
• Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad: The berry-forward palate complements the sweetness of roasted beets while the acidity cuts through tangy cheese.
• Grilled Salmon with Herb Crust: Oregon Pinot and Pacific salmon are a classic regional pairing; the wine's silky texture and moderate weight match the fish without overpowering it.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Pinot Noir collector who values single-vineyard provenance
• Anniversary dinners or milestone celebrations deserving a benchmark Oregon wine
• Building a cellar of notable 2019 Willamette Valley vintages
• Side-by-side comparison tastings with Burgundy Premier Cru Pinot Noir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Shea Vineyard Pinot taste like? It leads with ripe raspberry, baked strawberry, and plum, underscored by earthy clove, tea leaf, and a savory shiitake mushroom quality. The mouthfeel is silky with vibrant acidity and a long, tobacco-tinged finish.

How does Shea Vineyard Pinot compare to Burgundy Premier Cru? Penner-Ash's Shea Vineyard bottling combines the grace and aromatic complexity typically associated with Premier Cru red Burgundy with the more pronounced fruit intensity and supple structure characteristic of top-tier New World Pinot Noir. It tends to be more immediately approachable in youth than many Burgundies at a comparable quality level.

Is Shea Vineyard Pinot good for sipping neat? Absolutely—this is a contemplative wine built for focused tasting. Its layered aromatics and long finish reward slow, deliberate sipping at cellar temperature.

Where is Shea Vineyard Pinot made? It is produced by Penner-Ash Wine Cellars from grapes grown exclusively at Shea Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton District AVA of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The vineyard's sedimentary soils over fractured sandstone are a defining influence on the wine's character.

What foods pair well with Shea Vineyard Pinot? Roasted duck or duck confit, for its earthy richness; grilled wild salmon, a classic Oregon match; mushroom risotto, which amplifies the wine's shiitake undertones; aged Gruyère, whose nuttiness complements the oak spice; and herb-crusted lamb loin, whose savory herbs echo the wine's clove and tea-leaf notes.

What sizes does Shea Vineyard Pinot come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this single-vineyard bottling.

Is Shea Vineyard Pinot worth the price? This wine positions as a premium single-vineyard Oregon Pinot Noir, and its pricing reflects both the prestige of Shea Vineyard as a source and the small-lot production methods Penner-Ash employs. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking site-specific Willamette Valley character at a level below ultra-premium Grand Cru Burgundy pricing, it represents strong value within its tier.

Why Shea Vineyard Pinot?

Shea Vineyard occupies a rare status in Oregon wine—a site so consistently outstanding that it has earned the informal title of an Oregon Grand Cru. Penner-Ash's multi-clone sourcing across seven blocks within the vineyard yields a wine of uncommon complexity, drawing on Dijon 777 and 114 for aromatics and finesse, and Pommard and Wädenswil for structure and depth. The indigenous yeast fermentation and extended cold-soak technique preserve vineyard expression rather than impose a winemaking signature. The 2019 vintage in the Willamette Valley delivered balanced ripeness with natural acidity, and this bottling captures that vintage character with clarity and confidence.