The Gerber family planted their first vines in the Illinois Valley in Southern Oregon in 1975. They picked a site seven miles from the California border and 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains. This was not an agricultural area, but an abandoned gold mine. They must have been satisfied with their grapes because they created Foris Vineyards and Winery in 1985. Today, in addition to the 204-acre Gerber Vineyard with 46 acres of vines, they have the Cedar Ranch and Maple Ranch. This wine comes from the Gerber Vineyard, which they consider their best for Gewurztraminer. It is a nuanced wine from an in-your-face grape. While it expresses the rose petal, lychee aromas and flavors, they are intertwined with citrus and white peach flavors. It is light-bodied, dry and refreshing with bright, lively acidity. Enjoy as an aperitif or with a spring vegetable salad. It provides a lot of enjoyment for the money.
Foris, Rogue Valley (Oregon) Dry Gewurztraminer 2018
By Rebecca Murphy