NEWBERG, Ore. — With 23,000 wines tasted, reviewers selected an Oregon sparkling wine as the top choice on Wine Enthusiast’s “100 Best Wines of 2024.”
The team at ROCO Winery in Newberg is celebrating the top ranking for its ‘2013 RMS 10-Year Delayed Disgorgement Brut,’ which received a Wine Enthusiast score of 98 out of 100.
Reviewer Michael Alberty, who also works for The Oregonian, said he knew immediately in blind tastings that ROCO’s sparkling needed to be at the top.
“When I hit that wine, I remember thinking, ‘That’s one of the best sparkling wines I’ve had from the West Coast in a very long time,’” he said.
ROCO’s sparkling wine bested competitors from around the world, including those from Champagne, France. Winemaker, and ROCO founder, Rollin Soles said people in the wine industry tend to support each other.
“I have a lot of friends in Champagne,” Soles said, “and they love my wines.”
Soles founded Argyle Winery before starting ROCO Winery in 2003. Rollins is known for his classic winemaking skills, and particularly, his talent with sparkling wines.
“This is the perfect region for making bubbles because it’s so cool close to that cool ocean out there,” he said.
Wine Enthusiast is one of the most prestigious publications and online magazines in the wine industry.
Those wine tasting at ROCO Tuesday afternoon had already heard the big news and were thrilled to get a taste of the number one pick.
“It’s bright,” said Jason Vitkovich. “It’s got good mouthfeel.”
“A little bit of lemon curd and beautiful brioche,” said Holly Bacon.
ROCO’s 1993 sparkling wine is not the only Willamette Valley wine to make the “100 Best Wines” list. CHO Wines’ 2018 Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Pinot noir (32) and Corollary Wines’ 2019 X-Omni Blanc des Blancs (36) made the list. Also, Domaine Serene’s 2015 Vintage Brut Sparkling (40).
According to the Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA), this marks the first time all Willamette Valley wines featured on Wine Enthusiast’s list were sparkling.
Alberty said, “The future is here,” as Oregon sees more young winemakers getting into the sparkling business.
“And everyone once and awhile,” Alberty said, “the old hands come along, like Rollin Soles, who has been doing this for a very long time. They want to remind you, the old hands can make great sparkling wines, as well, and that was certainly the case with this one.”
Soles believes the Willamette Valley is the top new region for sparkling wines in the entire world.
He said it’s nice to create a wine people often associate with holidays and parties.
“It’s sunshine in a glass!”
ROCO will be serving its top-rated sparkling wine during this weekend’s “Wine Country Thanksgiving” event, in which many wineries in the Willamette Valley and beyond are holding special tastings. It’s also available for sale online.