Fly High Vineyard Seeing Signs Of A Post-recession Rebound

Fly High Vineyard 2009 White Room Pinot Gris sales promotion brings profits & attracts new customers

RUCH, Ore. - After a two-year slump, domestic wine retail sales in 2010 increased 7% from the prior year according to a recent study from the Wine Institute. For the first time, the US consumed more wine than France. As in previous years of sluggish wine sales, consumers are starting to reach for - and spend more on - their favorite vintages. And one Oregon winery is seeing signs of a post-recession rebound.

"This is the first sales promotion we've had on any of our wines," says Sandra King, owner of Fly High Vineyard of Ruch, Oregon. "Our 2009 White Room Pinot Gris is very fruit-forward with full ripe flavors of lemon, pear and apple. This wine just says Summer, and is appropriate for any Summer meal. So, we are running a summer sale price of $14 a bottle, $11 if you are a Wine Club member." The profits on such sale promotions may be small, but like most sales, it attracts new customers.

The day I visited the tasting room, wines offered for sampling included LongSword 2009 "Invitation" Chardonnay ($19), 2009 "Accolade" Semi-Sparkling Chardonnay, and 2007 "Salut� Atrevido" Syrah ($25). And then there were three from Fly High Vineyard: 2009 "White Room" Pinot Gris ($14), 2009
"Windsock White" Viognier, and 2009 "Barnstormers Red" Tempranillo ($19). "Accolade" may be LongSword's most popular wine, but I also like the non-sparkling Chardonnay. The Fly High Tempranillo is a good value, priced below other local Tempranillos. Fly High also has a good 2007 Reserve Syrah, while LongSword offers a fine dessert Chardonnay called "Conversation" Vin de Glace.

As the recovery creeps forward, resistance to slashing prices is apt to grow but eventually things will go back to normal. As you peruse the list of wines available for tasting, you may note that while some say "LongSword," others are labeled as "Fly High Vineyard." That's because these wines are a blend of two enterprises: Matthew Sorensen's LongSword Vineyard and Sandra King's nearby Fly High Vineyard. They share a winemaker and a tasting room. www.fhlv.net