Winery to Watch: Open Soul Wines

Jordan Hostetter has an impressive wine resume: He graduated from the Walla Walla Community College Institute for Enology and Viticulture and started his winemaking career at Tamarack Cellars. From there, he earned 10 years of experience at a number of top-tier wineries including Doubleback, Abeja, and XOBC Cellars.

Now, he’s ventured into his own exciting new label, Open Soul Wines. Using grapes exclusively from Oregon vineyards, he’s crafting some gorgeous wines that are turning heads and worth searching out.

Still in the micro-boutique stage, Open Soul has released a few wines in only the 100 case +/- range. But there are more releases on the way, and Hostetter’s deft touch (along with winemaker Kate Payne Brown) speaks volumes as to the quality of wines that wine enthusiasts can anticipate in the months ahead.

Here are some tasting notes on a couple of current releases:

2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir – Fermented in 100% neutral French oak, this lovely wine displays strawberry and watermelon flavors with a whisper of anise. While there’s plenty of crisp acidity on the finish, you can’t help but note the length it also carries on the palate. Couple this with the wine’s gorgeous fruit – without the residual sugar – and you have a perfectly balanced Rosé.

2023 Pinot Noir – Hostetter used a combination of carbonic maceration, new French oak and neutral French oak in crafting this gem of a Pinot Noir. Black cherry, leather, and slightly umami/earthy tones linger on the palate with a hint of minerality, while silky tannins on the finish add to an overall air of elegance. Hostetter recommends coq au vin as a food-pairing partner, and grilled salmon also comes to mind as a top choice.