You've probably been hearing a lot about Willamette Valley Chardonnay lately. Critics love it, sommeliers are talking about it, and honestly, it deserves the attention. But before Chardonnay had its moment, there was Pinot Gris. It's the grape that first proved this valley could make world-class whites, and it's still the most planted white variety here. If you haven't paid attention to it in a while, this summer is a good time to come back.

Kings Ridge has been making Willamette Valley wine since 1990, and the Pinot Gris has always been at the heart of it. Wine made without occasion required, without a special glass or a reason to save it. Just good, honest Willamette Valley fruit done right. The difference starts with where the grapes grow.

It starts with the place

The Willamette Valley is one of the coolest winegrowing regions in North America. That matters more than most people realize. Cool climates slow ripening down, giving grapes more time to build complexity while holding onto their natural acidity. The result is a wine with real nuance; not just fruit, but texture, structure, and a sense of place.

There's a reason winemakers say Pinot Gris is one of the most transparent grapes in the world. It shows you exactly where it came from. The 2025 Kings Ridge Pinot Gris is sourced from four Willamette Valley vineyards, each bringing something a little different to the blend. That diversity is what gives the wine its depth.

How we make it

We hand-harvest and whole cluster press, meaning the grapes go into the press as full clusters, not destemmed. It's a gentler approach that pulls cleaner, more delicate juice. From there, fermentation happens cold and slow in stainless steel to lock in those primary aromas, and the 2025 vintage has them. Tangerine, green guava, allspice. It's a little more tropical and a little more layered than you might expect.

We also block malolactic fermentation, the process that converts sharp malic acid into softer lactic acid and makes some whites taste creamy or buttery. We skip it on purpose. We want that bright, clean acidity to stay intact.

So what does that mean in the glass?

It means a wine that doesn't pick a lane. Fresh but not thin. Textured but not heavy. And right now, in June, it's exactly what you want; cold, bright, and built for the season.

Pour it at a backyard dinner. Bring it to the lake. Open it on the patio when the sun finally starts to go down. Kings Ridge Pinot Gris is Willamette Valley wines welcoming everyone to the table, and summer is the best time to pull up a chair.

You've probably been hearing a lot about Willamette Valley Chardonnay lately. Critics love it, sommeliers are talking about it, and honestly, it deserves the attention. But before Chardonnay had its moment, there was Pinot Gris. It's the grape that first proved this valley could make world-class whites, and it's still the most planted white variety here. If you haven't paid attention to it in a while, this summer is a good time to come back.

Kings Ridge has been making Willamette Valley wine since 1990, and the Pinot Gris has always been at the heart of it. Wine made without occasion required, without a special glass or a reason to save it. Just good, honest Willamette Valley fruit done right. The difference starts with where the grapes grow.

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