Elite Brands Would Like to Welcome Raptor Ridge!

Elite Brands would like to welcome Raptor Ridge Winery to our vast portfolio of brands we represent. Raptor Ridge has created an impressive selection of wines that are high in quality and reasonably priced.  Oregon has earned the distinction of a premier wine-making region in the United States, and Raptor Ridge certainly lends credence to that reputation.

 The Winery was founded in 1995 by Scott Shull.  Scott has been making wines in Oregon since 1989, first as an independent producer, and for the last 17 vintages as a commercial winemaker at Raptor Ridge Winery.  Scott strives to craft wines that are interesting to the palate and the mind- - wines of complexity, finesse, and of place.  Scott’s wife and business partner, Annie Shull, takes on the role of Sales and Marketing Director, her passion and dedication shows through her long stretches on the road and almost daily tastings and wine dinners.  Her most recent trip to Colorado featured a Pinot Noir wine pairing with a chef inspired menu at Jimmy’s in Aspen, an artisanal wine and cheese pairing at Eat! Drink! in Edwards and a wine tasting at Ski Time Wine in Steamboat Springs.

Notable wines include their 2008 Reserve Pinot Noir, which is pleasing to the eye, with saturated crimson and bright purple hues. The palate is structured round and full, revealing rich plum and spice cake flavors cloaked in silky yet meaty tannins.  This is an ideal dinner-time wine to enjoy with friends and family!

For great value and a fantastic wine, the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2010 is highly recommended. The goal for this blend is to provide a balanced, immediately drinkable, crowd-pleasing wine that is perceived as a great value for the price. The 2010 Willamette is an elegant and articulate wine which showcases the care and dedication put into producing this brand.

About The Winery

Raptor Ridge Winery gets its name from the many families of raptors – Red-tailed Hawks, Kestrels, Sharp-shinned Hawks and Owls – that share the winery's 27-acre estate. The vineyard is named "Tuscowallame," the indigenous word for "place where the owls dwell."  Located on the northeast side of the Chehalem Mountains, 10 miles north of Newberg, Oregon, the winery is known for handcrafted Pinot noir and Pinot Gris. The wine continues to be made by Scott Shull and his staff with a threefold philosophy:

 1) Personal involvement with the vines

2)  A working knowledge of every barrel of wine

3) Maintaining a balance of science, tradition, and spirituality.

In addition to production from its own estate vineyard, Raptor Ridge harvests wine grapes from other Willamette Valley growers, currently including:, Bellevue Cross,  Carabella, Gran Moraine, Harbinger, Meredith Mitchell, Olenik, and Shea.

Production

                The Raptor Ridge approach to winemaking focuses as much on the vineyard as the cellar. Winemaker Scott Shull partners with the growers in pruning, trellising, cluster counting and thinning, leaf pulling, quality monitoring, and all harvest decisions. During harvest, Scott is in the field alongside seasonal workers, and often transports the wine grapes back to Raptor Ridge where he oversees the crush.        

                Raptor Ridge produces about 6500 cases of wine per vintage year. Approximately nine different cuvées comprise this case quantity, including Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot noir rosé, several distinct vineyard designates, and consistent blends of Willamette Valley Pinot noir and Reserve Pinot noir. Owners Scott and Annie Shull regularly taste through and segregate every barrel into these select cuvées. Uncompromised quality is the focus, not quantity.