Division-Villages ‘Béton’ Oregon 2017

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The winemaking for the Béton, Division independently fermented most of the components, including one carbonic fermentation (Serra Cabernet Franc in concrete) and three traditional destemmed fermentations (Rebecca’s Gamay, the Quady Cabernet Franc, and the Serra Côt) to create a balance between the fruity carbonic wine with more nuanced and finessed traditional fermented wine. For the all the lots, they utilised spontaneous fermentation or a pied de cuve buildup from the native flora in each vineyard. Each of the ferments were fairly lengthy (with the exception of the Côt) and lasted about 25-35 days on the skins, with the wines being pressed off ranging from early to late October. Per the name of this of this Loire style red, all of the parts were blended post pressing and aged in concrete (AKA Béton).

Division Winemaking Co. is a Portland, Oregon based winery founded in 2010 by Kate Norris and Thomas Monroe. Inspired by the wineries of the Loire, Beaujolais, Burgundy and the Northern Rhone where they first learned winemaking and viticulture, the urban winery creates Oregon and Washington wines including Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay, Rosés of multiple varietals , Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Côt, Syrah, and Grenache. Determined to make approachable and balanced wines through minimal manipulation, Kate and Tom have a passion to work with well farmed terroir expressive vineyards, many of which are organic and/or Biodynamic, celebrating the varietals they as winemakers love to drink.

Division Winemaking Co. includes the flagship Division label, the more approachable Division-Villages label, the Gamine brand inspired by the Rhone Valley and a personal expression of co-founder Kate Norris’ love of the region, as well as the experimental Tripod Project label, a collaboration between co-winemaker Tom Monroe, Barnaby Tuttle of Teutonic Wine and Jesse Skiles of Fausse Piste. Division Winemaking Company is also a member of the PDX Urban Wineries Association. They represent a new generation of winemakers that are looking beyond the status quo to create unique styles of wine, with a purpose, a story and without barriers.
Both Tom and Kate have been passionate about wine for most of their lives, for Tom it was when he started an entry level sommelier course in college, for Kate is was spending time at her family home in the Loire Valley, France. The both decided to trade cubicles for winery cellars and France proved to be a perfect place for their immersion into viticulture and enology.

The 2017 Division-Villages Béton has a lightly smoked and peppery nose with gorgeous dark berries across the mid-palate and mouth-coating tannins that are grippy but not overwhelming. Juicy and low alcohol with the spirit of a red blend from the Loire Valley.

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