Nysa rolls out its first new variety in 18 months since its 2023 release of 2017 Méthode champenoise Sparkling Blanc de Noir
September 24, 2024, Dundee, OR —It’s been a year of firsts for Oregon’s Nysa Vineyard, including their first time pouring at IPNC in 2024, and an inaugural Sparkling wine release of its 2017 Blanc de Noir in 2023. And while the year is still young, there’s another first for the Dundee Hills producer; September 2024 will see the launch of Nysa’s first Marsanne—a variety that’s a rare find in Oregon, and one that’s not oft en made in the Willamette Valley.
The 2023 Nysa Vineyard Marsanne is crafted in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley, and the fruit sourced from Threemile Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. Only 75 cases produced, the soil type there is Cherryhill Loam (Sedimentary) and the wine spent seven months in elevage in neutral French oak barrels. Nysa’s Marsanne is unfined and unfiltered, and its taste is rich and opulent with subtle acidity.
Winemaker and grape grower Michael Mega says of this premiere batch: “Marsanne has always been my go-to with roast chicken and creamy pasta dishes,” he said. “In an acid-driven region like ours, it’s been fun to play with the flavors of Marsanne. When I tasted what grapes the Gorge had to offer, I knew I could make this into a premium white wine befitting of the Dundee Hills.”
This Rhône style grape is often blended with Roussanne but the Nysa variety will be 100% Marsanne white wine. Marsanne wines are characterized by their elegance and because of their moderate to light acid, they are aromatic and tend to be consumed on the young or early side. Although mostly consumed young, Marsanne wines manage to age incredibly well, taking on rich honeyed lemon and nutty notes.
Sitting from 600-720 feet in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley the vineyard enjoys all cardinal aspects with the eastern slope predominant. Nysa was founded by Mega in 1990, when Oregon was home to 330 vineyards compared to today’s 1,411. With 42 acres, currently 20 under vine, Nysa subscribed to what Mega refers to as “patient cellaring,” to allow the concentrated Pinots to fully bloom and express the nuances of each vintage.
Nysa wines, including this new Marsanne, are available online and at the tasting room, along with Nysa’s Blanc de Noir, Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
About Nysa Vineyard:
Planted from 1990 through 2006 on volcanic Jory soil, with basalt bedrock 8 to 12 feet below the surface, the 20 acres of densely spaced dry farmed vines yield highly concentrated fruit. Given this optimum site, the vinicultural goals are to limit crop load, control disease, and allow physiologic maturity to manifest in tandem with optimum sugar and acid levels. More about Nysa’s thoughtfully crafted winemaking is available here on the Nysa Vineyard website.
