Brian, it was awesome seeing you again, and I hope we’ll see you again soon!
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2023s should be delicious, I really like the wines. Low abv, good intensity, very precise, and excellent acidity. It’s a lovely vintage, but so was 2022.
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Great write-up, will return to this post for our next trip to the area.
I visited Vincent just a couple days before you @Brian_S_t_o_t_t_e_r. It was a really nice, low-key tasting which is very much what we wanted after a long drive down from WA (and with our post-drive toddler running around in the background).
Super excited to keep exploring this area, both from afar and in future visits.
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Great seeing you Brian. Thanks for all the notes, great to read your impressions of all these wines.
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Thanks for the visit! Hope to come back once you’re settled in your new space 
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I just opened a bottle of Saul’s rosato tonight and even if it wasn’t 95 degrees outside this bottle slays.
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Excellent write up. Looks like you had a great time and lucked out with the weather.
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Tagging on to this thread rather than making a new one. Hopefully @Brian_S_t_o_t_t_e_r doesn’t mind. We visited the Pacific Northwest three weeks ago which included a few nights in the Willamette Valley. We were there for wine tasting with @Vincent_Fritzsche and @Marcus_Goodfellow.
Only tasted with those two as we also had other things planned. Another trip to the area will definitely happen, so many producers to explore.
Rather than go into detailed notes I want to give you my general thoughts on the tastings and other tidbits about the area.
After “knowing” Vincent Fritzsche online for many years it was a pleasure to finally meet him in person. Tasted right outside his old facility we tasted through his lineup which included Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Gamay, Pinot Noir and his Fritzsche Cabernet from Napa Valley.
All the wines showed very well, Vincent’s wines show excellent concentration and flavor without being overly extracted, heavy or ponderous. ABV levels are also held well in check. Mixed order in and for those on the fence about the Napa Cab, don’t hesitate!
Meeting with Marcus was also a treat, his knowledge about vineyards, climate, soils etc. is extensive and it was certainly a pleasure to discuss it all with him. Could have chatted all day.
Tasted at the winery through a series of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and also his newish Sparkling program.
The wines of Goodfellow are precise, complex and flavors are layered even at the young age of the wines. Built to age, most can be enjoyed with a good decant. Order in and don’t miss the Sparkling program!
An observation, tasting at Vincent and Goodfellow showed that excellent wines can be made with different decisions such as destemming (Vincent) vs some whole cluster (Goodfellow).
Really want to thank Vincent and Marcus for their time and gracious hospitality. It was very much appreciated.
Other tidbits from the trip. 3rd Street Flats provided a great stay. We were in the “fourth” flat. Huge space with living area, full kitchen, dining area, bedroom and bath. More space than we needed but nicely appointed and right in the heart of McMinnville.
Had some very good breakfasts at Crescent Cafe a 1 minute walk from 3rd Street Flats.
Enjoyed a terrific dinner at Pinch, a newer restaurant in McMinnville. Excellent food and service!
Had a couple drinks at HiFi Wine Bar, also in McMinnville. Excellent wines by the glass, very cool vibe and though we didn’t eat there, has a good reputation for their food. We live in the heart of Sonoma County and we have nothing that would compare to HiFi.
Pizza Capo was good, especially after a long drive from Seattle. Good pizza and wine, what’s not to like.
Saw a concert at McMenamens Grand Lodge in Forest Grove about 30 minute drive from McMinnville. Very nice outdoor venue, saw one of our favorite performers Gary Clark Jr.
Finally, McMinnville turned out to be really nice town. Actually reminded us a lot of what Healdsburg was like 30-35 years ago before it started getting boushy and expensive.
Tom
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On our NW U.S./Portland roadtrip back in 2011, the Grand Lodge was my kid and my last stop. Not sure if the outdoor “concert” area has changed much, but we also caught some local music and enjoyed it.
Question: how challenging is it to get to the wineries from McMinnville?
Terry, for Goodfellow it was a 10 minute walk from the center of McMinnville. The drive to Vincent, Eola Hills Rd, Amity was 20 minutes.
My guess is that 90% of the wineries are within a 30 minute drive of McMinnville. Many of them, Vincent as an example are closer.
Tom
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Thanks, Tom!! I need to plan a trip out there!
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Haven’t been to McMinnville in a couple years, but totally agree with that description.
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McMinnville is a great “home base” during a trip to the WV. Most of the wineries you would be interested in visiting are within a 30 minute drive either North (Dundee Hills, Ribbon Ridge, Chehalem Mountains, etc.) or South (Eola-Amity Hills, Van Duzer). And if you feel like staying in town one day, there are plenty of tasting options right in McMinnville (Goodfellow, Violin, Hundred Suns, and many more).
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Great to finally meet to realize! Thanks for the Nebbiolo, was delicious.
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General chiming in here - McMinnnville is a fantastic home base for a visit to this area. Cute town, lots of options, and about as centrally located as you can get. Very highly recommended.
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