At a bar in San Francisco in 1998, Erica Orr met winemaker Aaron Pott who convinced her that winemaking was the coolest job in the world. She took a vacation from her lab tech job at UCSF to work harvest with Cathy Corison while applying to the master’s program at Davis. She was hooked and there was no turning back.
Erica honed her craft working at some of the best wineries in the world: Rudd Estate, Cain Vineyard, Domaine Dujac and Yering Station. In 2005, she moved to Washington state and started an independent winemaking consulting and enology business in Woodinville, where she helped wineries like Baer, Mark Ryan, Guardian, Sparkman and others rack up 90+ point scores and now two Spectator Top 100 wines. In 2013, Erica decided the time had come to create a wine all her own. The inaugural and limited release of Orr Wines − 116 cases of old vine chenin blanc − came into being with the generous help and goodwill of the Woodinville winemaking community. Cheers everybody! Here's to calling in all my favors!
Recent Scores
Orr 2024 Old Vine Chenin blanc $28 - 94 points, Critic’s Choice, Top 60 Wines of the Northwest, Sean Sullivan Northwest Wine Report
This thrilling wine was fermented with native yeast. The aromas are redolent with notes of Meyer lemon, pear, cut red apple, and a whiff of black licorice. The palate is on the lighter side of medium-bodied, textured, and shows tip-toe balance and precision. The variety’s bright acidity runs throughout. A lingering finish caps it off, with touches of peach. It’s exceptionally delicious. Put it on the dinner table to see it at its best. Either way, get some, particularly fans of high acid white wines. 12.6% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 430 cases produced.
Orr 2023 Grenache $30 - 92 points, Critic’s Choice Sean Sullivan Northwest Wine Report
This wine was aged in older French oak barrels. The aromas show notes of flower, tangerine rind, red fruit, moist soil, dried herb, and freshly hewn wood. The palate is plump-feeling, graceful, and focused. The mouthfeel considerably adds to the appeal, as does the lengthy finish. 14.6% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 264 cases produced.
Orr 2023 Royal Slope Red Wine $27 - 90 points, Critic’s Choice Sean Sullivan Northwest Wine Report
All Merlot, fruit for this wine comes from Stillwater Creek Vineyard. Sales fund preventative health screenings for vineyard workers. The aromas show notes of chocolate, green herb, flower, tobacco, and cherry. The palate is medium-plus bodied, backed by slightly firm tannins. There’s a pleasing freshness. Give it a 20 minute decant. 14.2% alcohol. TCA-free micro-agglomerated cork. 97 cases produced.
Vineyard Sources
My Chenin comes from Roza Hills, Upland and Holmason vineyards in the Yakima Valley. The 2023 Grenache is a blend of Stillwater Creek and Corfu Crossing vineyard in the Royal Slope. The Royal Slope Red is made from donated Merlot grapes from Stillwater Creek vineyard in the Royal Slope. The 2023 Salumeria red blend is from Boushey and Stillwater Creek vineyards. My Oregon Pinot noir is from Leland vineyard in the Willamette Valley.
photo credits : Victoria Wright, Ramin Rahimian, Kyu Han, Katelyn Peil