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Tina and Brett
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Located at:
711 NE 3rd St, McMinnville, OR 97128
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Sometimes it just takes the smallest spark to set a person on what ultimately becomes a lifelong passion. For winemaker Evan Martin of Martin Woods Winery, this spark came by way of a book he picked up at European Vine Selections, a small wine shop in Seattle, written by esteemed British wine writer Oz Clarke.
After serving as a harvest intern at Belle Pente Vineyard from 2009-2011, Evan advanced to become the winery’s Assistant Winemaker, a position he held for five years before he purchased his own piece of land in a secluded part of Willamette Valley, thick with trees. The Martin Woods label is named for the heavily wooded topography of his new property.
Evan Martin loves the idea of terroir, and he especially loves the idea of Oregon terroir. In this way, Evan isn’t unique among other artisan winemakers who believe that to truly capture the essence of the region’s terroir, which includes the soil, the climate, and the general ecology and spirit of a vineyard, one must work with the land, and not introduce any outside elements that may interrupt this energetic current.
But Evan takes this idea one step further and extends the idea of terroir to the barrels he uses for his wine. Instead of using French oak, which he believes results in formulaic wines, and is increasingly used as a marketing buzzword, he harvests Oregon oak from his 40-acre property and crafts his own barrels made from local wood.
The specific species of oak is called Quercus garryana, and it’s native to the Willamette Valley. How’s that for taking the idea of terroir full circle?
Martin Woods wine is made with grapes sourced from vineyards primarily in Willamette Valley. While Evan has plans to plant his property with grapes, he hasn’t yet decided on the exact location of the vineyard. In the meantime, the vineyards he does purchase fruit from are among the best in Oregon.
The Koosah Vineyard is regarded as one of the best pinot noir and chardonnay vineyards in the Willamette Valley, and recently (in January 2022) when it caught the eye of Maison Louis Jadot, who acquired the entire vineyard through Résonance, the company’s first investment outside of their famed Burgundy operation.
Louis Jadot has been on a minor buying spree of elite Willamette Valley vineyards since they planted their flag, so to speak, in Oregon, and they consider the Koosah Vineyard the third jewel in their stateside crown.
The Tualatin Estate, which was planted in the Willamette Valley in 1973, is one of Oregon’s oldest and most iconic vineyards. This vineyard has the rare distinction of being the only vineyard to win the ‘Best of Show’ for both the red and white wine categories at the London International Wine Competition in the same year.
Interestingly, the Gamay on Tualatin Estate was only recently discovered. It lies on a hidden edge of the vineyard, and it was Evan who discovered it!
Locals and tourists alike flock to HiFi Vinyl Bar, whose motto is Soulful Sound + Soulful Terroir + Soulful Space. Just as the name implies, this ultracool, laidback wine bar has a great vinyl collection, which is on heavy rotation, and a killer selection of Willamette Valley wines to taste.
Our experience at HiFi Vinyl Bar, which is owned by Martin Woods, was sensational. It was hands down the best tasting room we visited in McMinnville, and if you go, you’ll understand why it’s such an institution.
With vinyl, live jazz, and a great garde-manger menu with dishes like potato chips, creme fraiche, and caviar, Iberian tinned fish, smoked duck, and escolar sashimi, what’s not to love?
After you’ve visited one or two tasting rooms in McMinnville, your next stop should absolutely be HiFi Vinyl Bar, especially if you’re interested in expanding your palate. The wines by the glass rotate weekly but have been known to include en vogue varieties and regions like Trousseau from Jura and inquisitive selections like sparkling aligoté.
All of the wines we tried in the tasting at HiFi Vinyl Bar were terrific, with each hovering between 88-93 points. These wines are complex but texturally elegant. The Martin Woods pinot noir, which Evan is known for, is a classic cool-climate presentation, austere but supple and jumping with red fruit and spice.
Here are a few highlights:
Tastings are available at the downtown McMinnville tasting room or at the winery, which is located about 15 minutes outside McMinnville.The winery recommends booking a reservation if you visit. This wine bar has the feel of a place that can fill up pretty fast, and the staff like engaging with customers about the wine they’re sampling, so for the best experience, make a tasting appointment.
