Ledger David Cellars – Vineyard and Winery in Southern Oregon

Latest News

Ledger David’s Robert Trottmann Selected as Wine Barrel Artist for this Year’s Oregon Wine Experience

Posted on
RobertBarrel2

The barrel will be auctioned off at the Oregon Wine Experience Medal Dinner and Barrel Auction on August 19 at Bigham Knoll.

RobertBarrel1

Robert’s artistic wine barrel embodies the story and history of the Ledger David Brand and will be on display at Harry & David in the weeks leading up to Oregon Wine Experience.

By Regina Vaccari with Additional Content by Event Organizers

You know he can cook. You know he can talk wine. But did you know that he is also a multi-talented artist?

It is for this reason that event organizers selected Robert Trottmann as one of just a handful of local artists commissioned to design a wine barrel for this year’s Oregon Wine Experience. Robert’s barrel is a true inspiration that embodies the story and history of the Ledger David brand.

Robert, who holds a Masters in Fine Arts (M.F.A.), uses unique painting and carving techniques in this utilitarian piece that represents ‘the pictorial narrative tradition’.

“By utilizing various images and symbols I hope to tell an open ended story,” Robert says. “While the images I utilize have special and important meaning personally, each viewer can and will bring their own associations, memories and understandings to the work. In doing so it is possible to have a more expansive content accessible to a wide audience.”

The barrel will be on display at Harry & David Country Village in Medford in the weeks leading up to the event. The one-of-a-kind barrel will then be auctioned off at a special Medal Celebration and Barrel Auction, Wednesday, August 19 at 6pm.

You can also join Robert and the Ledger David team at Oregon Wine University for Wine 101: How to Choose, Pair and Serve Wine. This interactive class, which takes place Thursday, August 20 at 1pm at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville, takes attendees on a journey through a brief overview of wine sensory and evaluation, what’s behind the tasting notes, and simple methods to help you pair your go-to wine with your favorite foods. Course is $49 and includes logo wine glass, wine flight and sample food pairings. For more information or to register, visit www.theoregonwineexperience.com.

The Oregon Wine Experience is Oregon’s newest destination event. The entire week-long event will be held August 17 to 23 at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville. Sponsored by the Asante Foundation and Southern Oregon wineries, this will be a spectacular week of extraordinary wines and fabulous meals served in a backdrop of some of the Northwest’s most dramatic and beautiful wine country.

The Oregon Wine Experience will showcase what many critics have called the next great wine region. It will feature wine talks, tastings and sensory classes, intimate vintner dinners, wine competition, and auctions crowned by an outdoor salmon bake with music and dancing under starlit skies.

Proceeds from the Oregon Wine Experience benefits Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) and other healthcare programs supported by Asante Foundation. Asante Foundation organizes community support for quality healthcare in Asante’s nine-county region serving over 600,000 people in Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon and Northern California. As a CMN designated hospital, Asante provides the highest level of pediatric care in the region.

The Oregon Wine Experience grew from World of Wine, an annual Southern Oregon Wine event started in 2002 by three local vintners, Cal Schmidt of Schmidt Family Vineyards, Lee Mankin of Carpenter Hill Vineyard, and Joe Ginet of Plaisance Ranch. In 2014, Asante joined the event.

For tickets and information, visit www.theoregonwineexperience.com or call 541-789-5025.

Oregon Wine Experience Schedule of Events

Wednesday, August 19
Medal Celebration & Barrel Auction
6 to 9 p.m. at Bigham Knoll, Jacksonville
Guests will get the opportunity to taste extraordinary wines directly from the barrel and then bid on those wines’ futures. Art auction also included.

Thursday & Friday, August 20 & 21
Ultimate Vintner Dinners
6 p.m. at Various Wineries in Southern Oregon
Enjoy an intimate, one-of-a-kind dinner with vintners as they open their homes, wineries, vineyards, and cellars to guests.

Saturday, August 22
Miracle Auction & Salmon Bake
4:30 to 10 p.m. at Bigham Knoll, Jacksonville
Serving the most important aspect of Pacific Northwest cuisine, fresh Pacific Salmon. Buffet includes beef and pork carving stations, an abundant selection of top-of-the season fresh produce, gourmet salads, and hand-crafted delectable desserts. Gold and Silver award-winning wines will accompany this amazing meal.

Miracle Auction featuring Live, Platinum and Silent Auctions is followed by music, dancing under the stars, and the opportunity to exchange stories and share more wine around the fire embers.

Sunday, August 23
Grand Tasting
2 to 5 p.m., Bigham Knoll, Jacksonville

Winemakers and owners from 50-plus wineries will showcase more than 100 of the best wines unique to the region. This event offers the ultimate wine tasting experience accompanied by an array of tasty food samples provided by local caterers and restaurants.

Monday through Friday, August 17-21
Oregon Wine University: Wine discovery series
Various times each day at Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville and at the Southern Oregon Wine Institute in the Umpqua Valley.

Ledger David Wine Scores 92 Points, Named ‘Editor’s Choice’ by Wine Enthusiast

Posted on

Sauvignon-Blanc-2014By Regina Vaccari
Marketing Director

Shhh….we’ve been keeping a secret so hard not to tell. How our latest vintages of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin and other wines turned out so well!

We are happy to share that the Editors at the Wine Enthusiast – one of the world’s leading resources for wine news – recently reviewed and rated Ledger David wines. Before the results are announced in the publication’s August Issue, we wanted you to be the first to hear the results!

Ledger David 2014 Sauvignon Blanc – 92 Points, ‘Editor’s Choice’
“Fermented in stainless steel and one neutral barrel, this aromatic and compelling wine is clean, fresh and full of delicious fruit.” – Editor Paul Gregutt

Ledger David 2013 Primoris Chenin Blanc – 91 Points, ‘Editor’s Choice’
“Chenin Blanc is quite rare in Oregon, and this wine, from vines planted just five years previously, may inspire others to follow suit…The balance and length are just right and the varietal character is in evidence throughout.” – Editor Paul Gregutt

With just 87 cases of the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc produced and only 182 cases of the 2013 Chenin Blanc produced, these wines are offered with limited availability while vintage lasts.

Ledger David also received 89 Points for its 2012 Sangiovese and 2011 Syrah. Both wines are available on a limited basis.

The results will be published in the magazine’s August Wine Buying Guide online and in print.
For more info, visit http://buyingguide.winemag.com/.

To purchase any of these wines, visit www.ledgerdavid.com/buy-wine/.

Petit Verdot, Uncle Donald & Bobcat, Oh-my!

Posted on

By Owners Lena Varner and David Traul

Never a dull moment. Seriously. The typical “busy-ness” of a family with small children, careers and the unyielding entrepreneurial spirit. Still, some experiences at Varner-Traul vineyards have been a bit unique even for country living. The recent visit of Uncle Donald (David’s brother), allowed us to gain this insight at the end of May as we reflected back to recent events.

A brief recap, perhaps? Starting with the addition of our youngest and first little girl, Hudson Jo, during harvest of 2014. Yes, October 17th. Near the end of harvest, and for us, almost a tradition following in the footsteps of her oldest brother Ledger, who was born during our first harvest in October 2009. Her first ride on a tractor, bundled up next to mommy at just a week old. Her first visit to the winery only a few days later.

June2015BlogPostPic2

Uncle Donald, David and baby girl Hudson Jo tour the vineyard.

Next, Petit Verdot, a stubborn grape came in last during the harvest of 2014. With our first vintage (2013) varietal being released this month, we have grown to love David’s few rows of this wine grape in our vineyard. A truly opulent wine.

Harvest ended abruptly after the red varietals were in as a black bear and her cub cleaned up several tons of late harvest white fruit (mainly Chenin Blanc). Luckily we had picked some Malvasia Bianca for our newest dessert wine production. Still those grand paw prints, and holes under the fence (large one for mother, small for baby) were amazing to see. Even more impressive the bears’ ability to devour rows of fruit overnight, without disturbing the vines, as polite as they were.

This spring, we noticed a momma bobcat and her kittens. The mother seen several times in our “wilderness” landscaped area, David noticed the pointed ears of a baby bobcat about 50 feet from our front door, sitting under a tree at sunset just a few weeks ago—what a sight!

Then the impromptu visit from Uncle Donald at the end of May. He was last here when Ledger was only a few months old. Of course, we spontaneously “cleared” the schedule. Taking Uncle Donald on our evening vineyard walks, feeding the neighbor’s rescue horses, introducing him to grilled Rogue Creamery cheese sandwiches and Viognier under the tree at the tasting room. Then ending the day with toddler wrestling, mini pool waterfights, and summer grilling.

Uncle Donald’s visit a treat? Yes. One of those impactful moments? Definitely. For the newest addition, Hudson Jo, the Traul boys, Ledger and Slater, and the proud mom (vineyard manager and tasting room owner)? Invigorating. The quiet moments shared between David and Donald, most likely spent remembering the vineyard and wine dreams with their father? A gift.

Thank you Uncle Donald & to our Ledger David Family.

Mushroom Risotto with Ledger David 2012 Sangiovese

Posted on

By Robert Trottmann

Ingredients
9 1/2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 1/2 pounds fresh mushrooms (your choice- I used cremini)
7 cups (about) low-salt chicken broth
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup finely chopped leek (white and pale green parts only)
1 1/4 cups Arborio rice (8 to 9 ounces)
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
Ledger David Sangiovese

Preparation
Slice the mushrooms into thirds. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 of mushrooms and sprinkle with salt. Sauté mushrooms until tender and beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to medium bowl. Working in 3 more batches, repeat with remaining 8 (divided equally) tablespoons butter, remaining mushrooms, and salt and pepper.

Bring the chicken broth to simmer in a saucepan and keep warm. Melt remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leeks, sprinkle with salt, and sauté until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add rice and increase heat to medium. Stir until edges of rice begin to look translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the wine and stir until liquid is absorbed.

Add 3/4 cup warm chicken broth; stir until almost all broth is absorbed, about 1 minute. Continue adding broth by 3/4 cupfuls, stirring continuously until almost all broth is absorbed before adding more, until rice is halfway cooked, about 10 minutes. Stir in sautéed mushrooms. Continue adding broth by 3/4 cupfuls, stirring until almost all broth is absorbed before adding more, until rice is tender but still firm to bite and risotto is creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, if using.

Serve with additional Parmesan and chopped Italian parsley.

This is wonderful main dish or can be served as a side with grilled meats.
Enjoy!

Join Ledger David and the Peerless Restaurant for an Exclusive Winemaker Dinner June 27

Posted on

Join Ledger David and the Peerless Restaurant for an Exclusive Winemaker Dinner
Saturday, June 27 at 7pm

FIRST COURSE
Thai Red Curry King Crab Salad
Scallop Crudo, Sea Asparagus, Belgian Endive,
Avocado & Meyer Lemon Olive Oil
Paired with 2013 Primoris Chenin Blanc

SECOND COURSE
Foie-Honey Glazed Squab Breast & Confit Leg
Roasted Gold Beet, Pickled Mustard Seed, Cherry Gastrique & Chocolate Mint
Paired with 2012 Cabernet Franc

THIRD COURSE
Seared Kobe Strip Loin
Brown Butter Gnocchi, Foraged Mushrooms,
Vanilla-Poached Baby Carrot, Fava Beans & Syrah Bordelaise
Paired with 2011 Syrah

FOURTH COURSE
Peach Sorbet & Cinnamon Angel Food Cake
Toasted Rose Water Meringue, Marcona Almond, Yuzu Curd & White
Chocolate Ganache
Paired with 2014 Malvasia Bianca

$85 per person. Reservations required. Limited seating.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Peerless Restaurant at (541) 488-6067.

Peerless Restaurant | 265 4th St. | Ashland, OR 97520

Summer Wine Club Pick Up

Posted on

Join Ledger David Cellars for our summer Primoris Wine Club pick up party June 19, 20 & 21 at Le Petit Tasting Room. Celebrate the new release of our 2013 Malbec. The premiere 2011 vintage of this exciting varietal took home a gold medal at the 2014 LA Int’l Wine Competition. Only 73 cases of this stellar 2013 vintage produced.

Other wine club selections include a pre-release of our popular Vouvray-style 2014 Primoris Chenin Blanc and our elegant 2012 Sangiovese. Enjoy these new wine releases with Latin-themed small bites paired with saucy sides.

Private Wine Club Hours: Fri & Sat | 5-8pm (RSVP Requested)
Regular Hours: Sun | Noon-5pm

BILLING INFO:
Please let us know if your billing information has changed. Call Heather Davis at (541) 664-2218 or email [email protected] and she would be delighted to update your payment information before processing your wine club order. For your convenience, you can also now update your credit information online with our secure wine club form.

WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS:
We will be processing orders on Monday, June 15. As a reminder, 3-bottle members receive a 15% discount, 6-bottle members 20% and 12-bottle members 25% discount on all wine club selections.

OTHER PICK UP OPTIONS:
If you are unable to join us during this event weekend, your wine club selections will be available after Monday, June 22 at the tasting room in Central Point (next to the Rogue Creamery) any time during regular hours.

May 15 Winemaker Dinner at Ledger David

Posted on

Join Winemaker Kiley Evans and the Ledger David team for an intimate winemaker dinner on Fri., May 15 at 6:30pm at Le Petit Tasting Room in Central Point. Featured wines include a pre-release of our 2013 Malbec paired with a special menu created by Chef Bill Prahl from Déjà Vu Bistro & Wine Bar.

Cost is $65 for wine club members, $70 for non-wine club members.

Reservations Required. Limited Seating.
Email [email protected] or call (541) 664-2218 for more info.

MENU

Chilled Lobster, Baby Bok Choy, Toasted Almonds & Orange Salad
Paired with 2013 Viognier

Cassoulet of White Beans, Morels, Spanish Chorizo, Tricolor Pepper Confit
Paired with 2012 Tempranillo

Spice Braised Crispy Pork Belly, “Tobacco” Caramelized Red Onions, Farro, Blackberry Gastrique
Paired with 2011 Dark Night

Sweet Spicy Barbequed New York Shell Steak, Tomato Jam, Potato Artichoke Gratin
Paired with 2013 Malbec

“Peaches & Cream” Oven Roasted Peach Crepes, Vanilla Crème Anglaise, Pistachio Dust
Paired with 2014 Malvasia Bianca

Ledger David Gleans Winemaking Insight from Legendary Winemaker Gary Figgins of Leonetti Cellar

Posted on

By Kiley Evans, Winemaker

leonetti

David and Kiley toured the wine barrels of Leonetti Cellar.

A relentless pursuit of quality. This mantra guides every winemaking activity at Ledger David Cellars. The pursuit of quality takes many different forms, as well. Scientific research, vineyard experiments, and cellar trials have merit in the pursuit, but the wisdom handed down from those with more experience has its place, as well. When that wisdom comes Gary Figgins, who planted the first commercial vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley and with his wife founded Leonetti Cellar as the first commercial winery in the Walla Walla Valley nearly 40 years ago, it takes on serious weight. Leonetti Cellar is a legendary vineyard and winery whose focus has always been on quality. Their exceptional wines, consistently reviewed and rated as among the very best in America, combined with a very limited supply creates an undeniable mystique, as evidenced by the 3+ year wait to get on their mailing list. While justly revered for monumental, collectible, impossible-to-get Cabernet Sauvignons, what many may not realize is that Mr. Figgins produces arguably the best, and most highly respected, Sangiovese on the planet that isn’t from Italy.

Owner David Traul and I had the great fortune to meet Gary and Vineyard Manager Jason Magnaghi recently and when the opportunity arises to sit with the Master and his benchmark wines one seizes the chance to take proper objective measure of one’s efforts. We tasted the Ledger David Sangiovese from multiple vintages. The comments were encouraging (deep, ripe, effusive fruits with great weight and acid/tannin balance). We also were fortunate to taste the Leonetti 2005 and 2010. Both were beyond impressive for their balance, integration, presence, and personality. Trying to choose between the two would be an exercise in futility as they were so different, yet so utterly delicious.

We toured the winery, cellar, bottling room, and barrel cave. We discussed, among other topics, all things Sangiovese from trellising to crop loads to fermentation to blending to aging. The questions, answers, and discussions were lively and the wealth of knowledge offered was astounding. What we learned is that we are doing quite a few things right in the vineyard and winery. Our crop loads are in line for the variety when considering our spacing and site. Solid vineyard management. Our wines are showing a good balance of fruit, oak, and spice with the variety’s typical dustiness. The intensity and concentration are there. Varietal character? Check. What we also learned is that there are some areas of experimentation we should explore that could have potentially huge impact on wine textural quality, length, and longevity. No, we’re not going to spell it all out in this short blog post, but trust us when we say the bar is about to get raised…again.

Kick Off Spring with Oregon’s Best Cheese & Wine!

Posted on

OR Cheese Guild 2015 Dinner Menu FINAL 021815By Regina Vaccari

Calling all fine cheese and wine lovers! Kick off spring with Ledger David this weekend at Le Petit Tasting Room in Central Point as we celebrate the 11th Annual Oregon Cheese Festival. It’s always a busy, fun time during this annual event, held this year at the Rogue Creamery, Saturday, March 14 from 10am-5pm. To complete their culinary experience, event attendees make it a tradition to stop at the Artisan Corridor’s neighboring wine and chocolate shops. That’s where we come in!

We’ll be open from noon-5pm to greet you with a selection of your favorite wines paired with warm tomato soup and clam chowder, and fresh baked bread. Don’t miss live music from local artists from 1-4pm. If you’re heading over to the big tent at the Creamery, stop by and see David & Deanna!

Ledger David is honored to have been selected as one of four wineries featured at the pre-event Cheese Maker Dinner the night prior to the festival, on Friday, March 13. Our 2011 Orion’s Nebula is being paired with Braised Kurobuta Pork Cheeks with a Bing Cherry Infused Pan Jus, Fresh Mozzarella (Face Rock Creamery Curds), Grilled Ciabatta, Arugula & Hazelnut Oil.

We stopped to talk to event organizers about the event. We found out that Southern Oregon (actually Central Point) is the birthplace of the Oregon Cheese Guild, which was founded in 2006. Rogue Creamery was the site of the first Oregon Cheese Guild Benefit Dinner and the first Oregon Cheese Festival.

The event features a unique menu, an opportunity to learn about some of the finest cheese in Oregon directly from the cheesemakers (OSU Creamery, Face Rock Creamery, Ancient Heritage & Fern’s Edge Goat Dairy) as well as an opportunity to learn about Oregon wines from the winemakers. All event proceeds benefit the Oregon Cheese Guild.

For more info, visit www.oregoncheeseguild.org.

Cheers!

Ledger David Wins Top Scores at San Francisco
Chronicle Awards

Posted on

By Kiley Evans

Dateline: San Francisco, CA.
Event: The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Result: Ledger David Cellars brings 9 medals back to the Rogue Valley including 4 for our first vintage efforts!

2011 Malbec. 2011 Dark Night. 2011 Syrah. 2012 Epitome of Three. Our first vintage of these crowd favorites medal at the 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Tack on awards for 2011 Orion’s Nebula, 2013 Sauvignon blanc, 2012 Sangiovese, 2012 Cabernet franc, and 2013 Primoris Chenin blanc, too.

Why is this a big deal? First of all, the fact that we are such a young winery makes us a legitimate David versus Goliath when compared to the big name established wineries. It’s a role we really enjoy, too. Secondly, we validate our focus on both varietal wines and blends. Our first Tempranillo-based blend, 2011 Dark Night, our first Syrah-based blend, 2012 Epitome of Three, and our flagship Cabernet franc-based blend, 2011 Orion’s Nebula, all brought home some hardware. Imagine the look on the judge’s faces when the bags are removed and our wines are standing right there toe to toe with the big brands with international reputations! We can almost hear the judges say, “That wine is from where? They grow that in Oregon? Seriously?”

The sheer size of the SF Chronicle Wine Competition, over 6,400 entries, is what makes it such an important measurement for our wines. The event conducts blind tastings by some of the country’s most highly regarded professionals in the wine, restaurant, travel, journalism, and academic industries. When the size of the playing field is considered, a medal at the Chronicle Competition is considered more prestigious than most others. Here’s to a great contest and inspiring results!