Penner-Ash Viognier 2019

Penner-Ash Viognier 2019 is a 100% Viognier white wine from Oregon's Rogue Valley, bottled at 14.4% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This aromatic expression earned 91 points from both Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, reflecting the quality of Penner-Ash's distinctive split-fermentation approach.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.4%  |  Origin: Rogue Valley, Oregon  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Winery: Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

Production & Heritage

Penner-Ash Wine Cellars was founded in 2002 by Lynn Penner-Ash, one of Oregon's most respected winemakers, and is based in Newberg in the Willamette Valley. While the winery is best known for Pinot Noir, this Viognier draws its fruit from the warmer Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon, a region well-suited to the grape's need for heat and extended hang time. The 2019 vintage used a split fermentation—92% in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and acidity, with the remaining 8% fermented in a concrete egg to build texture and mouthfeel. That concrete-egg component separates it from the all-stainless approach common among most Oregon white wine producers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose explodes from the glass with orange blossom, jasmine, and ripe lychee. Layers of white peach, dried green herbs, and a thread of musk develop as the wine opens.

Taste: The entry is lush and slightly oily, with bold nectarine and white stone fruit flavors moving across the mid-palate. A dense mineral core emerges at the peak, balanced by bright acidity and notes of lime zest and Granny Smith apple. The texture is medium-bodied and silky, a direct result of that concrete-egg portion of the blend.

Finish: The finish is clean and crisp, with lifted floral fruit and a streak of pine resin that lingers. It carries an energetic, almost electric quality that keeps pulling you back to the glass.

How to Drink Penner-Ash Viognier

Serve chilled to around 50–55°F to let the aromatics bloom without muting the wine's textural weight. A light chill also preserves the bright acidity that keeps the palate lively. For cocktail-adjacent service, try it in a White Wine Spritz, where its floral intensity holds up against sparkling water and a citrus twist. It also works beautifully in a Viognier Sangria with stone fruit and fresh herbs, amplifying the wine's natural peach and lychee character. A French 75 variation using this wine in place of Champagne plays off its lush texture and aromatic lift.

Best For

• Summer dinner parties featuring grilled seafood or Mediterranean fare
• Gifting to a wine enthusiast exploring Oregon whites beyond Pinot Gris
• Pairing with Thai or Vietnamese cuisine where aromatic whites shine
• Building a comparative Viognier tasting alongside Condrieu and California examples

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Penner-Ash Viognier taste like? It delivers bold lychee, white peach, and nectarine flavors supported by a dense mineral core, finishing clean with lime zest and Granny Smith apple. The texture is silky and medium-bodied with a lush, slightly oily quality from partial concrete-egg fermentation.

How does Penner-Ash Viognier compare to Condrieu? Condrieu, the benchmark French Viognier from the Northern Rhône, tends toward richer, more honeyed profiles with higher price tags. Penner-Ash Viognier 2019 achieves comparable aromatic intensity but leans brighter and more mineral-driven thanks to Rogue Valley fruit and stainless-steel-dominant fermentation.

Is Penner-Ash Viognier good for sipping on its own? Absolutely—its layered aromatics, silky texture, and balanced acidity make it a rewarding stand-alone pour when served lightly chilled. The wine's complexity rewards attention without requiring food to feel complete.

Where is Penner-Ash Viognier made? Penner-Ash Wine Cellars is located in Newberg, Oregon, in the northern Willamette Valley. The Viognier grapes for this bottling are sourced from the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon, where warmer temperatures allow the variety to fully ripen.

What foods pair well with Penner-Ash Viognier? Seared scallops with a citrus beurre blanc complement the wine's stone fruit and acidity. Thai green curry matches its aromatic floral intensity. Roasted chicken with herbs echoes the dried herb notes on the nose. Aged Gruyère or Comté picks up the mineral thread, and apricot tarts mirror its ripe fruit character.

What sizes does Penner-Ash Viognier come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Penner-Ash Viognier worth the price? Penner-Ash Viognier 2019 positions in the mid-premium tier for domestic Viognier and delivers well above its weight class, as confirmed by dual 91-point scores from two major publications. Compared to Condrieu bottlings that often cost two to three times as much, it represents strong value for a Viognier of this aromatic intensity and textural complexity.

Why Penner-Ash Viognier?

The split-fermentation technique—92% stainless steel paired with 8% concrete egg—is not something most Oregon producers attempt with Viognier, and it gives this wine a textural dimension that pure stainless-steel versions lack. Dual 91-point scores from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator confirm the execution of the 2019 vintage. The Rogue Valley sourcing brings a warmth and ripeness to the fruit that cooler Willamette Valley sites simply cannot achieve with this variety. For anyone serious about American Viognier, this bottling from Penner-Ash stands as one of Oregon's most thoughtfully made expressions of the grape.