Abacela Winery
In 1995 when founders Earl and Hilda Jones planted its first vines, they had no way of knowing what the outcome would be. They were scientists with zero winemaking experience who left secure careers and trekked 2700 miles west, kids in tow, to determine if fine Tempranillo wine could be grown and produced in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. They probably weren't the first enophiles to wonder why the great grape of Spain's famous Rioja wines were mysteriously absent from the American-produced fine wine scene. However, they were the first to approach the question with scientific rigor, form a hypothesis, then devote their lives to testing it.
The word “abacelar” originated from the western Latin spoken in the Iberian Peninsula and pre-dates modern Castilian Spanish. Today in Spain the word is still used only in the western provinces, especially Galicia and in neighboring Portugal. Its third-person conjugation “abacela” means “he/she/they plant a vine”. It was too fine a gift to ignore. In 1994, after an international search the Joneses decided this interesting word so elegantly encapsulated their project that they trademarked Abacela and registered it in Oregon as their business name although it would be three years before they would produce America’s first varietal of Tempranillo.
Abacela's winemaking philosophy is simple: Winemaking begins in the vineyard, and the highest quality of a traditional style varietal wine is limited by the quality of the fruit when it leaves the vine. The vintner's task is to study grapes and wine to achieve the potential instilled by Mother Nature. Abacela's foremost goal is to preserve the fruit's character and quality all the way into the bottle.
Their rolling hillsides allow them to ripen 17 different varieties to produce a range of wines that represent typicity and character. For example, their sunny hillside location helps ripen Grenache to lovely dark cherry, raspberry, plum, nutmeg and lavender aromas. The flavors broadcast across the palate while the tannins and lively acidity frame this lovely wine. (The 2019 Grenache received 92 Pts and Editor’s Choice from Wine Enthusiast.)
Not to be outdone, their Merlot is a complex, medium-bodied wine that was assembled from Abacelas’ best barrels. Aromas of blackberries, olives, and savory herbs revolve around flavors of cherry, truffle, and chocolate. (2018 Merlot received Double Gold award from the Great NW Wine Invitational)
Albariño is a delicate Spanish white grape that thrives on the cooler blocks in Abacela’s estate vineyards. It produces an assertive, dry wine characterized by beautiful floral aromas and fruity flavors that finishes with refreshing acidity, receiving 90 points from James Suckling, along with the 2022 Albariño receiving 93 Points from the Editor’s Choice from Wine Enthusiast.
