Today’s Guest winemaker is the fascinating Erich Berg of Ricochet.
Featured in the Oregonian, wine columnist Michael Alberti: Erich Berg moved to Oregon from Chicago in 2004 to learn how to make pinot noir at Domaine Serene in Dayton. The next 13 years found Berg constantly battling hip ailments and stress-related burnout as he went through a series of winemaking gigs and high school teaching jobs.
In 2018 Berg began working as an assistant winemaker at Day Wines in Dundee. With encouragement from owner Brianne Day, Berg soon began making his own wines. Given his pinball-like career path, Berg selected the name Ricochet for his label.
Berg’s first pinot noir is made with grapes grown at Keeler Estate Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills. Aromas of blackcap raspberries, thyme and lemon peel fill the nose while dark cherry, bittersweet dark chocolate and pipe tobacco flavors coat the palate. There’s a nice bit of acidity here and the tannins will rough up the roof of your mouth.
Inspired by a six-month stint teaching at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center, Berg contributes 5% of his profits to Remnant Initiatives in Newberg. The organization works to help former convicts find housing and jobs.