Established in Oregon in 1998, Sokal Blosser`s goal is to make a wine that appears simple – easy drinking, relaxing – but is quite complex. Producing a proprietary blend like Evolution is a combination of art and science. People always joke around, asking whether they created this blend on purpose or if they just blended leftovers and it happened to work. That’s where they got the idea of “Luck vs. Intention” that is used on the label.

Oregon is one of the most exciting wine regions in the United States, renowned for its cool-climate wines and a strong focus on sustainability and artisanal production. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon’s wine industry has grown rapidly over the past few decades, with the Willamette Valley at its heart.

The state’s climate is largely influenced by the Pacific Ocean, with cooling breezes, coastal fog, and significant diurnal temperature variation. The Cascade Mountains to the east and the Coast Range to the west create sheltered valleys with diverse microclimates. These conditions are ideal for delicate, expressive wines with natural acidity and aromatic complexity.

The Willamette Valley is the most prominent wine-growing area, known globally for its world-class Pinot Noir. Sub-regions such as Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton, and Eola-Amity Hills each bring unique soil types and elevations that influence wine style. Beyond the Willamette, regions like the Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley in southern Oregon offer warmer conditions suitable for a broader range of varieties.

Pinot Noir is Oregon’s flagship grape, producing elegant, earthy wines with red berry and floral notes. Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling also thrive, while warmer southern sites support Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. Oregon’s wines are celebrated for their balance, purity, and sense of place.

Gewürztraminer is a distinctive and aromatic white grape variety, best known for its intensely perfumed character and exotic flavour profile. Thought to have originated in the Alto Adige region of northern Italy or possibly Germany, its name means "spiced Traminer," reflecting its aromatic nature and link to the ancient Traminer variety.

Viticulturally, Gewürztraminer is a challenging grape to grow. It buds early and ripens quickly, making it vulnerable to spring frost and overly warm climates. It prefers cool to moderate growing conditions where acidity can be preserved, which balances its naturally high sugar content and potential for richness.

The variety thrives in Alsace, France, where it produces powerful, dry to off-dry wines with high alcohol and intense aromas of lychee, rose petals, tropical fruit, ginger, and spice. It’s also grown in Germany, Austria, northern Italy, New Zealand, the USA (particularly Oregon and California), and cooler parts of Australia and Canada.

Gewürztraminer wines range from dry and aromatic to luscious late-harvest and botrytised styles. They are often full-bodied with low to moderate acidity, making them ideal for pairing with spicy Asian cuisine, rich cheeses, or pâté. Its unmistakable perfume and bold flavours make Gewürztraminer one of the most recognisable and unique white wine varieties in the world.

Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety, believed to have originated in France’s Burgundy region as a pale-skinned mutation of Pinot Noir. It shares genetic similarities with both Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, which explains its versatility and adaptability in the vineyard.

Viticulturally, Pinot Blanc is moderately vigorous and relatively early-ripening, performing best in cooler climates where it can retain acidity. It is sensitive to rot in damp conditions but generally resilient to cold, making it suitable for regions with short growing seasons.

Today, Pinot Blanc is planted across Europe and beyond. In France, it is important in Alsace, where it produces still and sparkling wines (notably Crémant d’Alsace). In Italy, it is known as Pinot Bianco and widely grown in Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Germany and Austria cultivate it as Weissburgunder, while it also thrives in Luxembourg, Switzerland, and parts of Eastern Europe. In the New World, plantings exist in Canada, Oregon, California, and Australia.

Wine styles range from crisp, unoaked expressions with citrus, apple, and floral notes to richer, barrel-aged versions with hints of almond and brioche. At its best, Pinot Blanc offers a harmonious balance of freshness, subtle fruit, and gentle texture, often described as elegant and understated.

Pinot Gris is a white grape variety originating from France, where it is most famously grown in Alsace. It is a mutation of Pinot Noir and is also known internationally as Pinot Grigio in Italy, where it is typically made in a lighter, crisper style. Despite its name, the grape has a pinkish-grey skin, which can give wines a slightly golden hue.

Pinot Gris is now grown in many cool to moderate climate regions across the world, including New Zealand, Germany (as Grauburgunder), Oregon, Australia, and increasingly in the UK. The style varies widely depending on the region and winemaking approach - from dry and zesty to rich, off-dry or even late-harvest expressions.

Aromatically, Pinot Gris tends to show notes of pear, apple, peach, and citrus, with hints of honeysuckle, spice, and sometimes a touch of smoke or nuttiness. In Alsace, it can produce full-bodied wines with texture and ageing potential, while Italian Pinot Grigio is typically light and fresh.

Viticulturally, Pinot Gris is an early-ripening variety, but it can be sensitive to disease and rot due to its thin skins and compact bunches. It requires careful canopy management and monitoring to maintain acidity and avoid over-ripeness, particularly in warmer climates.

Riesling is one of the world’s most esteemed white grape varieties, originating in Germany’s Rhine region during the 15th century. Celebrated for its purity of expression, Riesling thrives in cool climates and is known for its remarkable balance of acidity, aromatic intensity, and ageing potential.

Viticulturally, Riesling is a hardy, late-budding vine well-suited to steep, well-drained slopes. It ripens slowly, allowing it to develop vibrant acidity and a complex flavour profile. The grape is highly expressive of terroir, producing distinctive wines based on soil type, climate, and winemaking style.

Germany remains Riesling’s spiritual home, particularly in regions like the Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz. It is also widely grown in Alsace (France), Austria (notably in the Wachau and Kamptal), Australia’s Clare and Eden Valleys, and the Finger Lakes and Washington State in the USA. In each of these regions, Riesling produces wines of great character and diversity.

Riesling styles range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, including sparkling and late-harvest versions. Classic flavours include green apple, lime, white peach, and jasmine, often with mineral or petrol-like notes as the wine ages. Its naturally high acidity makes it an excellent partner for a wide range of foods, including spicy cuisine and aromatic dishes.