Patricia Green Cellars ‘Marine Sedimentary’ Pinot Noir 2022

Winemaking

Patricia Green is known for a restrained, terroir-focused approach to Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. Rather than chasing ripeness, she prioritizes balance and elegance, letting the distinctive mineral character of her vineyard sites speak through the wine. Her winemaking philosophy emphasizes natural fermentations and minimal intervention in the cellar.

Tasting Notes

This Pinot Noir opens with fragrant red cherry and forest floor aromatics, underscored by earthy mineral notes that hint at the wine's marine sedimentary origins. On the palate, it's refined and silky, with bright acidity that keeps everything in sharp focus—red berries and subtle mushroom flavors emerge alongside a distinctive mineral tension. The finish is graceful and lingering, letting those earthy, stony notes linger without heaviness.

Producer

Patricia Green Cellars is a boutique producer in the Willamette Valley, known for meticulous vineyard selection and a commitment to expressing individual site character through their wines. The estate focuses on small-lot production and careful viticulture, allowing the unique mineral profile of Oregon's marine sedimentary soils to shine through in their final wines.

Terroir

The Willamette Valley's cool climate and volcanic geology create ideal conditions for elegant, high-acid Pinot Noir. This wine comes from vineyards planted in marine sedimentary soils—a distinctive feature of certain blocks in the valley, laid down millions of years ago when the region was beneath ancient seas. These mineral-rich soils impart a characteristic salinity and stoniness that distinguishes these wines from other Oregon Pinots.

Food Pairings

Try this with roasted chicken thighs with thyme and lemon—the wine's bright acidity and earthy notes complement poultry beautifully. A more refined pairing would be seared duck breast with a cherry gastrique, where the wine's red berry flavors and silky structure echo the richness of the meat. For a casual option, it's excellent with mushroom risotto or a charcuterie board featuring aged cheeses and cured meats.