Ovum Old Love 2023

Alcohol: 13%

Grape(s): 95% Riesling with a dash of tasty Gewürztraminer 

Localization: Oregon, USA

Tasting Notes: OLD LOVE is produced the same way as Big Salt - with a focus on developing a silky texture. The aromas are more layered and complex, and the texture is richer while remaining crisp at the same time.

OLD LOVE is a dry, white blend that dreams of capturing the summer sun in a bottle of wine. Aromas of fresh cut blood orange, salty lemon and aloe vera typify this racy, texturally rich white wine. Guided by Mother Nature, we combine the Big Salt process with a proprietary aging process to elevate the terroir that each of our five vineyards brings us (citrus, salinity, bright acidity, florality, ripe apricot).

The Domain: Founded by husband-and-wife duo John House and Ksenija Kostic in 2011, Ovum is a celebration of the diverse expressions of Oregon Riesling. After years of learning the intricacies of the Willamette Valley while working together at Chehalem, John and Ksenija set off to further investigate the myriad terroirs of Oregon through the lens of Riesling, and now source fruit from through the state. They have found sites with blustery Pacific winds, extreme diurnal shifts, and rocky, well-draining soils.

To emphasize the idiosyncrasies of these vineyards, all of Ovum’s wines see the same practices in the cellar: natural fermentations, no additions or subtractions except for SO2, extended lees contact of 8-9 months – all in neutral barrels of acacia and oak, as well as Nomblot concrete eggs. The resulting wines are textured and concentrated, driven by minerality, and framed by unwavering acidity. Ovum’s work is among the most compelling white winemaking we have encountered in our search throughout the Pacific Northwest.