WELCOME TO VARGA VINEYARDS

Michael Varga is committed to growing premium Pinot Noir in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The vineyards lie near the 45th parallel – halfway between the equator and the North Pole – the same latitude as Burgundy. The vineyards thrive on gently sloping hills composed of rocky volcanic basalts; they’re warmed to optimum temperatures by the mid-day sun and cooled by the ocean breezes at night. The vines are dry-farmed using sustainable practices, and all work is done by hand.

As a small producer, Michael is intimately involved in all stages of the wine making process – from caring for the fruit to bottling the wine. Utilizing a combination of classical wine-making techniques and modern practices, Michael’s wines blend old world elegance and contemporary style. He takes pride in being the only vintner to craft, barrel, and bottle estate-grown Oregon Pinot Noir in San Diego.

WELCOME TO VARGA VINEYARDS

Michael Varga is committed to growing premium Pinot Noir in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The vineyards lie near the 45th parallel – halfway between the equator and the North Pole – the same latitude as Burgundy. The vineyards thrive on gently sloping hills composed of rocky volcanic basalts; they’re warmed to optimum temperatures by the mid-day sun and cooled by the ocean breezes at night. The vines are dry-farmed using sustainable practices, and all work is done by hand.

As a small producer, Michael is intimately involved in all stages of the wine making process – from caring for the fruit to bottling the wine. Utilizing classical wine-making techniques and modern practices, Michael’s wines blend old world elegance and contemporary style. He takes pride in being the only vintner to craft, barrel, and bottle estate-grown Oregon Pinot Noir in San Diego.

OUR PINOT NOIR ARTISTRY

PINOT NOIR

FULL-BODIED AND EARTHY

This bold, full bodied, Pinot Noir consists of a Dijon and Pommard clonal blend. The vines were cropped to two tons per acre, hand harvested, crushed, cold soaked, fermented, gently pressed, and barrel aged for over 12 months. The wine is a deep garnet red in color with aromas of red cherry, spices, and a hint of cola. Our Pinot Noir includes tastes of blackberry and raspberry with earth driven layers to include herbs, mushrooms, and warm spice notes. Textured yet bold, with balanced acids and rich tannins, our Pinot Noir has a long, earthy finish.

PINOT NOIR – RESERVE

EXQUISITELY BALANCED WITH AN ELEGANT FINISH

Our Reserve Pinot Noir consists of a special field blend of our finest clones of 777, 114, 115, 828, and 943. The vines were meticulously cropped to one ton per acre, hand harvested, and fermented in small batches to optimize flavor and complexity. Barrel-aged for 18 months, only the best barrels were selected for our Reserve Wine. The wine is a deep ruby red in color with aromas of black cherry, pepper spices, and hints of clove – and tastes of dark cherry, rich plumb, and subtle chocolate with black tea notes. Our Reserve Pinot Noir is layered, yet refined, with balanced acids, bold tannins, and an elegant finish.

CHLOÉ ROSÉ of PINOT NOIR

CRISP, VIBRANT AND REFRESHING

Named after the vintner’s daughter, Chloé, this rosé is a field blend of Pommard, Dijon, and Calera Pinot Noir clones. Hand harvested from the coolest vineyard blocks, the Rose is made from 100% free run juice and fermented in stainless steel tanks to optimize flavor and retain color and complexity. Our Rose is a brilliant coral pink with aromas of crabapple, fresh raspberry, and field ripened strawberry. An elegant, crisp, dry wine with vibrant acidity and a refreshing finish.

CHLOÉ ROSÉ of PINOT NOIR

CRISP, VIBRANT AND REFRESHING

Named after the vintner’s daughter, Chloé, this rosé is a field blend of Pommard, Dijon, and Calera Pinot Noir clones. Hand harvested from the coolest vineyard blocks, the Rose is made from 100% free run juice and fermented in stainless steel tanks to optimize flavor and retain color and complexity. Our Rose is a brilliant coral pink with aromas of crabapple, fresh raspberry, and field ripened strawberry. An elegant, crisp, dry wine with vibrant acidity and a refreshing finish.

LATE HARVEST PINOT NOIR

DESSERT WINE

Our Late Harvest Pinot Noir is a dessert wine made from very ripe grapes that are left on the vine even after they’ve reached their peak ripeness. When grapes are left hanging, they become sweeter over time as each individual grape dehydrates and the sugar content becomes more concentrated. The grapes are whole-cluster pressed, fermented at cool temperatures, and aged for three years in oak barrels. A portion of the original sweetness is retained in the final wine with added structure, tannins, balanced acidity, and an earthy character. Deep burgundy in color, our Late Harvest drinks smooth and slightly sweet with red cherry and dark chocolate notes.