Dec 30, 2022
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Owen Roe
| Owner(s) | David O'Reilly, Gerald Owen |
| Web site | www.owenroe.com |
| Link to this site |
David O'Reilly is one of the few Irish-born winemakers in the United States. His family fled Belfast at the height of that city's friction between Catholic and Protestant factions in the late 1990s. The family originally settled in British Columbia before David headed south to California where he majored in philosophy.
During O'Reilly's travels, he visited Oregon's Willamette Valley, where he was smitten and he landed a job at Elk Cove Vineyards, where he befriended one of the seasonal assistant winemakers, Peter Rosback, who was also Irish. Together they left Elk Cove and Rosback founded Sineann (named after Ireland's Shannon River) and O'Reilly started Owen Roe (named after the famous Irish patriot who held off Cromwell's army before being poisoned with some evil breakfast cereal). Along with partner Gerald Owen who manages the vineyards, O'Reilly crafts powerful Pinot Noirs as well as Chardonnay, Riesling, and several red varieties. Some of the vineyard sources are in northern Oregon and Washington.
O'Reilly Pinot Noir and Owen Roe Sharecropper Pinot Noir are Willamette Valley blend that are inexpensive and wildly popular. Single vineyard Pinot Noirs come from Kalita Vineyard and Merriman Vineyard. A unique Pinot Noir is sourced from the Santa Maria Valley.
The winery and tasting room is located in Newberg near the airport at 2761 E. 9th Street. Various tasting options are offered. Special Cellar Table tastings require an appointment.
The winery produces 50,000 cases per year of all wines. The wines are sold on the website.
Articles About Owen Roe
2014 Oregon Pinot Noir First Team All-Americans (10.2 12/22/2014)
2014 Oregon Value Priced Pinot Noir First Team All-Americans (10.2 12/22/2014)
Large Review of 2009 & 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs With a Few from 2008 & 2011 (9.7 5/9/2012)
O’Reilly’s Oregon Value Pinots (7.22 8/5/2009)
Rece$$ion Busters (7.15 3/26/2009)
Recent Sips of Pinot Noir & A Few Whites (10.7 4/6/2015)
Saint Patrick’s Day is a Time for Celebration of Wine as well as Green Beer and Irish Whiskey (12.4 3/22/2020)
Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Pinot Noir & More (9.42 5/25/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Wines (9.39 3/29/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (10.22 12/12/2015)
Small Sips of Oregon Pinot (8.19 8/8/2010)
Small Sips of Recently Tasted Willamette Valley AVA Pinot Noir (10.16 9/3/2015)
Small Sips of Santa Maria Valley (6.54 3/3/2008)
Reviewed Wines
2014 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $39. Pommard,
Wädenswil and Dijon clones.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of huckleberry, grape, sandy
soil, and green olive. A bold and assertive wine attacking with rich dark berry flavor that lingers on the finish. A
bit awkward, with muscular tannins that stick out. Caliesque in style. Not as appealing as previous vintages that
I have recommended, but may come together with more time in bottle.
Score: 87-88.
Reviewed December 12, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Sharecropper’s Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $22, screwcap. From Owen Roe.
·
Moderately
light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, cranberry and spice with a tug of new-sawn oak. Light
to mid weight, oak-infused cherry and raspberry fruit flavors underpinned with mild tannins and juicy acidity. A
bit heavy-handed with oak and shallow in fruit.
Score: 85.
Reviewed September 3, 2015
ARTICLE »
2013 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $37. Clones are Pommard, Wädenswil
and Dijon.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The scents
of black cherry, spice box, cardamom and wine cave are alluring. Very
attractive flavors of red and black cherries and a hint of strawberries.
Juicy, with balanced and supple tannins and a cherry force that lingers on
the finish. A superb forward-drinking wine that always delivers in every
vintage.
Score: 91.
Reviewed April 5, 2015
ARTICLE »
2012 Sharecropper’s Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $20. By Owen
Roe.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The pleasing aromas keep
coming over time in the glass including black cherry, black raspberry and
cardamom spice. Mid weight but full-flavored with a bevy of darker stone and
berry fruits supported by ripe tannins. Very soft in the mouth and easily
accessible with some finishing drive and opulence. One of Oregon’s greatest
value-priced Pinot Noirs.
Score: 91.
Reviewed July 6, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $42. Winemaker David O’Reilly is one of
the few Irish-born winemakers in the United States. This wine is named
after the Kilmore Doorway which is displayed on the label in a photo.
This Romanesque doorway was a sculpted entrance to the ancient
Trinity Island Abbey in County Cavan, Ireland. Here the great patriot
Owen Roe O’Neill sought solace during his quest for Irish
independence. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon clones from vineyards in the
Yamhill-Carlton District.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The
nose offers an array of enticing aromas including raspberry, dried cherry,
sassafras, leather saddle and sandalwood. Modest in weight, but highly flavorful, the wine offers notes of black
cherry, black raspberry, spice, dark chocolate and coffee. Very gracious and easy to drink now, this beauty has
the balance and tannic backbone to age effortlessly in the cellar for 5 to 10 years. I loved the 2010 vintage of
this wine, and this vintage is a hair better.
Score: 95.
Reviewed March 29, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Owen Roe Lenné Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $44. Label depicts Muckross Abbey in County Kern, Ireland
that was swept up in Owen Roe O’Neill’s battle for Irish freedom in the 1640s.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Extroverted nose with a
flourish of black raspberry, plum and spice aromas. Delicious essence of fresh
black raspberry and blackberry with a touch of tea and cola. The velvety texture
is captivating and fruit-filled finish pulls you back for more. Firm, but wellbalanced
tannins suggest long term age ability. Well-crafted juice from one of
Willamette Valley’s premier vineyards.
Score: 93.
Reviewed July 6, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Owen Roe Merrimen Vineyard Wädenswil Block Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $44. Sourced from a 30-acre vineyard farmed by owner Mike Merriman. The label depicts the
Abbey of Clonmacnois in Ireland.
·
Medium reddish purple hue in the glass. Perfumed with hi-tone aromas of
black cherry and baking spices. Modest in weight but flavorful, offering a rainbow of redder fruits with accents
of spice, mocha and vanilla. Soft, silky and very giving with welcome brightness and harmony.
Score: 92.
Reviewed July 6, 2014
ARTICLE »
2010 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton District Oregon Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., 988 cases, $42. Sourced from Lennè and Merriman
vineyards. Aged in 33% neutral, 39% 2-year and 28% 1-year French oak
barrels. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon Clones.
·
Medium reddish-purple
color in the glass. Subdued but very pleasing aromas of black
cherries, black raspberries, plum and violets. Hits the mid palate with
enormous tenacity, offering delicious black raspberry, marionberry, cola and
vanilla cream flavors which linger on the spiced, fruit-scented finish. Very soft
and alluring in the mouth. Plenty of Pinot singing in this sensational wine that is
ready to drink now.
Reviewed May 11, 2012
ARTICLE »
2008 Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Oregon Pinot Noir
13.0% alc.,
$21.
·
Deep ruby color. Amazing nose of crushed berries with a lovely
roseate accent and some subtle oak toast in the background. Light in
style and soft in texture with more restrained acidity than the 2007
version. Earth and oak notes in the background augment the berry
flavors. A little lacking in the short finish, but overall this is a very
pleasant drink for the tariff.
Reviewed August 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2008 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $35. Pommard, Wädenswil, and Dijon clones from
selected unnamed vineyard sites.
·
Moderately deep color. Subdued aromas of
berry compote, wet earth, mushroom and subtle spice. Hints at greatness but is
closed. Tight in the mouth offering glimpses of black cherry fruit and some
mocha magic. Nicely crafted, but like many 08 Pinots from Oregon, just not
exciting now and needs cellaring. Very good.
Reviewed August 7, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Oregon Pinot Noir
This is a very popular Pinot Noir sourced from several Willamette Valley
vineyards. Like the O’Reilly’s, crafted by David O’Reilly.
·
Unique and
pleasurable aromas of strawberry tart, brioche, sandalwood and vanilla
wafers. Primarily strawberry flavors with a hint of root beer. Nicely
balanced with soft tannins and a dry, clean finish. I like this wine
because the acid doesn’t overpower as it does in many Oregon 2007 Pinot Noirs.
One of the best 2007 under $25 Pinot Noirs I tasted.
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Owen Roe Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $36. A Santa Maria Pinot Noir from an
Oregon producer. Sourced from Bien Nacido Vineyard. The winemaker is David O’Reilly, one of the
few Irish born American winemakers. The image of an old Mission Church along El Camino Real in
California is on the label. Aged in used barrels.
·
Deep purple color. The nose is brooding with ripe
plum, fig and barnyard aromas. Plentiful ripe black fruits drifting toward Syrah in heft and flavor profile.
Full-bodied and smooth in texture. A big fruit-driven wine that lacks Pinot charm for me, but is the current preferred
style of this winemaker.
Reviewed March 3, 2008
ARTICLE »
2014 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $39. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon clones. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of huckleberry, grape, sandy soil, and green olive. A bold and assertive wine attacking with rich dark berry flavor that lingers on the finish. A bit awkward, with muscular tannins that stick out. Caliesque in style. Not as appealing as previous vintages that I have recommended, but may come together with more time in bottle. Score: 87-88. Reviewed December 12, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Sharecropper’s Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $22, screwcap. From Owen Roe. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, cranberry and spice with a tug of new-sawn oak. Light to mid weight, oak-infused cherry and raspberry fruit flavors underpinned with mild tannins and juicy acidity. A bit heavy-handed with oak and shallow in fruit. Score: 85. Reviewed September 3, 2015 ARTICLE »
2013 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $37. Clones are Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The scents of black cherry, spice box, cardamom and wine cave are alluring. Very attractive flavors of red and black cherries and a hint of strawberries. Juicy, with balanced and supple tannins and a cherry force that lingers on the finish. A superb forward-drinking wine that always delivers in every vintage. Score: 91. Reviewed April 5, 2015 ARTICLE »
2012 Sharecropper’s Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $20. By Owen Roe. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The pleasing aromas keep coming over time in the glass including black cherry, black raspberry and cardamom spice. Mid weight but full-flavored with a bevy of darker stone and berry fruits supported by ripe tannins. Very soft in the mouth and easily accessible with some finishing drive and opulence. One of Oregon’s greatest value-priced Pinot Noirs. Score: 91. Reviewed July 6, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $42. Winemaker David O’Reilly is one of the few Irish-born winemakers in the United States. This wine is named after the Kilmore Doorway which is displayed on the label in a photo. This Romanesque doorway was a sculpted entrance to the ancient Trinity Island Abbey in County Cavan, Ireland. Here the great patriot Owen Roe O’Neill sought solace during his quest for Irish independence. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon clones from vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton District. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The nose offers an array of enticing aromas including raspberry, dried cherry, sassafras, leather saddle and sandalwood. Modest in weight, but highly flavorful, the wine offers notes of black cherry, black raspberry, spice, dark chocolate and coffee. Very gracious and easy to drink now, this beauty has the balance and tannic backbone to age effortlessly in the cellar for 5 to 10 years. I loved the 2010 vintage of this wine, and this vintage is a hair better. Score: 95. Reviewed March 29, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Owen Roe Lenné Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $44. Label depicts Muckross Abbey in County Kern, Ireland that was swept up in Owen Roe O’Neill’s battle for Irish freedom in the 1640s. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Extroverted nose with a flourish of black raspberry, plum and spice aromas. Delicious essence of fresh black raspberry and blackberry with a touch of tea and cola. The velvety texture is captivating and fruit-filled finish pulls you back for more. Firm, but wellbalanced tannins suggest long term age ability. Well-crafted juice from one of Willamette Valley’s premier vineyards. Score: 93. Reviewed July 6, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Owen Roe Merrimen Vineyard Wädenswil Block Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $44. Sourced from a 30-acre vineyard farmed by owner Mike Merriman. The label depicts the Abbey of Clonmacnois in Ireland. · Medium reddish purple hue in the glass. Perfumed with hi-tone aromas of black cherry and baking spices. Modest in weight but flavorful, offering a rainbow of redder fruits with accents of spice, mocha and vanilla. Soft, silky and very giving with welcome brightness and harmony. Score: 92. Reviewed July 6, 2014 ARTICLE »
2010 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton District Oregon Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., 988 cases, $42. Sourced from Lennè and Merriman vineyards. Aged in 33% neutral, 39% 2-year and 28% 1-year French oak barrels. Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon Clones. · Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. Subdued but very pleasing aromas of black cherries, black raspberries, plum and violets. Hits the mid palate with enormous tenacity, offering delicious black raspberry, marionberry, cola and vanilla cream flavors which linger on the spiced, fruit-scented finish. Very soft and alluring in the mouth. Plenty of Pinot singing in this sensational wine that is ready to drink now. Reviewed May 11, 2012 ARTICLE »
2008 Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Oregon Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., $21. · Deep ruby color. Amazing nose of crushed berries with a lovely roseate accent and some subtle oak toast in the background. Light in style and soft in texture with more restrained acidity than the 2007 version. Earth and oak notes in the background augment the berry flavors. A little lacking in the short finish, but overall this is a very pleasant drink for the tariff. Reviewed August 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2008 Owen Roe The Kilmore Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $35. Pommard, Wädenswil, and Dijon clones from selected unnamed vineyard sites. · Moderately deep color. Subdued aromas of berry compote, wet earth, mushroom and subtle spice. Hints at greatness but is closed. Tight in the mouth offering glimpses of black cherry fruit and some mocha magic. Nicely crafted, but like many 08 Pinots from Oregon, just not exciting now and needs cellaring. Very good. Reviewed August 7, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Oregon Pinot Noir
This is a very popular Pinot Noir sourced from several Willamette Valley vineyards. Like the O’Reilly’s, crafted by David O’Reilly. · Unique and pleasurable aromas of strawberry tart, brioche, sandalwood and vanilla wafers. Primarily strawberry flavors with a hint of root beer. Nicely balanced with soft tannins and a dry, clean finish. I like this wine because the acid doesn’t overpower as it does in many Oregon 2007 Pinot Noirs. One of the best 2007 under $25 Pinot Noirs I tasted. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Owen Roe Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $36. A Santa Maria Pinot Noir from an Oregon producer. Sourced from Bien Nacido Vineyard. The winemaker is David O’Reilly, one of the few Irish born American winemakers. The image of an old Mission Church along El Camino Real in California is on the label. Aged in used barrels. · Deep purple color. The nose is brooding with ripe plum, fig and barnyard aromas. Plentiful ripe black fruits drifting toward Syrah in heft and flavor profile. Full-bodied and smooth in texture. A big fruit-driven wine that lacks Pinot charm for me, but is the current preferred style of this winemaker. Reviewed March 3, 2008 ARTICLE »