Iris Vineyards—nestled within the beautiful Willamette Valley—produces top-notch wines ideal for any occasion. During a recent visit to Wilmington to connect with the local distributor, winemaker Aaron Lieberman spoke with us about the vineyard, wine production and the Willamette Valley—Oregon’s Wine Country.
With a background in soil science, Lieberman has experience in every piece of the winemaking process. He spent nearly three years in Guatemala with the Peace Corps, teaching farmers how to improve crop yields. Upon returning to Oregon, he helped plant some of the Valley’s most notable vineyards.
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What makes the Willamette Valley so special? It’s part geography, part climate and, according to Lieberman, part culture. Wine can be a competitive industry, and many wineries work to conceal their industry secrets and keep their process a mystery to outsiders.
“We know the more we do to help each other, the better off we are,” he explains. Since the region is in competition with California and various parts of Europe, its members share a goal of ensuring high-quality wines are produced in the valley—whether from their own business or neighboring wineries. A spirit of camaraderie among the various vineyards and wineries elevates this region and the businesses within like Iris Vineyards.
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As part of the board of directors for the Willamette Valley Winery Association, Lieberman plays a direct role in cultivating this culture. He focuses on diversity and inclusion with the goal of creating a wine industry that mirrors the overall United States population.
“We’re not there yet,” he explains. But with experts dedicating their time and energy to the mission, steps are being made in the right direction.
At Iris Vineyards, Lieberman has used all of his skills in winemaking, grape cultivation and business to elevate Iris wines to the award-winning product the winery produces today.
“My goal is to keep [the wines] true to the place, true to the variety and food-friendly,” he says.
The Pinot Noir fits the bill, made with a blend of grapes from Iris Vineyards and sourced throughout the Willamette Valley. With black cherry, sweet orange peel and earthy aromas, it pairs well with a variety of foods like lamb, beef, pork or chicken. For white wine lovers, the 2021 Pinot Gris pairs with white fish, scallops and pad Thai with aromas of Asian pear and pineapple.
You can find both the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris at Total Wine in Claymont and stores and restaurants across the state.
691 Naamans Road, Claymont
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