It’s a new stock of Bethany Kimmel’s The Color Collector: an Oregon (and now, Washington) winemaker whose fresh but lacy Gamay has us looking forward to her tiny (read: coveted) releases every year.

This one includes ‘22 Willamette Gamay, a fresh batch of her fascinating NV vermouth, and her first Columbia Gorge bottling – we’re digging in.

If you want to dive deep into Bethany's work, you can read last year's profile in our Journal here; and check out our Instagram Live here.

NEW Cuvée (from the Gorge!)

Smack in the middle of three massive (and famous) active volcanoes – Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams – is a weathered, ancient volcano: Underwood Mountain. It’s the source for Bethany’s newest cuvée, her first from Columbia Gorge.

If you don’t already know: the Gorge is a special place. Steep, 1100+ ft elevation slopes tumble into the Columbia River, whipped by the wind and rain (40+ inches in winter alone – but the wind is so intense it vigorously air dries the vines). It’s a raw, force-of-nature intensity that vibrates through the wines that come from here.

Per Bethany: “She’s edgier than her Willamette sisters. A vivacious creature with a soft side.”

The tech speaks to her methodical, intentional-but-respectful ways of working: about half of the grapes are hand destemmed and laid into the fermenters between layers of whole clusters. No pumping – gravity (and a little pigeage) is allowed to do its work. Free run followed by gentle pressing, and aging for 14 months in neutral 500L French oak puncheons. There’s a minimal touch of sulfur for protection.

She's made another beautiful and thought-stirring Gamay.

2022 The Color Collector Gorge Gamay, Columbia Gorge AVA $37

Also in stock:

2022 The Color Collector Gamay, Willamette Valley $39
A perennial fave bottling, often a NV wine but done here with a blend of 2022 fruit. Supremely elegant, bright, full of fine-knit tannin and silky fruit.

2022 The Color Collector Bjornson Gamay, Willamette Valley $54
A small production, single vineyard bottling (just one 500L puncheon) from her Björnson vineyard. Truly crystalline Gamay, bright red fruit, sparkly acidity; a quintessential Willamette wine.

NV The Color Collector Vermouth 500ml Oregon $42
Born from 2020 fruit that was impacted by that summer's devastating wildfires, a fascinating (and delicious) sweet red vermouth that represents everything Bethany is doing: a base of 2020 Björnson Gamay is infused with fifteen botanicals, fortified with Pinot Noir brandy, and sweetened with honey from her bees.