Ken and Grace Evenstad founded Domaine Serene Vineyards and Winery in 1989. They purchased 42 acres of just-logged land in Dundee Hills, Oregon with the intention to plant, grow and produce ultra-premium Pinot Noir. They have been involved in every aspect of growing, producing, and marketing Domaine Serene wines. Ken and Grace own 462 acres of land in Yamhill County in Willamette Valley, Oregon with 150 acres planted to vine. In addition to Pinot Noir, which is about 95% of the wine produced, they also make a little Chardonnay and Syrah. Their wines have won many accolades and awards, including over 80 wines scoring 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator.

The Domaine Serene Jerusalem Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir is one of those wines that is extremely memorable. I consider it one of the benchmark single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from Oregon. This low elevation vineyard is located 16 miles south of the Dundee Hills. The Jerusalem Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir is made from the Eola-Amity winegrowing region.

The color in the glass is a medium shade of ruby. There are aromas of raspberry and wet earth with notes of mushroom and baking spices that rise delicately out of the glass. The tannins are firm but silky. There is fresh acidity with an intriguing hint of smoked meats on the palate. It all leads to a long and spicy driven finish. The 2018 Domaine Serene Jerusalem Hill Pinot Noir would benefit from 5 or more years in the bottle. I recently tasted a 2014 Jerusalem Hill Pinot Noir during dinner at one of our favorite French bistros in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago. The wine showed a silky, creamy texture, amazing balance and elegance which paired perfectly with French bistro faire.

By Perry Miroballi