2021 Red Electric Pinot Noir Armstrong Vineyard Ribbon Ridge Oregon 750 ml

Even 10 years ago, a single-vineyard Pinot Noir from a superstar AVA and a classic vintage was a rarity around $20. That’s why Red Electric’s Pinot Noir is so special. The wine hails from the prestigious Ribbon Ridge AVA, home to luminaries like Beaux-Frères and Bergström. Crystalline and brambly, it’s a stellar effort that Wine Enthusiast called “a fantastic value.” 

Winemaker John Grochau has been at it over 20 years now and has earned the respect of his colleagues vintage by vintage, bottle by bottle, after starting from nothing. He’s one of the best Oregon winemakers you’ve never heard of.

John, who we met back in 2005, partnered with his longtime friend Doug Ackerman for Red Electric, named for old streetcars that used to connect Portland with towns in Yamhill County. Ackerman planted the Armstrong Vineyard to an assortment of clones in 2007 and sold all the fruit for its first five years before holding some back to launch this brand with John.  

Humble and easygoing with a dry sense of humor, John is a 100% self-made guy who does not seek the limelight. He lets his wines do all the talking.