Frequently Asked Questions:
When did Erin Glenn begin business?
What does your logo mean?
Who is Erin Glenn?
When did your tasting room open to the public?
What kind of grapes are grown in the Columbia Gorge?
What appellation are you a part of?
What is an appellation?
How many bottles of wine to do you produce each year?
How many gallons is that?
What types of wine do you make?
What kinds of oak barrels do you use?
Who is your winemaker?
What was the first wine you made?
What is your most popular wine?
Can I come for a tour?
What temperature is wine best served at?
Where should I store my wine?
What are sulfites and why is everyone making a big deal about them?
Do you ship wine to my state?
Do you have a wine club?
What kind of events do you host?
When did Erin Glenn begin business?
Our first planting was in the Spring of 2002 and we bottled our first vintages the following year. On St. Patrick’s Day 2005 we held our grand opening for the Erin Glenn tasting room at The Mint in downtown The Dalles, Oregon.
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What does your logo mean?
Our logo represents our Irish heritage with the larger celtic knot at the top and our four daughters with the smaller knots in the body – Celtic Madonna
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Who is Erin Glenn?
Yes, my name is Erin and no, he’s not Glenn – Erin is Gaelic for Ireland and glenn is a secret valley, obscure
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When did your tasting room open to the public?
St. Patrick’s Day 2006
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What kind of grapes are grown in the Columbia Gorge?
We are blessed with a wide range of grapes here in the Gorge, everything from the classics: Chardonnay, Riesling, , Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon to lesser known varietals like Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Tempranillo, Dolcetto, Syrah and Barbera.
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What appellation are you a part of?
Our Estate vineyards are located in the Columbia Gorge Appellation and our winery is in the Columbia Valley Appellation – which means we get the best of both worlds!
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What is an appellation?
In America, an appellation is a geographical-based term used to identify where grapes for wine are grown. In some countries an appellation has rules that govern what type of grapes are grown there, how they are bottled and how the wines are named. Here the rules basically say that to have the name of an appellation on your wine bottle at least 85% of the grapes for that wine must be from the specified appellation.
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How many bottles of wine to do you produce each year?
We currently are producing about 3,000 cases which equals 36,000 bottles.
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How many gallons is that?
About 7,000.
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What types of wine do you make?
Many different varietals – Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Chardonnay, Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Dolcetto, Malbec, Tempranillo, Barbera and some red blends.
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What kinds of oak barrels do you use?
We use a combination of French, Hungarian and American oak.
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Who is your winemaker?
Tim Schechtel
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What was the first wine you made?
Gewürztraminer
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What is your most popular wine?
Our Tantrum Red, a unique blend Pinot Noir, Merlot & Barbera.
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Can I come for a tour?
Yes, you are welcome to come take a tour of our winery. We can accommodate large groups and busloads so bring your friends to The Dalles, Oregon!
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What temperature is wine best served at?
Chilling white wines is the most popular form of serving them although it enhances the fruitiness but over chilling can cover up much of its flavor allowing the oak and richness to only be noticed. Riesling and Pinot Gris can be more chilled (say to 45-50 degrees F or just above refrigerator temperature) than Chardonnays (say 50-55 degrees F 2 hours in the refrigerator). Prolonged chilling can permanently change the wine store white wines at cellar temp with your red wines (60-65 degrees F), and then put in the refrigerator the day you will serve it.
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Where should I store my wine?
The best place to store your wine, besides in a temperature controlled cellar or wine fridge, is somewhere dark and fairly damp with little or no vibrations or smells to disturb the wine. If you don’t have a wine fridge or cellar, store your wines on their side (horizontally) in a basement closet or corner in an insulated garage where little traffic will affect them. For the best possible preservation of your wines: keep them out of the sun, on their side and in the dark away from vibration and constant movement.
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What are sulfites and why is everyone making a big deal about them?
We’re glad you asked because the truth is not what most people say it is!
Sulfite is a word used to describe the various forms of sulphurous acid, such as sulphur dioxide. Since ancient times sulfites have been used in winemaking and they are still used today to kill bacteria and encourage clean fermentation of wine grapes and also to clean wine barrels and tanks. Sulfites are a natural by-product of yeast fermentation and because of that they are a natural by-product of the wine fermentation process.
Now, many people blame their inability to drink some red wines on sulfites and have villanized this small part of the wine making process. The truth is that sulfites don’t cause headaches. Not even scientists know what does cause the headaches but have proved that it is not the sulfites – which by the way is also produced naturally every day by our bodies! If you get headaches from drinking red wine try drinking a glass of water before and after, and don’t drink so much. Some customers even tell us that taking an antihistamine before going having a glass nips that negative reaction right in the bud!
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Do you ship wine to my state?
Wine shipping laws are changing all the time. Check out our “Buy Wines” page (link) for information on your individual state.
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Do you have a wine club?
Yes, Byron’s Band!!! Go to our Wine Club page (link) for a list of benefits and a sign up form! Start enjoying the privilege of Byron’s Band today!
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What kind of events do you host?
We host all types of events at The Mint (link) including intimate jam sessions in our tasting room, full-blown concerts in our production area / concert hall, private diners in the cellar and birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions and office holiday parties. Look at our Events page (link) for more details and photos!
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