Philomath Winery Wins Big

A small Philomath winery has won Best of Show at the Portland Seafood & Wine Festival for its 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir. Spindrift Cellars also earned a gold medal for its 2008 Pinot Noir. More than 60 wineries entered wines in the Feb.  5-6 festival in Portland.

Matt and Tabitha Compton, owners of the winery, were not surprised. “Winning the Best of Show at the Portland Seafood & Wine Festival is extremely flattering because there were so many other outstanding wines entered in the competition. The 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir is a great pinot Noir and only getting better with a little age on it. “My belief was confirmed the first time we poured it when one of our most knowledgeable wine club members, who also is a well respected wine judge, purchased a case of it but refused to take the case with him until our wine maker autographed each label," said Tabitha Compton.

In addition to Spindrift, winning wineries include:

DOUBLE GOLD

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Riesling 

GOLD

Spindrift Cellars 2008 Pinot Noir

WildAire Cellars 2008 Timothy Pinot Noir

Capitello non vintage Sparkling Brut

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Dry Riesling

Noble Estate 2009 Semi Sparkling Dessert Muscat 

 SILVER

Cubanisimo Vineyards 2008 Estate Pinot Noir

Melrose Vineyards 2007 Vintage Select Pinot Noir

Seufert 2007 Vista Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir

VX-Vercingetorix 2006 Pinot Noir

Pheasant Valley Winery 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Pheasant Valley Winery 2007 Chardonnay

Agate Ridge Vineyard 2008 Barrel Fermented Viognier

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2008 Pinot Gris

More than 60 other Oregon wines won bronze medals.