Acrobat Pinot Gris

Acrobat Pinot Gris is a 100% Pinot Gris white wine from Oregon, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by King Estate Winery, one of the largest Pinot Gris producers in the United States, this bottling earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast for its 2021 vintage and was named the magazine's #1 Top 100 Best Buy in 2016 — a distinction that cemented the Acrobat line as a benchmark for value-driven Oregon Pinot Gris.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Oregon, USA (Willamette Valley, Umpqua Valley, Rogue Valley)  |  NV/Current Vintage  |  Distillery: King Estate Winery

Production & Heritage

King Estate Winery, founded in 1991 near Eugene, Oregon, is one of the country's largest dedicated Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir producers. Acrobat is King Estate's widely distributed label, sourcing fruit from vineyards across the Willamette Valley, Umpqua Valley, and Rogue Valley to achieve a consistent multi-regional Oregon character. The grapes are fermented entirely in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures to preserve bright acidity and varietal purity. Recent vintages have incorporated pressing within minutes of harvest to minimize skin contact, followed by three months of sur lie aging — a technique that adds roundness and textural depth without sacrificing the wine's signature crispness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rose petal and Asian pear greet the nose first, followed by ripe cantaloupe and a thread of citrus zest. A subtle grassy note and hints of guava add complexity beneath the primary fruit.

Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-forward, with fresh lime and green apple giving way to honeydew melon and passion fruit at mid-palate. Fuji apple and pear flavors build through the center, supported by restrained acidity and a medium-bodied, slightly creamy texture from the sur lie contact.

Finish: Crisp and palate-cleansing, with lingering notes of kiwi and golden delicious apple. The finish is moderate in length, staying fresh and clean without turning tart.

How to Drink Acrobat Pinot Gris

Serve well chilled, between 45–50°F, to highlight the wine's aromatic intensity and balanced acidity. A stemmed white wine glass with a slightly tapered rim concentrates the floral and fruit aromas effectively.

• Spritz: Top a pour with sparkling water and a grapefruit twist — the wine's citrus backbone holds up beautifully against the dilution.
• White Wine Sangria: The melon and pear notes pair naturally with sliced stone fruit and fresh herbs like basil or mint.
• Hugo Cocktail: Substitute Acrobat Pinot Gris for the traditional Prosecco base alongside elderflower liqueur and fresh mint for a lower-ABV patio drink.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where a versatile, food-friendly white is needed without deliberation
• Introducing someone to Oregon wine beyond Pinot Noir
• Outdoor entertaining and warm-weather gatherings where crisp acidity is essential
• Building a case of reliable, crowd-pleasing wines for a party or event

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Acrobat Pinot Gris taste like? Acrobat Pinot Gris is bright and fruit-forward, dominated by fresh lime, green apple, honeydew melon, and pear, with a crisp, palate-cleansing finish. Three months of sur lie aging adds a subtle creamy roundness without masking the wine's clean, stainless-steel character.

How does Acrobat Pinot Gris compare to King Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Gris? Both wines come from King Estate, but Acrobat sources fruit from three Oregon valleys (Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue) rather than a single appellation, resulting in a broader, more fruit-driven profile at a lower price point. The King Estate Willamette Valley bottling typically shows more focused minerality and slightly higher complexity, reflecting its single-region sourcing.

Is Acrobat Pinot Gris good for everyday drinking? Absolutely — it positions squarely in the value tier and has been recognized by Wine Enthusiast as a Top 100 Best Buy, making it one of the strongest everyday Oregon whites available. Its balanced acidity and moderate 13.5% ABV keep it refreshing glass after glass.

Where is Acrobat Pinot Gris made? Acrobat Pinot Gris is produced by King Estate Winery, located near Eugene in southern Willamette Valley, Oregon. The fruit is sourced from vineyards across Oregon's Willamette Valley, Umpqua Valley, and Rogue Valley.

What foods pair well with Acrobat Pinot Gris? Grilled shrimp or prawns complement the wine's citrus notes; mild Thai green curry mirrors its melon and tropical fruit character; goat cheese salads echo the bright acidity; seared halibut or other flaky white fish let the wine's pear and apple flavors shine; and charcuterie boards with prosciutto and fresh fruit play off its fruit-forward palate.

What sizes does Acrobat Pinot Gris come in? Acrobat Pinot Gris is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Acrobat Pinot Gris worth the price? Acrobat Pinot Gris positions as a value-tier Oregon white, and its consistent critical scores — including a 91-point rating from Wine Enthusiast and multiple 89–90-point reviews — make it one of the strongest performers in its price bracket. For an everyday Pinot Gris with genuine regional character, it delivers well above its weight class.

Why Acrobat Pinot Gris?

Few Oregon Pinot Gris bottlings at this price point carry the critical track record Acrobat does — a #1 ranking on Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Buys list and consistent scores of 89 to 91 points across multiple vintages. King Estate's scale allows them to source from three distinct Oregon wine regions, blending for a style that balances the Willamette Valley's crisp acidity with the riper fruit of the southern valleys. The 100% stainless-steel fermentation and brief sur lie aging strike a deliberate balance between purity and texture. In a category crowded with anonymous supermarket whites, Acrobat stands on a verifiable production pedigree and year-over-year consistency that most competitors at this tier simply cannot match.