Royal Wine Corp. introduces Pacifica Evan’s Collection,from the first ever exclusively Kosher winery in the Pacific Northwest

Royal Wine Corp., the largest importer & distributor of Kosher wines in North America and Evan’s Vineyard are excited to announce a joint venture, the first ever exclusively kosher winery from the Pacific Northwest. Pacifica Evan’s Collection first two wines will be an Oregon Pinot Noir and a Washington Meritage. 

After spending nearly 20 years in New Zealand crafting wines for Spencer Hill Estate, including their award winning line of Goose Bay Wines, Winemaker & Managing DirectorPhilip Jones sought to fill yet another void in the kosher wine marketplace, the Pacific Northwest.  In 2006, together with his wife, Sheryl, Philip purchased 95 acres on Underwood Mountain, across from Hood River in Oregon, an area perfect for growing cool climate grapes and close to some of Washington’s best red wine vineyards.  “Matt Rutherford (Head Winemaker) and I had made wine in New Zealand for many years and always wanted to make some of the bigger reds….those not really suited to New Zealand like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot. Because of our success in making cool climate white wines it seemed appropriate to include these in a new venture.” said Philip adding, “We knew that no one in the Northwest produced Kosher wines and Royal Wines was interested in our venture.”  The joint venture has Evan’s Vineyard producing the wines and Royal responsible for the bottling, marketing and sales.  “The match was perfect, we’d worked with Philip and Matt in the past on Goose Bay wines from New Zealand, and we were looking for wines from the Pacific Northwest to add to our portfolio.  This would become the Pacific Northwest’s first dedicated kosher winery.” said Nathan Herzog, Executive Vice President, Royal Wine Corp.

Both the Oregon Pinot Noir and Washington Meritage are scheduled for release in early 2012, with their debut in New York City at the 2012 Kosher Food and Wine Experience.

Pacifica Evan’s CollectionOregon Pinot Noirfeatures grapes sourced from the Hood River Valley and the famous Willamette Valley, home to some of the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the region. The wine is showcases notes of raspberry, red cherry and black cherry flavors with a long minerally finish.  Soft but firm, this is no doubt an Oregon Pinot Noir.