Family owned and operated Cathedral Ridge Winery is truly a showcase for the distinctiveness and diversity of the spectacular variety of grapes grown in Oregon’s Columbia Gorge region. With a winery situated in the stunning Columbia River Gorge and a beautiful tasting room in Dundee, to give Willamette Valley visitors a taste of the unique terroir of the Columbia Gorge and Columbia Valley AVAs, winemaker Michael Sebastiani and owner/cellar master Robb Bell bring over 70 years of experience to crafting more than 25 big, bold reds, signature blends and delicious whites in the styles of Europe’s Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhine and Rhône regions. Focused on the extraordinary microclimates of the Columbia Gorge, which allow almost every single variety of grape to ripen to perfection within 35 miles of the winery, Cathedral Ridge works with 13 premier local vineyards to select the best fruit harvested at the perfect time and lovingly crush it and place it in tanks in under six hours.
Located in Oregon’s beautiful Hood River, the winery is sublimely serene and scenic, an ideal destination for special and corporate events, and home to a wonderful wine club. Both the winery and the tasting room in Dundee are open daily for tastings with a friendly team to help make your visit truly memorable. Both locations also offer intimate private tasting experiences by appointment.
AN INTERVIEW WITH WINEMAKER Michael Sebastiani
T&T: How did you—a nice Sonoma, California, resident with the name “Sebastiani”—first get involved with Cathedral Ridge Winery?
MS: I’ve known Robb for many years. He has worked with my family for quite some time in Sonoma. Robb saw the potential of the Hood River and Columbia Gorge region early on and created Cathedral Ridge Winery to display regional wines. We investigated the various vineyards and found that there was great potential. So we agreed to make wine together!
T&T: As an accomplished fourth-generation winemaker, what appeals to you about working with the fruit sourced for Cathedral Ridge wines?
CS: The vineyards for Cathedral Ridge Winery remind me of Sonoma in its youth. In fact, the rainfall and vineyard practices are very similar. To work with Robb on the forefront of the area has been an inspiring project. We work together well because we both know each other’s wine style and agree on how we want to represent the vineyards and showcase their nuances. We let the grapes be themselves. We consider it our job to best present these flavors.
T&T: We’re continually impressed by the wide range of wines displayed in this portfolio. Why this diversity and why so many?
MS: The attraction to the Hood River area and the Gorge region is its wide diversity. In a 20-mile span, we can find premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling. Move a short distance to the east and there’s a prime climate for our Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Merlot. And we’ve been finding prime microclimates for new varieties like Barbera, Petite Verdot, and Malbec. From our earliest years of making wine together, it has been our style to present a flavor spectrum. We realize that palates vary, so we want to present all those flavors. We feel that we are chauffeuring the regional flavors and letting us all discover our own likings. We are lucky to have worked with many local growers who share the same vision.
For more information, please visit: cathedralridgewinery.com
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