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Hummingbird Estate Winery 2025 White Malbec
A Place Like No Other
While 2,200 miles separate Hummingbird Estate in Central Point, Oregon, from Hummingbird Farm in Neoga, Illinois, the two locations are connected through Ed and Susan Walk. After 40 years farming 1,000 acres in the American heartland, the Walks ventured west to try something new by buying the 47 acre vintage Oregon property that became Hummingbird Estate. The Walks transformed a stately 7,700 square foot residence into a charming inn, vineyard and tasting room, and wedding and event venue.
The Walks decided to grow grapes on the site of the former pear orchard and to create their own brand of wine. To turn their vision into reality, the couple hired Chris Hubert, a Southern Oregon vineyard management expert, who began the land preparation and planting process. The Hummingbird line of wine is being overseen by award-winning vintner Chris Graves.
For the Walks, there isn’t that much distance between the central Illinois farm and the Southern Oregon estate and vineyard. It’s just more to enjoy as they journey the 2,200 miles across America twice a year by car or train. No matter where you find them, working the grain and pork farm in Illinois or working their Southern Oregon vineyard, it’s always the same. The Walks hope their guests enjoy the goodness of the land in an unforgettable environment.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Hummingbird Estate Winery, Central Point, Oregon
2025 White Malbec
Aromas of strawberry and rhubarb with a hint of gravel. Tart ruby red grapefruit, rhubarb and cranberry unite with bubblegum, ginger and strawberry. Finished with mandarin and lemon.
Yes, you can absolutely make white wine using red grapes.
In the wine world, this is known as Blanc de Noirs, French for "white from blacks" - and this can refer to both still and sparkling wines. Because the juice inside almost all red wine grapes is clear, you can produce a white wine by pressing the grapes gently and removing the skins immediately so the juice takes on no red color.
Here is how it works:
The Juice is Clear: The red and purple pigments of a grape are located entirely in the skins, not the inner flesh or juice.
Remove the Skins: To make a white wine, winemakers crush the red grapes and extract the juice right away. By keeping the juice separated from the skins, the wine ferments pale, clear, and free of red color.
Famous Examples: This process is most famously used in Champagne, where red grapes like Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are used to make sparkling white wine.
Note: This is different from a rosé, where the skins are left in contact with the juice for a short period (hours instead of weeks) to extract a pale pink color.
A Cellar 503 selection in May 2026, Magnificent Malbec Rogue Valley | Malbec
