About rED eLECTRIC

about red electric

Energy. Tension. Beauty. At Red Electric, we believe the world’s finest Pinot Noir exhibits a vitality that bursts from a combination of tension and natural beauty. This internal coil gives lift to the wine. The depth of flavors are balanced by the bolt of energy that should run seamlessly from the captivating aromatics, through a taut mid-palate, and to a long and satisfying finish. In the best years, this nervy core should balance the maturing fruit and the wines will have a long window of fine drinking.

THE RED ELECTRIC TRAIN

From 1913 to 1929, the iconic Red Electric commuter trains began a transportation revolution, carrying passengers from Portland to the communities of the Willamette Valley that are now intimately associated with Oregon Pinot Noir—Sherwood, Newberg, McMinnville, Forest Grove, Carlton, Salem, Eugene and others. With a nod to the distinctive railcars, we hope our wines capture the electricity and excitement of that era.

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ARMSTRONG VINEYARD

16800 Lewis Rogers Lane

Newberg, OR 97132

It has been said that Pinot Noir is a mirror. To us, this means that Pinot Noir, if treated respectfully, will transparently reflect terroir and vintage. This is our goal.

All Red Electric grapes come from Armstrong Vineyard, in the privileged Ribbon Ridge AVA of the Willamette Valley. Given the scope of this project, we are able to use all sections of the vineyard to find optimal combinations of Pinot Noir clones and rootstock to assemble our final blends. The vineyard has been farmed organically since 2013 (though not certified at this time). Each year, grapes are harvested over several weeks in September and October, allowing variability in sugar concentration (brix), acid and tannin levels.

At an elevation of 300-400 feet and with south and southwest slopes, Armstrong Vineyard was planted in 2007 on the classic, ancient sedimentary soils of the Willakenzie series found in Ribbon Ridge. According to John Winthrop Haeger, Ribbon Ridge “displays uncommonly consistent, fine-textured marine sedimentary soils at all plantable elevations” (North American Pinot Noir, 2004). Pinot Noir clones at Armstrong Vineyard include Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon 114, 115, 667 and 777. In 2017, one acre was grafted over to Chardonnay (primarily Mt. Eden clone, with scion wood sourced from Cameron and Johan wineries).

Current Releases

2021 Red Electric TGV ($70)

Crimson color. Soaring aromatics display the opulence of the 2021 vintage. Blackberry, lavender, blood orange and fresh bing cherry notes intermingle with middle eastern spices such as cumin and cardamom.

2021 Red Electric pinot noir ($35)

Effusive nose on the blue-black side of the Pinot Noir spectrum, with crystallized blueberries, hint of black licorice, espresso and lemongrass. The wine is viscous, but far from cloying and effortlessly covers the palate with fruit that is braced with grainy, subtle oak, and yields a bold Pinot Noir with a ripping, multi-layered, tight finish.

2021 Red Electric Evening Primrose ($35)

Served chilled, the wine offers notes of chalk, stone fruits, flint, oyster shells and apricot pit. As it unfurls with time and aeration, honeysuckle and crunchy white peach skin dominate the nose and give way to a strong, viscous finish with dry honey, lemon skin and gooseberry.

2019 Red Electric TGV ($70)

Dark violet color with aromatics reflecting the visual opacity of the wine. Lavender, sage and boysenberry are tightly wound and emerge gradually, yielding a glimpse into the expected longevity of this wine, which will easily make old bones.

2019 Red Electric Interurban ($28)

Inviting red fruit tones of plum, pie cherry and black raspberry give way to nuanced aromas of violet and lavender. With aeration the intensity of the wine builds and the easy drinking glass of Pinot Noir will challenge your palate with dry and dusty tannins that add tension and focus to the generous fruit.

2019 Red Electric Evening Primrose ($33)

Effusive jasmine, lemon and graphite notes are immediately evident in the nose. The flavors resonate with rich white peach and pear in a structured wine framed with slate and crushed seashells. The bright acidity is balanced with richness in flavor and texture, yielding a versatile and satisfying Chardonnay.

2019 Red Electric Alpine Lily ($25)

Bright, inviting aromatics of lemon rind, pear and honeysuckle are tightly focused and promise a crisp, tense Chardonnay. The palate delivers with excellent texture and richness, and the very complete wine finishes with a vibrancy and salinity that evokes Chablis.

2018 RED ELECTRIC TGV ($70)

Rose hips, lavender and garrique nose promise a sumptuous Oregon pinot with complexity and finesse, yet the full palate delivers an abundance of dry extract, framing the body of the wine. Big-boned yet restrained in the finish with fine and chalky tannins that mellow with aeration. This wine highlights the natural abundance of Ribbon Ridge fruit with admirable restraint. Notes of provençal herbs, dry cassis and cumin predominate.

2018 Red Electric Interurban ($28)

Dark garnet. The 2018 Interurban is a genetic clone of the 2016, with a soaring nose of red plums, earth and meaty broth. This is quintessential Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir, with layers of fine rose petal, lavender and violets. Complete in the palate with a sumptuous and refined finish, this wine is a glorious introduction to the 2018 Red Electric line of Pinot Noirs.

2018 Red Electric Evening Primrose ($33)

2018 RED ELECTRIC PULSE ($50)

Aromatically complex with Asian spices such as turmeric and cumin intermingled with black cherry and kirsch notes. Taut and energetic in the palate which unfolds with aeration yielding a focused wine with length and brightness. Strong tannic structure suggests this wine will age gracefully for years. The 2018 Pulse shows restraint, yet highlights the natural bounty of the vintage and vineyard.

2015 RED ELECTRIC ($60)

Our first release with only 120 cases. Pinot Noir clones: Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon 667, 777 and 115. 18% new oak barrels. 20% whole cluster fermentation. Élevage 17 months.

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Get 10% off your purchase when you order a half case (6 bottles) or 20% off a full case (12 bottles) or more.

Use promo code “HALF10” for six bottles or “CASE20” for 12+ bottles when you checkout. Feel free to mix or match any of our current releases.

Flat Rate Shipping and Local Delivery

We’re able to ship our wines nationwide, and we are excited to announce Flat Shipping Rates!

Note: Relevant state taxes will be added to each order.
Flat Shipping Rates:

West coast 3 bottles $15, 6 bottles $25, 12 bottles $30
East Coast 3 bottles $20, 6 bottles $30, 12 bottles $50
Contact us for more information regarding national shipping for specific orders.

Free Local Delivery: Enjoy free delivery in the Portland area for 3+ bottles (allow 3-5 days for delivery).

RED ELECTRIC Team

Doug ackerman

Grape-grower Douglas Ackerman experienced his Oregon wine epiphany when served a bottle of 1993 Bethel Heights SE Block Pinot Noir at dinner in Salem. He simply could not believe that such a compelling and complete wine was produced a mere 8 miles from where he sat at that moment. His passion for great wine rapidly led him to the Old World, and the wines of Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont and Austria in particular. By 2006, Doug and his wife Michele were convinced that Oregon was producing world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—and that they needed to be a part of the wine community. When a 16 acre parcel of a beautiful horse farm on Lewis Rogers Lane became available, Doug and Michele took the plunge and began the process of developing Armstrong Vineyard.

During the first five years of grape production, all Armstrong fruit was sold to terrific local wineries and developed a reputation for exceptional quality. Old friends Doug and John discussed the idea of starting a brand based solely on Armstrong fruit—and their common vision was immediately clear: here was an opportunity to utilize all sections of the vineyard to produce the balanced, beautiful and intense wines. For John, the opportunity to come full circle and work intensively with Ribbon Ridge fruit was irresistible. Doug and Michele are delighted to have such a talented and dedicated winemaker on board the Red Electric!

john grochau

John Grochau was first introduced to wine and the winemaking landscape in his early 20s while racing bicycles for a French team in the Loire Valley. For several years, he raced through some of France’s most revered winemaking regions including Champagne, Burgundy and across the Loire Valley. When he returned to his hometown of Portland, Oregon, he went to work in the restaurant business and his appreciation for wine grew.

After more than decade selling wine in some of Portland’s finest restaurants, including a 14-year stint at Higgins, Grochau plunged into winemaking. He spent a year in Sonoma before returning to Oregon to work at Erath Winery, and then worked alongside winemaker Doug Tunnel at Brick House Vineyards for four years.

In 2002, he founded Grochau Cellars (now GC Wines), his eponymous wine label, to explore the production of food-friendly wines reminiscent of place. More than twenty years later, John has become well known in the Oregon wine industry as a friend, compatriot and community builder.

He has lent his expertise to countless winemaking endeavors and prioritized strong relationships with growers across the state. After reflecting on more than two decades in the business, he shortened the name to GC Wines to reflect the brand’s evolution from one person’s dream to a dream realized and a much bigger wine family.