Autumn arrived in McMinnville later than usual this year, with 80° days lingering through the third week of the month. It has been an anomaly, without a doubt, yet we have been grateful for the higher temperatures as it has allowed for fruit to hang in the vineyards just a little bit longer. The continued maturation of the berries through warm weather continued to develop the sugars, while the inevitable cooler nights helped to keep acid levels high.

We are so close to our last lots of fruit coming into the winery, signaling a close to the harvest season. But the work doesn’t stop there! Our team will continue working on punch downs, pressing off grapes, racking barrels, and monitoring all of your favorite wines for weeks to come.

As October comes to a close, we are encouraged to look forward to the upcoming holiday season. Thanksgiving holds a special place in our hearts, as it was Maria’s favorite holiday. December will bring Hanukkah traditions to the table, and then we’ll spend time in what we call “Bubbly season,” which is that sweet week between Christmas and New Years. It feels like everything calls for Bubbly when the world is lit up with twinkle lights and holiday cheer.

If gathering holiday wines is on your to-do list, ordering sooner is better than later! For our friends on the East Coast, the last day to order wine via ground shipping in time for Thanksgiving is November 11th – a mere two weeks away from now! Be sure to reference our holiday shipping deadlines to get your wine on time for your celebration.

With all of the holidays and reasons to celebrate, we are already making a list of the wines we want to see on our holiday tables. Selecting wines for your table can be an overwhelming task, as many palettes and a diverse array of dishes come together. To provide inspiration for your shopping, here are our favorite selections as of lately:

  • 2018 Love, Oregon White Sky
    This blend of Pinot gris, Viognier, Chardonnay, and Pinot blanc is a richer, more complex white wine due to its blend. Its complexity includes a beautiful acid balance that can take on rich dishes.
  • 2020 Love, Oregon Pinot Noir
    Gentle tannins and red fruit flavors complement the fall tablescape, from meats and vegetables to cranberry sauce and pies.
  • 2020 Love, Oregon Gamay Noir
    A cousin to Pinot noir, Gamay brings a similar, food friendly profile with a profile carrying a bit more warmth and spice. 
  • Bubbly, Sparkling NV
    Did you know sparkling wines’ acidity makes for a great pairing with fat-rich foods? Pair Bubbly with your cheesiest mashed potatoes for a pleasantly surprising pairing.
  • 2018 Hirschy Pinot Noir
    Hirschy has been holding first place as one of our favorite single vineyards from our current releases. As a bigger profile Pinot, it’s guaranteed to please Pinot drinkers and your California family members as well.

We invite you to mark November 16th-19th on our calendar as the time to buy wines. For 4 days only, we are extending Wine Club discounts to the general public, and our Club members will be able to utilize an additional discount.

Non-Club Members:

Purchase 6+ bottles to receive a 15% discount
Purchase 12+ bottles to receive a 20% discount

Club Members:

Purchase 6+ bottles to receive a 30% discount

You can taste through R. Stuart wines at our Harvest Open House on November 19th (the last day of the sale!) to secure your holiday selections and take advantage of this elevated discount. We can’t wait to see you there!