Region: Applegate Valley, Southern Oregon, USA
Grapes: 100% Grenache
Body: Medium
Notes: Luxardo cherry, crushed purple plums, anise spice, crushed slate, with elegant tension and an energetic, savory mineral depth
Pairing: Duck leg confit, dynamic independent charcuterie boards, slow-roasted pork shoulder, or grilled lamb skewers with rosemary
Division Winemaking Company is an authoritative, urban winemaking house based in Portland, Oregon, founded by dual vignerons Kate Norris and Thomas Monroe. Heavily inspired by the structural and transparent profiles of the Loire Valley, Beaujolais, and the Northern Rhône, the duo sources from uniquely expressive, cool-climate sites across the Pacific Northwest. Under the Division umbrella, the "Gamine" label belongs exclusively to Kate Norris—a dedicated project influenced by the terroir-driven styles her mother loves, focusing predominantly on the expressive capabilities of Rhône varieties. Embracing low-intervention practices, the domain relies completely on native yeast fermentations, neutral vessels, and minimal enological additions to deliver dynamic natural wines with high transparency.
The 2023 "Gamine" Grenache is a beautifully sophisticated, highly scannable red wine engineered to highlight tension, volume, and grace over heavy extraction. The fruit is sourced from Mae's Vineyard, an organically farmed, high-elevation site in Southern Oregon's Applegate Valley AVA. Perched on southeast-facing slopes, the vines thrive in unique pink granite soils that instill a distinctive mineral-laden backbone into the grape's raw character. To maximize the vintage's aromatic purity and balance structural depth, Kate utilizes a split vinification strategy: 50% of the fruit undergoes whole-cluster carbonic maceration in concrete vats, while the remaining 50% is handled via traditional fermentation. Pressed off and aged inside a combination of concrete tanks and a neutral French oak barrel, this zero-compromise cuvée is bottled completely unfined and unfiltered with just a minimal touch of sulfur. The resulting vibrant palate elegantly juxtaposes dark cherry and plum volumes with wild herbal top notes and fine, slatey mineral length.
Region: Applegate Valley, Southern Oregon, USA
Grapes: 100% Grenache
Body: Medium
Notes: Luxardo cherry, crushed purple plums, anise spice, crushed slate, with elegant tension and an energetic, savory mineral depth
Pairing: Duck leg confit, dynamic independent charcuterie boards, slow-roasted pork shoulder, or grilled lamb skewers with rosemary
Division Winemaking Company is an authoritative, urban winemaking house based in Portland, Oregon, founded by dual vignerons Kate Norris and Thomas Monroe. Heavily inspired by the structural and transparent profiles of the Loire Valley, Beaujolais, and the Northern Rhône, the duo sources from uniquely expressive, cool-climate sites across the Pacific Northwest. Under the Division umbrella, the "Gamine" label belongs exclusively to Kate Norris—a dedicated project influenced by the terroir-driven styles her mother loves, focusing predominantly on the expressive capabilities of Rhône varieties. Embracing low-intervention practices, the domain relies completely on native yeast fermentations, neutral vessels, and minimal enological additions to deliver dynamic natural wines with high transparency.
The 2023 "Gamine" Grenache is a beautifully sophisticated, highly scannable red wine engineered to highlight tension, volume, and grace over heavy extraction. The fruit is sourced from Mae's Vineyard, an organically farmed, high-elevation site in Southern Oregon's Applegate Valley AVA. Perched on southeast-facing slopes, the vines thrive in unique pink granite soils that instill a distinctive mineral-laden backbone into the grape's raw character. To maximize the vintage's aromatic purity and balance structural depth, Kate utilizes a split vinification strategy: 50% of the fruit undergoes whole-cluster carbonic maceration in concrete vats, while the remaining 50% is handled via traditional fermentation. Pressed off and aged inside a combination of concrete tanks and a neutral French oak barrel, this zero-compromise cuvée is bottled completely unfined and unfiltered with just a minimal touch of sulfur. The resulting vibrant palate elegantly juxtaposes dark cherry and plum volumes with wild herbal top notes and fine, slatey mineral length.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.