In the context of a truly mom and pop winery, this is as good as it gets. Five happy stars for the hospitality and the wine! Becker wines are not sold in retail outlets, so a visit to the winery is both fun and the only way to buy these really good wines.
HOSPITALITY:
We loved every minute of the time we spent at Becker. From meeting owners Charles and Peggy as well as winery dogs Mueller (140 pounds of pure sweetness in a black lab and St. Bernard mix) and Willow (a beautiful bloodhound) to talking to Peggy about their wines and about the art and science of winemaking in general. We tasted several Becker wines and bought several bottles to take with us.
We even loved the reason for a bit of a traffic delay on the road leading up to Becker. But you'll have to look at the photos to find the source of that! (Hint: Guinea fowl, anyone?)
TASTING SET UP:
No tasting fee, at least on the day we were there, and several bottlings were offered for tasting. We enjoyed every wine we tasted and bought eight bottles. Very good value of affordable prices for wine of this very good quality with an additional 20% off with purchase of six bottles or more.
WINE:
Producing 600 cases of wine a year, the Beckers plant the vines, tend them and make the wines themselves too. This is the essence of artisan wine making. If you want to know why decisions were made in the various vintage years or why one type of oak barrel was chosen over another for aging of their reds, when the wine maker who is hands-on for the decisions is doing the pouring, it's a fun discussion.
Becker whites were crisp with nicely balanced acid and an extended finish. Lots of pear and apple on the nose and palate for the Pinot Gris made it particularly yummy and we are always delighted to find such good Mueller Thurgau as made here.
The reds were bold and even as young as they are had restrained tannins letting the flavor of the grapes shine. These Pinot Noir had "oomph", in particular the 2009 Reserve which was one of three being tasted. I particularly liked the sort of peppery finish on the Reserve PN, reminiscent of Syrah. These are entirely different than Pinot Noir produced from Willamette Valley grapes. A very nice outcome for my palate.
We bought the PN Reserve, Mueller Thurgau, Syrah, Pinot Gris and a blended red called Mud Dog. The latter, named for winery dog Mueller who appears on the label, is a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Pinot Noir. Peggy says for Willow not to be left out, she and Charles are working on a new blended wine named for her!
Becker wines are good to drink now and if we can exercise the restraint to lay them down for a bit, they will get even better.
THIS N THAT:
1) The owners had the interest in equal access for all wine drinkers and they installed ramps into the charming (wood ceiling, big patterned rugs), cozy (fresh flowers on tables) tasting room.
2) Travel Tip if you visit Becker, here's a suggestion for a lovely afternoon:
a) Start with a nosh at My Coffee in Roseburg - a great neighborhood place.
b) Then head to Becker.
c) Afterwards, for the other end of the money and size spectrum in winemaking, drive to nearby Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards for a unique tasting experience.
d) Then take the beautiful back country drive to Lighthouse Center Bakery in Umpqua for wonderful vegan and vegetarian breads and other good things to eat in or take away to use when you pop the cork on a bottle of Becker wine that evening.
You'll have fun - we promise! read more