2022 Willful Wine Company - Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (750ml)

Willful Wine Company was created by Pam Walden, an Oregon winemaker of over twenty years whose label reflects her own free-spirited, determined outlook on life. Originally from England, Walden once owned vineyards in the Dundee Hills before shifting her focus fully to winemaking, now producing terroir-driven, minimalist wines under both the Willful and Jezebel labels while raising her two children as a single parent. Her approach favors a light touch in the cellar, letting fruit from the north Willamette Valley express itself with as little intervention as possible.

This Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from several vineyards spread across the Yamhill-Carlton, Dundee Hills, Ribbon Ridge, and Chehalem Mountains AVAs, allowing the wine to reflect a range of soils and microclimates within the broader Willamette Valley. The grapes were fermented in small lots using native yeasts, with a portion of whole clusters included to add complexity and lift. The 2022 vintage was aged for about ten to twelve months in mostly neutral and once used French oak, a choice meant to highlight fruit purity rather than overt oak character.

This Pinot Noir offers a mix of raspberry, boysenberry, and blueberry aromas alongside candied cinnamon, sage, and purple flowers. On the palate, bright dark fruit and cherry flavors are framed by silky texture, elegant tannins, and energetic acidity. It pairs nicely with roast chicken, grilled salmon, or a charcuterie board.