{"id":22996,"date":"2021-08-15T12:46:45","date_gmt":"2021-08-15T19:46:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyovation.com\/?p=22996"},"modified":"2021-08-18T14:53:14","modified_gmt":"2021-08-18T21:53:14","slug":"winemaker-dan-warnshuis-portland-utopia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyovation.com\/2021\/08\/15\/winemaker-dan-warnshuis-portland-utopia\/","title":{"rendered":"Portland Winemaker Dan Warnshuis Creates Wine-Lovers Utopia, You\u2019re Invited"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ribbon Ridge Valley’s handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from Utopia Winery with owner and winemaker Dan Warnshuis.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Stepping onto the land at this family-owned estate of small-lot, handcrafted Pinot Noir<\/strong> and Chardonnay<\/strong> wines, you can understand why it\u2019s named Utopia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nestled into the Ribbon Ridge Valley<\/strong>, it\u2019s a beautiful plot of land that slopes down the south-facing hillsides<\/span>.\u00a0 Former horse stalls that have long since been cleared away and replaced by vineyard rows.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Advertisement<\/p>\n

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Kachava<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Today owner and winemaker Dan Warnshuis<\/strong> is playfully performing a rain dance and flirting with dark clouds that are slowly heading in his direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

He wants the rain to soften the ground so he can finish some much needed vine work — just a few inches of rain will do the trick.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Utopia-Winemaker-Daniel-Warnshuis\"
Winemaker Daniel Warnshuis waiting for the rain. \/\/ Courtesy of www.DailyOvation.com\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During our vineyard tour we learn how brutal weather conditions can torment his vulnerably thin-skinned pinot grapes.\u00a0 Like a good father, he\u2019s very protective of his fruit and their unique-to-the-area flavor.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Related: Looking for a healthy, tasty dish<\/a> with dinner tonight?<\/p>\n

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The rain slowly starts to drop and we head inside his tasting room to talk and taste.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Courtesy of www.DailyOvation.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many businesses are a successful blend of people, process and product.\u00a0 Wine is no different, but certainly tastier.<\/span><\/p>\n

Newberg, Oregon\u2019s Utopian people<\/strong> are close-knit because they\u2019re Dan\u2019s actual family.\u00a0 He started his wine journey while still living 500 miles south in Napa Valley and working the Silicon Valley grind. Just around 2000, they founded Utopia Estate Vineyard<\/strong>.\u00a0 Their first commercial vintage was in 2006 with a bit over 400 cases of Estate Pinot Noir. <\/span><\/p>\n

Just a year later in 2007, Dan, his wife, Kathy, and their daughter, Erin, relocated to the property and they\u2019ve been shoulder deep in Ribbon Ridge\u2019s gorgeous grapes<\/strong> ever since.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Winemaker Daniel Warnshius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Warnshuis himself is a fun mix of personality.\u00a0 He\u2019s a disciplined warrior having spent years as an acclaimed college-level swimmer.\u00a0 To this day, he still swims laps as often as he can.\u00a0 But he blends that with the sunny demeanor of a heavenly host. His bright eyes and wide smile glow as he surveys his property which includes plenty of room to play and party at the incredible events for his wine club who often travel from far and wide to attend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dan\u2019s Utopian Estate Winery Process<\/span><\/h2>\n

Words like \u2018bliss\u201d, \u201cfresh\u201d and \u201cbright\u201d are used often to describe his wines.\u00a0 Easy drinking, refreshing and fruit-froward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Courtesy of www.DailyOvation.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He\u2019s quick to credit the <\/span>Willakenzie<\/strong> soil<\/strong> with giving his bottled heaven its delicate qualities.\u00a0 But he\u2019s more humble about his own work.<\/span><\/p>\n

The reality is Dan\u2019s not afraid to take chances.\u00a0 He\u2019s always experimenting, pushing the envelope and tinkering — with vineyard mechanics and his winemaking process.\u00a0 For proof, taste his Pinot Noir Blanc \u201cBliss\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Four Signmatic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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It doesn\u2019t end there.\u00a0 He gets creative in his tank room; talking with the wine and playing music for his grapes to enjoy – mostly classic rock and Gregorian Chants.<\/span><\/p>\n

Time to Taste<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Courtesy of www.DailyOvation.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dan\u2019s Utopia Estate Winery<\/strong> is one of the more popular options in the area for good reason.\u00a0 Not only is Dan fun, but his wines represent the area well.\u00a0 And from the steady flow of tastings and membership pick-ups during our visit, people are loving what they taste.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Related: Ready to taste the top food, drink, and chefs<\/a>?<\/p>\n

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2018 Pinot Noir Blanc \u201cBliss\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shimmering pink in color. Fresh citrus with a burst of melon on the nose. Bright citrus and white peach on the palate.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019ll pair well with any summer evening.\u00a0 <\/span>The perfect gift for your adventurous wine friend<\/span><\/p>\n

2015 Chardonnay<\/strong><\/p>\n

Innocently pale in color. Banana aromas teasing you for the creamy seduction that\u2019s on the way. Medium bodied, fresh, and when the creamy intensity delivers, it doesn\u2019t let go.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a prime expression of what many wine-lovers think of for Portland Chardonnay.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2015 Pinot Noir Clone 777 Estate Reserve<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a treat.\u00a0 Deep red color.\u00a0 Bright cherry on the nose.\u00a0 Chewy and complex with a big, berry blast on your palette that lasts long after the sip has gone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about Utopia Estate Winery<\/a> here<\/span><\/p>\n

Shop Utopia Estate Winery<\/a> here.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ribbon Ridge Valley’s handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from Utopia Winery with owner and winemaker Dan Warnshuis. Stepping onto the land at this family-owned estate of small-lot, handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, you can understand why it\u2019s named Utopia. Nestled into the Ribbon Ridge Valley, it\u2019s a beautiful plot of land that slopes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8236,8250,8,8251,2015,8234,8239],"tags":[225,8543,8544,8420,868,8547,8545,8546,5248,4366],"class_list":{"0":"post-22996","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-food-drink","8":"category-hot-news","9":"category-lifestyle","10":"category-more-stories","11":"category-most-popular","12":"category-west-coast","13":"category-wine-county","14":"tag-chardonnay","15":"tag-dan-warnshuis","16":"tag-newberg","17":"tag-oregon","18":"tag-pinot-noir","19":"tag-ribbon-ridge-valley","20":"tag-utopia-estate-vineyard","21":"tag-willakenzie-soil","22":"tag-winemaker","23":"tag-winery"},"yoast_head":"\nPortland Winemaker Dan Warnshuis Creates Wine-Lovers Utopia, You\u2019re Invited - 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