Hiyu Wine Farm Smockshop Band 'Spring Ephemeral' White Zinfandel, Hood River County, USA

A singular expression of Pinot Gris transformed by time, terroir, and touch, the 2022 Hiyu Wine Farm Smockshop Band's Spring Ephemeral' White Zinfandel offers a mesmerizing glimpse into the regenerative magic of Underwood Mountain. Sourced from two high-elevation parcels on a farm that borders wildness, this wine is a study in contrast: mineral tension meets wild floral exuberance, Burgundian seriousness is tempered by Alsatian spice, and northern Italian rusticity. It’s not just wine, it’s a conversation between worlds. 

Product Details:

• Winemaker: Nate Ready
• Owner: China Tresemer
• Varietal: Pinot Gris
• Alcohol: 13% ABV 
• Farming: Regenerative, Biodynamic principles
• Fermentation & Aging: Four days skin contact in conical wooden vats; basket-pressed to neutral oak barrels for spontaneous fermentation

Sensory Description:

Visually pastel and copper-toned, the wine presents a symphony of shifting aromatics and textural intrigue. On the nose, it drifts between flinty marzipan and stone orchard fruit, punctuated by floral spice and a touch of smoke. The palate is simultaneously tense and plush: notes of candied citrus peel, crushed herbs, and spiced peach unfurl slowly, balanced by phenolic grip and a quietly mineral backbone. It oscillates from the restraint of White Burgundy to the unbridled wildness of Friuli, pausing along the way to echo the exoticism of Alsace.

Winemaker's Background:

Hiyu Wine Farm is a radical, polycultural estate in the Columbia Gorge, led by former Master Sommelier Nate Ready and artist-farmer China Tresemer. Their vision transcends viticulture: animals, flowers, fungi, and fruit trees all intertwine in a holistic, self-sustaining ecosystem. In both vineyard and cellar, their goal is not control but collaboration, with nature, with time, and with unseen forces. Wines here are fermented spontaneously, never fined or filtered, and aged with a patience that matches the rhythm of the land.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve chilled between 10–12°C. This wine pairs beautifully with saffron-spiced shellfish, charred leeks and burrata, or pork chops with apricot glaze. Its nuanced layers also shine alongside umami-rich vegetarian dishes, think miso-glazed root vegetables or mushroom risotto.

This is a wine that defies category yet demands attention. Through a dynamic interplay of place, variety, and philosophy, it invites drinkers to reconsider what Pinot Gris and white wine can be. It’s an ephemeral expression with a lasting impact.