Petillant Naturel named after Ducleaux founder’s Navy dad grabs first place in white wine category, all the way from Eastern Oregon The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
March 6, 2023, Portland, OR — This past weekend was a big one for Ducleaux Cellars, a small 1,500 case winery owned by Toby Turlay and husband Chris Dukelow, who came from Eastern Oregon and swept the Best of Show for white wines award at the Portland Seafood and Wine Festival. Call Sign, the winery’s first estate Petillant Naturel (Pet Nat) sourced from their Rocks District of Milton Freewater AVA Belle Roche Vineyard, is made from Roussanne. The 2022 is the third vintage of Call Sign, and Ducleaux emerged the victor out of 40 wineries at the annual festival.
Call Sign was named in honor of Toby’s dad, Navy fighter pilot Commander William E. Turlay who performed over 800 carrier landings in his 22 years of service. He is champagne lover, earning him the flight call sign of “Champagne One,” from sneaking cases of Champagne onto the ship to share with his squadron. As an honor to her dad, his love of Champagne and his years of service, Toby and Chris named this wine Call Sign. As well as his career in the military, Turlay served on the Vancouver City Council for 8 years.
Ducleaux Cellars specializes in Rhone varieties such as Syrah, Viognier, Roussane and Mourvèdre, sourcing grapes from their 10-acre estate. With Toby as Winemaker and Chris at her side, the two run a highly personalized yet professional tasting experience on the east side of The Rocks District.
“I’m really proud of how this wine came together, said winemaker Toby Turlay. “It’s always a favorite of people who visit us in The Rocks, and to raise a glass to my dad Bill with this award is a true honor.”
Ducleaux also won a Silver medal for their 2018 Love & Chaos and a Bronze for their 2019 Raucous, after winning a Gold medal from the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival.
More about Ducleaux Cellars
Founded by Toby Turlay and Chris Dukelow, Pacific NW locals who met on match.com more than a decade ago, the duo’s journey is benchmarked with serious wine made by not-so serious folks.
More about Puncheon PR
Puncheon is the go-to for writers seeking under the radar wineries who have a similar vibe and powerful stories to tell. Often the small artisan producer stories are committed to conservation. They are the ones representing the next generation of wine drinkers from the next generation of wine makers.
