What's New: Collection
Happy Holidays!
Dec 23, 2011
As 2011 winds down, we want to raise a glass to all the wineries, distributors and accounts who made this year so much fun for us.
We also look forward to 2012 and the new challenges, surprises, relationships and rewards it will bring.
Cheers!
Your partners at Northwest Core Collection
Click here for an interactive version of our card
Love from Josh Raynolds
07/15/11
More great press coming out on the 2008 and 2009 vintages for Oregon Pinot Noir! The July/August issue of International Wine Cellar is out, and the three wineries who submitted from NW Core all had at least one 93 point wine in the bunch:
2008 Bethel Heights Casteel Reserve Pinot Noir:
Complex, spice-accented bouquet displays raspberry preserves, cherry-cola, potpourri and smoky minerals. Energetic and precise on the palate, offering juicy red and dark berry flavors that show impressive depth and energy. Gains weight with air, picking up a mocha note and finishing with impressive power and focus. I'd stash this away for at least five more years.
2008 Dobbes Family Estate Pinot Noir Joseph Dobbes Cuvee Exceptionelle Pinot Noir:
Deep ruby. Kaleidoscopic scents of red and dark berry preserves, singed plum, incense and vanilla, plus a sexy note of spicy gingerbread. Lush, expansive and appealingly sweet, offering powerful black raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors that are at once seamless and energetic. Ripe and extremely persistent on the finish, with the dark berry and spice notes repeating. Impressively rich but has improbable energy too.
2009 Penner-Ash Wine Cellars Pas de Nom Pinot Noir:
Bright ruby. Black raspberry, cherry-cola, incense and fresh rose on the highly perfumed, oak-spiced nose. Supple and sweet, offering deep red and dark berry preserve flavors and notes of candied flowers and spicecake. A suave vanilla note builds with air and carries through the very long, juicy, smoke-accented finish. Smooth and very seductive now, but has the depth to reward at least another five years of aging.
All scores on PDF
Download the PDF (178 KB PDF PDF)
Welcome to the team, Joe and Eric!
6/1/11
For immediate release:
The Northwest Core Collection portfolio expands to include Dobbes Family Estate / Wine by Joe / Jovino and Hamacher Wines.
Portland, OR – June 1, 2011 -- Northwest Core Collection, Inc. (NW Core), a national sales and marketing company specializing in Oregon and Washington wineries, announced their new partnership with two premium Oregon wineries, Hamacher Wines and Dobbes Family Estate, including the Wine by Joe and Jovino brands.
Hamacher Wines was founded in 1995 by winemaker Eric Hamacher. Hamacher focuses on expressive, balanced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Willamette Valley under the Hamacher label, as well as an Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under the “H” label.
After apprenticing in Burgundy in the 1980s, native Oregonian Joe Dobbes has been making wine in the Willamette Valley since 1989. He makes wine under three different brand names: Dobbes Family Estate is his high-end Pinot Noir label; Wine by Joe, a value-price Oregon appellation label, specializes in Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris; Jovino, is his value-priced on-premise only label.
Rob Alstrin, NW Core founder and partner, is excited about the introduction of these new brands. “Both Joe Dobbes and Eric Hamacher are seasoned Oregon winemakers and fit in well with our ‘Core Collection’ of great producers. These are strong Oregon brands with a national presence. We anticipate great success building their distribution throughout the country.”
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Download the PDF (20.4 KB PDF PDF)
New sales manager in the Midwest!
3/14/11
Jennifer Fernandez joins Northwest Core Collection as the Midwest Region Sales Manager.
Portland, OR – March 14, 2011 -- Northwest Core Collection, Inc. (NW Core), a national sales and marketing company specializing in Oregon and Washington wineries, announced the appointment of Jennifer Fernandez as Midwest Region Sales Manager effective February 14, 2011. In her new role, Fernandez will oversee sales and market development for the NW Core wineries in 13 Midwestern states.
Jennifer brings 11 years of wine sales experience at both the wholesale and supplier levels to her new role. Prior to joining NW Core, Fernandez was a regional sales manager for Row Eleven Wine Company where she was responsible for managing sales and market development in 3 Midwestern states. She also held various sales and management positions at the wholesaler level in Chicago with Louis Glunz Wines & Judge & Dolph (now Wirtz Beverage Group).
“I have known Jennifer for a long time,” said Rob Alstrin, partner and CEO of NW Core. “She is extremely hard-working and very personable. After 10 years of seeing her out in the market, it is very exciting to bring her into the company and have a chance to work side-by-side to sell this portfolio.”
Seasons greetings (and a peek at the future!)
Dec 24, 2010
Greetings from everyone at Northwest Core Collection!
2010 was a whirlwind year, as we spent time working our existing brands in the market and hitting the streets to make wine move.
Now we're going to take a little time out with friends and family for the holidays, and be ready to go with an exciting line up of brands for 2011.
Click this link for the high-res version you can zoom in on:
A look at 2010, and a peek into 2011
Harvest 2010 is underway!
Oct 13, 2010
All across Oregon, winemakers have lucked out yet again! After a late, cool summer vineyard managers started to worry a bit. As October came in, though, we were gifted some truly amazing weeks of warm, sunny days and light breezes.
As of writing this morning, Abacela has brought in Albarino and the first blocks of Tempranillo. A to Z and REX HILL have pulled in some fruit from the estate vineyard and Southern Oregon. The first Pinot Noir came in at Penner-Ash on October 8th. Bethel Heights has scrubbed down the winery, refitted the tractors, and you'll find them kicked back on the deck, watching the glorious sun do its work on their estate vineyards. (OK - no one is ever that relaxed in October!)
While all this happens in Oregon, we know it is busy all across the country as sets go up and lists are printed for the big season. Hang in there, everyone!
Links to winery blogs:
Abacela @ Blogspot
Bethel Heights @ Wordpress
Oh, technology
Sep 16, 2010
The one-stop shop to get connected to all the NW Core brands!
Twitter
Click to see Abacela on Twitter
Click to see Bethel Heights on Twitter
Click to see Penner-Ash on Twitter
Click to see Northwest Core on Twitter
Facebook
Click to see A to Z on Facebook
Click to see Abacela on Facebook
Click to see Bethel Heights on Facebook
Click to see Penner-Ash on Facebook
Click to see REX HILL on Facebook
Click to see Northwest Core on Facebook
Feedback from OPC 2010
Jul 12, 2010
Oregon Pinot Camp makes a lasting impression on the campers every year. This is a brief snapshot of some of the positive feedback from this year’s group:
Thank you Dan,
I had a wonderful time at OPC and thoroughly enjoyed my experience learning about Oregon wine country. The people were fantastic and the properties eye-opening to see. I look forward to introducing more of my clientele to the great wines of Oregon.
Again thank you,
Santiago Wilkenson
Med: Mediterranean Restaurant
Boulder, CO
Thanks for helping put on such a great show. This was my 2nd tour of OPC and I enjoyed it even more this time. I couldn't think of anything that could be improved upon, seriously.
Thanks, Charlie
Charlie Kimbrough
Terra Bistro
Vail, CO
I can't express how much I enjoyed OPC! The area, the people, the wines, the knowledge were all amazing. I was very impressed with the logistics involved getting all those people to those seminars on time. The dinners (and lunches) and especially my day 3 event (Slow Lunch in the Chehalem Mtns) were excellent.
OPC certainly had a huge impact on me and I am very excited about selling Oregon wines. I will cherish the relationships made with people all over the country and some from other countries. Thank you so much for having me there.
Scott Burum
Angell's Bar and Grill
Boise, ID
Hey Mimi,
Wanted to say thanks to you and your family for being part of opc - and being one of my favorite stops while there. The energy and vibes from your winery & family pretty much sums up what oregon wine country is, in my mind.
I have reconnected with the distributor in my area that sells your wines and am now pouring your chardonnay btg. Will get the Casteel Pinot Noir back on the list when the next vintage is available to me.
Thanks again for making opc such an incredible experience for all of us. Please keep me on your radar if you find yourself in my neck of the woods - would love to do a dinner or tasting with you!
Take good care,
Nick Wyatt
1618 Seafood Grille
Greensboro, NC
Dear Sue,
I had an incredible time at OPC. It was remarkably well done. Could you please forward this to the wineries that participated. I figured any comments will be helpful.
After spending time with many of you in the Willamette Valley I realized something about the region that is specifically unique when compared to the rest of the globe.
Oregon vintners possess a uniqueness of character; humor, integrity, and unity that is an active catalyst in producing varietals of great expression and purity. Through a soulful connection and loving touch you have a relationship where the grape tells the farmer when it is ready, and the farmer is waiting with a warm or anxious smile for that timely picking. You are the richest representation of American spirit and tenacity in achieving excellence.
Lawrence J. von Weigel
Occidental Grill & Seafood
Washington DC
Just in time for summer enjoyment...
Jun 1, 2010
Grab any of these white wines, and you're sure to be pleased. From crisp and minerally to bright and fruity, you can find a perfect match for fresh summer dishes and warm, sunny afternoons.
A to Z/REX HILL and Abacela finished Year 1 of the Carbon Neutral Challenge!
Apr 28, 2010
"The participating wineries — 14 finishers of an arduous process that launched with 30 wineries signed on — instituted a number of changes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions including installing solar panels, retrofitting lighting, insulating tanks and using goats, sheep and raptors instead of lawn mowers and pesticides."
The first step to the challenge is identifying the size of your carbon footprint and determining the sources. From there you can minimize your impact and make more informed decisions with future options. And at the end of the day, you can buy off-sets for that small portion you just can't eliminate.
Earl Jones, co-owner of Abacela, says the biggest impact at Abacela was opting to buy all their electricity from the Douglas Co-op, which uses hydroelectric, solar and wind as their sources. At the end of the program, by making smart choices along the way with shipping, recycling and more, they had one of the lowest off-set credits to buy in the group.
For full-text of the article from Sustainable Business Oregon check out this link
Download the Abacela press release in PDF here.
Download the PDF (18 KB PDF PDF)
We welcome our new National Sales Manager, Mike Kelton
Apr 5, 2010
He's all over the NW Core site already, picture, bio, the whole nine yards:
Full press release can be found at the link below --
Northwest Core Collection, Inc. (NW Core), a national sales and marketing company specializing in Oregon and Washington wineries, announced Mike Kelton will be taking over the role of National Sales Manager.
In his new role, Kelton will be overseeing the existing remote sales team and building portfolio brands’ presence in the national market in addition to focusing on regional and national chain placements. The timing is optimal as dramatic changes in the market have happened over the last two years, and the company is expanding and adding to its skill set with the addition of Mike Kelton. “I am thrilled to find someone with such complimentary and seasoned experience to what we already have at Northwest Core Collection as we head into this new era of wine sales,” says Rob Alstrin, Owner and Founder of Northwest Core Collection.
Kelton joins NW Core with 23 years of distribution experience, working previously with Quality Beverage, Tarrant Distributors (now RNDC), Palm Bay International and most recently, Billington Wines/Winebow. His expertise in chain grocery, clubs & mass retail, gives him both the knowledge and the relationships to help NW Core’s sales team achieve great success.
Download the PDF (21.3 KB PDF PDF)
Spring releases have begun!
Mar 29, 2010
Spring is here, and with that brings some longer days, a little more rain and some great new releases in the portfolio:
Kicking off the spring season (and the beginning of my "think pink" mindset that lasts through Thanksgiving) we have the new 2009 A to Z Rose - a stunning rose wine filled with berries and beautiful acidity.
From Abacela we have the much anticipated release of the 2009 Abacela Albarino. I had the good luck to be out at the winery when they were bringing in these grapes last fall, and expert hands have captured all the complexity and flavor from those delicious berries in this bottling.
Another great white wine to check out is the new 2009 Bethel Heights Pinot Gris. The '09 vintage in the Willamette Valley was long, with a dry October that extended hang times and brought out wines such as this one - great acidity, flavor development and intensity.
In reds we released the 2008 Penner-Ash Rubeo, their irreverent blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah. This juicy, ripe red wine is going to be a great summertime drinker, with body and structure that calls for grilling and nights on the deck with friends.
We also have the new 2007 REX HILL Jacob-Hart Vineyard Pinot Noir, and elegant way to cap off this list. This biodynamically farmed vineyard produces wines with complexity and beauty.
There is something new for every palate right now, and we have more great wines coming up soon. Check in with your NW Core regional manager to see what we can do to help you round out your wine lists and shelves!
February Blitz in AZ
Feb 3, 2010
The sales team all met up in Phoenix, AZ, from February 3-5 for a sales blitz with our local distributors, RNDC and Quench, and a retreat session. We all agreed that having a chance to work in another market is educational in itself, and we'll try to do that more often. (And going to AZ in the spring when half of us are from cold, snowy climates isn't shabby, either!)
Facebook and Twitter? We are so there!
Feb 1, 2010
We hopped on the Twitter and Facebook bandwagon, but as the web admin here at NW Core, I have to admit that I failed to post the links on our site! Here the are - the best two ways to follow us in real time:
Become a fan on Facebook
NW Core Facebook Fan Page
Or live life on the road with us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/NWCore
Oregon Certified Sustainable Wines
Jan 28, 2010
A new certification, Oregon Certified Sustainable Wines (OCSW), is appearing on labels, starting with the 2008 vintage. This logo guarantees that wines were made using sustainable practices in the vineyard and in the winery. 17 wineries have achieved the certification already, including our own A to Z, REX HILL and Bethel Heights brands. Visit http://ocsw.org/ for more information, or read the attached article by Ted Farthing, published the UK publication Drinks Business.
Download the PDF (293 KB PDF PDF)
Happy Holidays from Northwest Core 2009
Dec 17, 2009
Kick back, open a bottle of Oregon wine, and unwind a bit from the crazy race of 2009.
Here's to making 2010 great, from a smooth start to a powerful finish!
Visiting REX HILL in the fall
Nov 6, 2009
We're happy to help set up a tour of our wineries for you when you want to come see Oregon! This great picture was taken at REX HILL this November when Deborah Green from Vin Sauvage in NV visited with her boyfriend, Steve Taylor.
Just contact the office at (503) 639-6446 if you want any help planning your next Northwest vacation!
Winemaker Earl Jones receives the distinguished ORVI award
Mar 9, 2009
At this year’s 25th anniversary Classic Wines Auction Earl Jones of Abacela Winery in Roseburg, Oregon was presented the Oregon Vintner of the year award, known as the ORVI. This award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated significant achievements in building the Oregon wine industry and establishing its worldwide reputation.
The ORVI was introduced by the CWA in 2002 and past recipients of the award include: Bethel Heights (2008), Susan Sokol Blosser (2007), David Adelsheim (2006), Ken Wright(2005), Dick and Nancy Ponzi (2004), Dick Erath (2003), David Lett (2002).
“I was extremely pleased to receive the 2009 ORVI and deeply honored for my name to be included in the same sentence with the names of the previous ORVI recipients,” said Earl Jones, Principal and general manager of Abacela Vineyards and Winery.
Download the PDF (39.6 KB PDF PDF)
Rob Alstrin heads panel discussion at the OR Wine Industry Symposium, Feb 2009
Feb 23-25, 2009
For the fourth year in a row great minds have collected in Eugene, OR, for focused seminars on growing better grapes, making better wines and finding better, more inventive ways of marketing Oregon wines.
Some highlights from the event included a recognition dinner honoring Terry Casteel from Bethel Heights Vineyard, as well as Bill Hatcher as keynote speaker for the opening dinner.
Our own Rob Alstrin led the panel for Optimizing Distributor Effectiveness for Small Wineries, and we were lucky enough to have a group of some of our great distribution partners out here: Rick Lopus from Great Lakes Wines & Spirits (MI), Don Woodall from Vin Sauvage (NV), Carl Thelander from Ruby Wines (MA), Troy Edwards from Grand Vin (CO) and a local favorite, Eugenia Keegan from The Henry Wine Group of Oregon.
Happy Holidays from Northwest Core 2008
Dec 19, 2008
Northwest Core Donates to The Climate Trust
Dec 17, 2007
Visit The Climate Trust
for more information on how you can offset your carbon footprint
As you know, our focus is entirely on great wines from the Pacific Northwest. Many of our partner wineries farm sustainably, organically or biodynamically, and we all try to do our share in minimizing our impact on the environment.
In lieu of sending out excess paper this year, we have opted for a greener option with an e-card. To help offset the carbon footprint of wine (and sales manager) transportation to your market we have also made a donation to The Climate Trust. The carbon offsets purchased with this donation help balance the effects of the trucks, planes and cars we all rely on for daily business.
To our distribution channel partners this year, we thank you, and we wish you and your loved ones happy holidays!
For more information about carbon off-setting and The Climate Trust check out: www.climatetrust.org
Northwest Core & Wineries Celebrate 2007
Dec 12, 2007
NORTHWEST CORE & COLLECTION WINERIES CELEBRATE A GREAT 2007.
The annual NW Core holiday gathering was one to remember again this year. . . Not only is the collection filled with great winemakers who represent a core selection of quality Oregon and Washington wines, but a great group of people, too! We do our best to get them all in one room a couple times each year to enjoy good food, good wine and celebrate the success of another year of collaboration in getting the northwest message out to the trade across the country.
This year we gathered at Aquariva at the Avalon Hotel. It was a great place for a party and was topped off by the Portland Christmas Ships Boat Parade. A few key players were missing this year, including four Casteels and Laurent and Danielle of Soléna --- All were out of the country enjoying a post harvest break. (Being out of the country is the only way we take no for an answer for our holiday party . . . )
Wishing all of our distribution and trade partners all the best in 2008. Thanks for helping us have a great 2007.
NW Core Collection welcomes veteran partner
Jun 6, 2007
NORTHWEST CORE COLLECTION WELCOMES AN OREGON WINE INDUSTRY VETERAN AS THEIR NEW PARTNER.
Craig Eastman joins Rob and Sheryl Alstrin in their third year of making wine from the Pacific Northwest move through the distribution channel.
Portland, OR.- June 6, 2007-- Northwest Core Collection, Inc. (NWCC), a national sales and marketing company specializing in Oregon and Washington wineries, announced today that Craig Eastman has joined the company as an equity and operating partner.
In his new role, Eastman will be involved in the brand management of the current portfolio wineries as well as new brand acquisitions. In addition, he will head-up the compliance and consulting services departments. The timing was perfect to launch NWCC over two years ago and the growth has been spectacular. “We are so happy to have a great friend and talented, established member of the Oregon wine industry as a partner in our business. Eastman’s broad experience in wine marketing and the distribution network is a great addition to ensure we continue to ‘make wine move’”, says Rob Alstrin, NWCC co-founder.
Eastman joins NWCC after a twelve year tenure as Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Argyle Winery in Dundee, OR. During that time the winery grew from 20,000 cases to 45,000 and positioned itself as one of Oregon’s finest producers. Eastman is a 26 year veteran of the wine industry, the last 17 years being spent in Oregon. His extensive knowledge of marketing wines and the Pacific Northwest region makes him a natural fit for this company.
About Northwest Core Collection
Northwest Core Collection services the business needs of family-owned Northwest wineries. The company was founded in early 2005 by Rob and Sheryl Alstrin. Northwest Core Collection specializes in setting up and managing its portfolio wineries’ national distribution network. The company also offers a suite of services on an ‘a la carte’ basis that includes consulting and compliance services.
NWCC is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with regional offices in New York, Boston, Houston, Seattle, and Chicago.
The Northwest Core Collection portfolio of wines includes: A to Z Wineworks, Bergström Winery, Bethel Heights Vineyard, Francis Tannahill Wine Company, Hatcher Wineworks, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars, Rex Hill Winery, Seven Hills Winery and Soléna Cellars.
Download the PDF (72.6 KB PDF PDF)
Harvey Steiman's Recommended Wines From Oregon
Jan 15, 2007
Harvey Steiman reviews:
Bergström's Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Shea Vineyard 2004
Bergström's Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Bergström Vineyard 2004
Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Casteel Reserve 2004
Penner-Ash Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Shea Vineyard 2004
A to Z Wineworks Chardonnay Oregon 2005
A to Z Wineworks Pinot Gris Oregon 2005
Download the PDF (1.23 MB PDF PDF)
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