Spangler Vineyards
Spangler wines are extraordinary. But don’t take my word for it. Just a sample of the winery’s many recent awards tells all:
• Gold medal for its 2007 viognier at the 2008 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
• Silver medals for its 2006 sauvignon blanc and chardonnay at the 2007 West Coast Wine Competition
• Double gold medal for its 2005 cabernet franc from Riverside International Wine Competition
In 2004, Pat and Loree Spangler purchased Spangler Vineyards. Fortunately they didn’t need to start from scratch. They bought an existing winery and vineyard on the outskirts of Roseburg, after being put off by Napa’s high prices. Another selling point: Southern Oregon offered the perfect place to grow Bordeaux grapes. Sure, Oregon’s reputation is wrapped up in pinot noir, but in the Land of 100 Valleys, the Spanglers could show the world that Umpqua produces other fine wines. They knew they could successfully grow warm-weather grapes, such as cabernet franc and tempranillo, that were every bit as good as those cultivated in other wine-growing regions of the world. After all, as celebrated Californian wine writer Dan Berger put it, Umpqua is “the last great undiscovered wine region.”
Pat and Loree met in Chicago at a wine-tasting party. Their love for wine and Pat’s winemaking hobby led to a well-stocked wine cellar and numerous trips to Napa, where the couple discovered the region’s exceptional wines. And oddly enough, Pat’s place in suburban Chicago actually had vinifera wine grapes growing in the backyard — an omen of things to come, perhaps?
The move to Roseburg meant more than finding a good place to make wine. It also gave the Spanglers a great place to raise their young daughter, Sydney; the area has good schools, great outdoors, and plenty of parks. In addition to the three human Spanglers, other family members include an Akita (Jasmine) and a German shepherd (Sage). Both dogs are semi-permanent fixtures at the winery and members of the winery’s welcoming committee.
Spangler Vineyards’ tasting room provides an inviting space for sampling the winery’s many award-winning wines. You can also finish your holiday shopping or score on a great gift for a loved one (or for yourself). Loree has a great eye for unique and high-quality merchandise that happens to pair perfectly with their best-in-show wines. Thanks to Spangler Vineyards, Oregon’s pinot-centric reputation will need to make room for a new kid on the block.
-
Order the book!
Spangler Vineyards was featured in WineTrails of Oregon as part of the Umpqua Valley WineTrail South on page !
