Explore Oregon Wines: Wineries | Varietals | AVAs | Cellar 503 Selections
Björnson Vineyard 2023 Gouais Blanc
One of a Kind
Talking with fellow students, Pattie asked “What are your goals?” While most students had big Fortune 500 plans, Mark replied, “Long-term, live in the country, plant an orchard, have a big family.” Pattie’s response, “Look me up when you want to get married!”
When their first child was born, they took a family trip to Europe and toured the hills on a tandem bike, always staying at wineries. On a visit to Oregon, it was a pear tree in full bloom that made Pattie and Mark Björnson fall in love with the Pacific Northwest. It was just so “exotic” compared to the hard winters of Minnesota and North Dakota where they grew up.
Before long, the family goal became to build their careers toward moving to Oregon, buying land, and planting vines. By 2005, that dream came true and Mark and Pattie (now with four kids) found their spot in the Eola-Amity Hills.
Now, Mark is the self-taught farmer and all-around fix-it guy and Pattie is the winemaker, having been mentored by Cellar 503 favorite winemakers Jon Grochau and Drew Voit.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Björnson Vineyard, Salem, Oregon
2023 Gouais Blanc
Björnson is in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Our estate vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills is certified Salmon-Safe and sustainable by L.I.V.E. (Low Input Viticulture and Enology). Our Pamar Vineyard is in the Van Duzer Corridor, one of the newest AVA’s. Both properties are farmed sustainably and regeneratively, with solar panels, permanent cover crops, and preserved riparian areas. We make our wine with minimal handling, so that each bottle fully expresses our exceptional terroir.
The Grape, Gouais Blanc, is an ancient variety that is at the base of cool climate viticulture. It is the parent of at least 81 varieties including Aligoté, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, and Riesling. Gouais is a bit of lost history in your glass. There are only a few acres planted in the world and we have the first known commercial planting in the Western Hemisphere at our Pamar Vineyard.
The Wine showcases ‘Riesling’ level acidity with a complimentary oily texture bound together by a midpalate of minerality. A panoply of grapefruit rind, chamomile, Asian pear, candied ginger, and lemon tea waft aromatically with the swirl of a wine glass. It is complete with a mouthwatering finish, the perfect pairing for oysters or sharp cheeses.
The 2023 Vintage started with a nice, long, wet spring. The summer was beautiful for growing grapes with warm dry days, not too hot, cool nights, and ample wind through the Van Duzer Corridor. Harvest arrived right on time with our average pick date right around the 100 days after bloom marker that we always hope for. By the last week of September, the rains arrived, slowing harvest down. This gave some of our late-ripening grapes a longer hang time which allowed us to catch up in the cellar. At the end of a dynamic growing season, we found a beautiful and diverse array of wines in our cellar. This vintage resembles a historic Willamette vintage of the not-too-distant past: lower alcohols, more finesse and complexity. We thank our harvest team for the wines that we made with them.
A Cellar 503 selection in April 2025, We Are Family Van Duzer Corridor | Gouais Blanc
