Say "Olé" to Spanish Wine Varieties
Celebrate the bold and vibrant flavors of Spanish wine varieties, the crisp and aromatic Albariño and the rich and velvety Tempranillo. These wineries are making exceptional wines that bring a taste of Spain to Tualatin Valley (and to your glass).
Albariño
Originating from the Rías Baixas region of Spain and Portugal’s Vinho Verde, Albariño is a crisp, aromatic white wine known for its vibrant acidity and refreshing character. With notes of citrus, green apple and peach this bright, easy drinking wine is an excellent warm-weather wine that pairs perfectly with seafood and light dishes.
- Freja Cellars: Freja’s Albariño is a crisp wine with bright passion fruit, pineapple and white grapefruit notes, making it a perfect pairing for al fresco summer dining. (Open for special events and by appointment only)
- Scotch Church Road Vineyard: This Albariño showcases a mix of stone fruit and mineral tones, making it a standout among their white wine offerings.
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is a versatile red wine grape, which is native to Spain and has been finding an audience here in Oregon. Celebrated for its rich flavors and smooth texture, this moderately tannic wine pairs beautifully with hearty foods and grilled meats. Because this bigger red grows better in warmer weather climates, these wineries source their grapes from vineyards outside of Tualatin Valley.
- J Rallison Cellars: Among its diverse offerings, J Rallison features two styles of Tempranillo, each showcasing the grape’s versatility and vibrant fruit character. It’s traditional Tempranillo is a medium-bodied, fruit forward wine with less tannin. The sparkling Tempranillo has a refreshing, yet dry finish.
- Olea Vineyards: Olea’s Mix Tape” Tempranillo, which earned the Double Gold Award in the McMinnville Wine Competition, has rich, earthy undertones with a smooth finish.
- Scotch Church Road Vineyard: Scotch Church crafts a bold and structured Tempranillo with notes of dark fruit and subtle spice, perfect for pairing with hearty dishes.
- Sidereus Vineyard & Winery: Sidereus creates a balanced and elegant Tempranillo with notes of dark fruit and spice, emphasizing its fruity and earthy complexity with a polished texture.
- DAnu Wines: DAnu offers both a traditional Tempranillo and a dessert-style version, showcasing the grape’s depth in both dry and sweet expressions. The traditional style is bold with balanced tannins, while the dessert style, which is fortified and aged for more than four years, is a dry with rich flavor.