FAQs
About Ocelli Cellars
What does "Ocelli" mean and how do you pronounce it?
Ocelli, pronounced “ah-sell-eye” is a Latin term for spots that look like eyes but aren’t. Think of butterfly wings and the tail feathers of a peacock.
Who makes the wine at Ocelli Cellars?
John Peacock is the winemaker and co-owner of Ocelli Cellars, with his wife Sirpa Peacock.
How long have you been making wine?
Our first vintage was 2012, and John took over winemaking with the 2019 vintage.
What makes Ocelli Cellars different from other Oregon wineries?
Ocelli Cellars is the only winery in the Pacific Northwest exclusively dedicated to Grenache wines. Unlike most Willamette Valley wineries, we produce no Pinot Noir or Chardonnay — only Grenache in red, rosé, and white styles.
Why do you only make Grenache?
Grenache is John’s favorite variety because it is naturally fruit forward and makes a wine that is not super tannic. We have found the versatility of Grenache lends to a wide range of styles of wine, and we have been able to build out a full portfolio of wines just using Grenache. It also shows its sense of place well, and we find that different vineyards each have their own flavor profile. For wine lovers looking for something different from Willamette Valley's signature Pinot Noir, Grenache offers a compelling and versatile alternative.
Where do you source your grapes?
Our Grenache for our red and rosé wines come from Eastern Washington, and our Grenache Blanc fruit comes from Southern Oregon. We make our wines at our winery in Newberg, Oregon.
About Grenache
What does Grenache taste like?
Grenache is a fruit-forward red wine with elegant, juicy flavors — think fresh cherry, raspberry, and red plum — rather than the jammy or stewed character you might find in over-ripe reds. It's light to medium in tannin and very approachable.
How is Grenache different from Pinot Noir?
Where Pinot Noir can sometimes be earthy and savory, Grenache has a tendency to be more fruit-forward and a bit richer with more weight on the palate.
What food pairs well with Grenache?
Grenache is one of the most food-friendly red wines. Our Grenache reds pair well with roast chicken, pork tenderloin, tomato-based pasta, and burgers. Our Grenache Blanc pairs with seafood like oysters, calamari, and seafood alfredo. Our Grenache Rosé pairs perfectly with an afternoon on the patio with friends.
Is Grenache a red or white wine?
Both, and also pink! We currently make 1 rosé wine, two white wines, and three red wines each vintage, all made from Grenache.
Why isn't Grenache more popular in the Pacific Northwest?
Grenache is a challenging grape to grow and can be a bit temperamental in the winery. It needs a lot of heat in order to ripen in the vineyard, but wait too long to harvest and you’ll end up with a jammy and flabby wine. It is often blended with Syrah and Mourvedre to try and balance Grenache’s fruitiness with Syrah’s darker profile and Mourvedre’s structure. With our focus on Grenache, we are able to pick the fruit at the right time to maintain flavor and balance.
Can Grenache make a rosé?
Grenache might be the best variety for making rosé. Its natural red-fruit character and bright acidity produce a pink wine that's vibrant and food-friendly — not sweet, but not austere either.
Visiting & Tastings
Where is Ocelli Cellars located?
Our tasting room is located at 20005 NE Fairview Dr, Dundee, OR 97115 — just outside Dundee in the Willamette Valley wine country, across from Domaine Roy and Furioso.
What are your tasting room hours?
We are open Thursday - Sunday, 11am - 5pm.
Do I need a reservation for a tasting?
No, we welcome walk-in tastings during our open hours. If you would like a tasting Monday - Wednesday, we can accommodate that with a reservation.
What can I expect at a tasting at Ocelli Cellars?
We offer a flight of five wines, often including at least one white wine and our rosé. Our winemaker John is usually in the tasting room and will often lead you through the tasting. The tasting room has vineyard views of the Willamette Valley with outdoor seating available. Tastings are $25 per person, waived with a two bottle purchase.
Is Ocelli Cellars pet-friendly?
Yes, well behaved dogs on leash are welcomed.
Are you close to other Dundee wineries?
Yes — we are within walking distance of Domaine Roy, Furioso, and other nearby producers, and within a five-minute drive of 20 or more Dundee Hills wineries. We're a great stop on any Willamette Valley wine tasting itinerary.
Can I host a private event at Ocelli Cellars?
Yes, we can host private events at our Dundee tasting room both during and after regular open hours. Contact us at info@ocellicellars.com to inquire about availability and pricing.
Is Ocelli Cellars a good winery to visit in the Dundee Hills?
Absolutely. We're a boutique, small-production winery with an intimate tasting experience led by our winemaker. If you're exploring the Dundee Hills or Willamette Valley wine country, we offer a unique perspective as Oregon's only Grenache-exclusive winery.
Buying Wine
Can I buy Ocelli Cellars wine online?
Yes, all of our available wines are on our website, ocellicellars.com.
Do you ship wine to my state?
We ship Grenache wine directly to customers in 48 states. We are currently unable to ship to Utah or Michigan.
Where can I buy Ocelli Cellars wine locally?
If you are in the Portland area, you can find our wines at select New Seasons stores as well as a handful of wine bars and wine shops around town. In wine country, we are currently featured on the menu at both WoodenHeart and Trellis in Dundee.
What is the price range for your wines?
Our wines range in price from $20 for our Grenache Rosé to $55 for our single vineyard library wines.
Wine Club
What is the Ocelli Cellars wine club?
Ocelli Cellars' wine club is the best way to guarantee access to their limited production Grenache wines, with two shipments per year — one in the spring and one in the fall. Members choose between a One Case Club (15% off, 25% shipping discount) or a Two Case Club (25% off, 50% shipping discount)
How often do wine club members receive shipments?
Twice a year, in March and September.
What are the benefits of joining the wine club?
Club members receive discounts on wine purchases and shipping, complimentary tastings, ability to customize their club shipments, and first access to newly released wines.
Can I pause or cancel my wine club membership?
We ask that club members commit to a minimum of two shipments, and after that we are happy to pause or cancel your club membership.
Do wine club members get discounts on tastings?
Yes, club members at any level get complimentary tastings for up to 4 people per visit.
Winemaking
How is your Grenache made?
We treat all of the Grenache we get for red wines the same across the vineyards, with about 50% whole cluster fermentation and 20 months in neutral French oak barrels.
Do you use oak aging?
For all of our red wines and some of our white wines, yes we do. All neutral French oak barrels.
How many cases do you produce each year?
We currently produce 300-400 cases of wine per year.