Panther Creek Cellars Debuts Portfolio of Tony Rynders' Single Vineyard Wines

Legendary Winery Showcases Carter Vineyard Collaboration

News provided by

Jul 16, 2015, 03:51 ET

DUNDEE, Ore., July 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Panther Creek Cellars, one of the first Oregon wineries recognized for its exceptional regional blends and single vineyard designate wines, especially Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, has released 6 single vineyard designates crafted under the direction of acclaimed Consulting Winemaker Tony Rynders. In collaboration with Ken Wright, Founder of Panther Creek, the winery has released its 2013 Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir. Signature wines were highlighted at a library wine tasting and luncheon, "Panther Creek Past and Present", on July 13^th at Imperial restaurant in Portland. James Beard award-winning chef Vitaly Paley created a menu paired with Rynders' unique offerings: 2013 French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, 2013 Kalita Vineyard Pinot Noir and 2013 Schindler Vineyard Pinot Noir.

(L-R) Tony Rynders, Consulting Winemaker, Panther Creek Cellars; Doug Adams, Executive Chef, Imperial; Vitaly Paley, Chef/Owner, Imperial; Ken Wright, Founder, Panther Creek Cellars; Sam Bronfman, Co-Founder, Managing Partner, Bacchus Capital. Photo Credit: Chris Bidleman

Tony Rynders, Panther Creek Cellars Consulting Winemaker. Photo Credit Chris Bidleman

(L-R) Tony Rynders, Consulting Winemaker of Panther Creek Cellars and Ken Wright, Founder of Panther Creek Cellars and Ken Wright Cellars. Photo Credit: Chris Bidleman

"Panther Creek was one of the pioneers of single vineyard Pinot Noir offerings in Oregon. I welcome the opportunity to add my imprint to this already impressive body of work," commented Tony Rynders.

"I am very excited to be reunited with fruit from Carter, one of the original vineyards for Panther Creek," continued Rynders. "I am honored that Ken was open to the idea of collaborating on a wine for Panther Creek, the iconic winery he started over 25 years ago. He is overseeing the grape growing for Carter Vineyard while I am making the wine. This project represents a unique opportunity to tie Panther's storied past with its bright future. And it highlights the strong sense of community that makes Oregon such a special place."

"The chance to work with Tony again and be a part of Panther's next chapter, particularly through my own Carter Vineyard, is emblematic of the Oregon wine industry; a sense of history, place and people. It is an industry of relationships and shared passion," commented Ken Wright, Founder of Panther Creek Cellars and Ken Wright Cellars. "Vineyard-designate bottlings are the foundation of Panther Creek."

"Panther Creek is one of Oregon's acclaimed wineries," noted Sam Bronfman, Cofounder and Managing Partner of Bacchus Capital. "How lucky to have such a rich legacy as well as the promise of an exciting and rewarding future."

"Panther Creek Past and Present" Wine Tasting and Luncheon July 13^th at Imperial in Portland

The "Panther Creek Past and Present" wine tasting included 1993 Domaine Serene Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir, 1994 Ken Wright Cellars Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir and 2013 Panther Creek Cellars Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir.

A 3-course lunch prepared by chef Vitaly Paley followed: Escargots Bourguignonne, gougeres fromage fort, jambon persille, paired with 2013 Panther Creek Cellars French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, cedar planked salmon, Walla Walla onions, new potatoes, smoked porcini mushrooms, paired with 2013 Panther Creek Cellars Kalita Vineyard Pinot Noir and a selection of cheeses - creamy brie, fresh goat cheese, grilled cherries, warm parker house rolls paired with 2013 Panther Creek Cellars Schindler Vineyard Pinot Noir.

About the Wines

2013 Panther Creek Cellars Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir

Eola - Amity Hills AVA

Tasting Notes: Blossoming violet and pomegranate swirl around a core of lightly smoked oak, oozing with black cherry. Elegant and sophisticated, meant to age with grace and beauty.

Production: 150 cases

Vineyard: 100% Carter Vineyard

Suggested retail price: $65 / bottle

2013 French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay

Columbia Valley AVA

Tasting Notes: Lemon chiffon pie, caramel and a subtle core of citrus create a creamy and delicious Chardonnay with beautifully balanced acidity and luxuriant lushness.

Production: 215 cases

Vineyard: 100% French Creek Vineyard

Suggested retail price: $50 / bottle

2013 Kalita Vineyard Pinot Noir

Yamhill Carlton AVA

Tasting Notes: Big, dark candied fruit accompanies intense floral aromas of lilac and gardenia. Fruit forward with the balance of good structure, satiny texture and balanced acidity. Definitely cellar-worthy.

Production: 167 cases

Vineyard: 100% Kalita Vineyard

Suggested retail price: $50 / bottle

2013 Schindler Vineyard Pinot Noir

Eola-Amity Hills AVA

Tasting Notes: This is a big, masculine, black fruited beauty. Light smoke with delicate coffee undertones support the expansiveness and fine grain tannins of this wine. The silky explosion of black fruit leaves a lasting appropriately weighted finish. Extremely cellar-worthy.

Production: 423 cases

Vineyard: 100% Schindler Vineyard

Suggested retail price: $50 / bottle

Panther Creek Tasting Room

110 SW Highway 99W
Dundee, Oregon 97115

Open Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Call or email Christie Shertzer for information.

Telephone: (503) 472-8080 or [email protected]

About Panther Creek Cellars

Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Panther Creek Cellars has been producing signature Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay wines since 1986. Founded by the renowned winemaker Ken Wright, Panther Creek has been recognized for its signature blends as well as single vineyard designate wines. The winery has been credited by Robert Parker as "producing some of Oregon's most concentrated and age worthy wines." From 2013 onward, the Panther Creek wines have been made by the highly acclaimed Tony Rynders.

Panther Creek is a portfolio company of Bacchus Capital Management.

For more information, visit www.panthercreekcellars.com

About Bacchus Capital Management

Bacchus Capital Management is an investment firm providing strategic capital and making equity investments in United States wineries and wine businesses.

Current Bacchus portfolio companies are: DeLille Cellars, Madrigal Family Winery, Maritime Wine Trading Collective, Panther Creek Cellars, Sbragia Family Vineyards, Dobbes Family Estate / Wine by Joe.

Prior Bacchus portfolio companies are Andretti Winery, Cameron Hughes Wine, and Qupe.

For more information, visit www.bacchuswinefund.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150716/237716

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150716/237714

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150716/237715

SOURCE Panther Creek Cellars