As many of you know, we are enamored with the wines of Alsace.  So we were thrilled when our friend Andy Fortgang (co-owner of Le Pigeon and Canard in Portland) approached us several years ago to create a traditional Edelzwicker blend for the now sadly defunct Little Bird Bistro.  But the wine lives on to commemorate the convivial spirit of the beloved restaurant!

Edelzwicker literally means "noble blend", so is made from some combination of the "noble" varieties of Alsace: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat. Although many wines labeled as Edelzwicker today tend to be sweet and innocuous, and often included “low brow” varietals like Pinot Blanc, Andy was after a classic dry style to match with the house-made charcuterie at Little Bird.  So we sat down with the individual varietals, and concocted the Belle Ouiseau "formula": roughly equal parts Riesling and Pinot Gris with a splash of Muscat.  Initially served exclusively at the restaurant from kegs, we did a small experimental bottling in 2010, and more extensive ones starting in 2011.

The 2019 Belle Oiseau (bell woz-oh, which means "Pretty Bird") includes 45% Riesling from old vines at Hyland Vineyard in McMinnville, 35% Pinot Gris from our Belle Pente estate vineyard, 20% Muscat from Stag Hollow Vineyard (our Yamhill-Carlton neighbors).  The Riesling brings freshness and vibrancy, with the Pinot Gris contributing weight and body, and the Muscat adding a jasmine/honeysuckle aromatic lift.  It is a terrific Oregon original with a noble Alsatian pedigree.  Perfect as an aperitif, with raw oysters, moderately spicy Asian-influenced dishes, and of course charcuterie!

148 cases produced