K&L Domestic Wine Buying Guide: Oregon Brilliance, Inspired Selections

The endless diversity and discovery of domestic wine are on full display in today’s buying guide. Leading the way is the vintage that almost wasn’t but has become one of our absolute favorites: 2022 in Oregon. We’ve also consulted our domestic wine experts in each store to share their favorite picks. Next, we highlight STiRM, showcasing stunning expressions of a minimalist approach at remarkable prices. We’re also ready to take non-alcoholic wines seriously, as evidenced by the offerings from Kally. Rounding out the guide is a review of our most exciting Insider's Advantage opportunities, featuring some of the fine wine market's best deals in the domestic category.

• Oregon's Brilliant 2022 Vintage
• Current Faves from Our Domestic Wine Team
• Minimal Intervention, Maximum Value
• Getting Serious About Non-Alcoholic Wines
• Unmatched Value from K&Ls Insider Finds

The wines from the 2022 season are fantastic across the board. Their fruit profiles are pure, expressive, rich, and vibrant, with plenty of freshness and definition. These wines are easy to love—supremely accessible, flavorful, and energetic. We're thrilled to offer such an impressive array of 2022 wines in stock right now. Below is a list of some of the very best wines from this vintage, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful bounty of the season that almost wasn’t! Click here to read more about this rollercoaster vintage and its brilliant wines.

Nothing we do at K&L happens without our amazing team. As much as our talented buyers shape the stories we tell at K&L about our wines and spirits, it is our team members that make them come to life, sharing their enthusiasm and genuine excitement about the hundreds of products on our shelves. Click here to read more about hand-picked favorites from Scott Beckerley (SF), Alexandre Tweedie (RC), and Carlo Delgado (CC).

Scott Bekerley (San Francisco)

On Wednesday, September 10th, I had the opportunity to taste a couple of dozen newly released wines with Ryan Woodhouse, our Domestic Buyer here at K&L. I’ve always appreciated his palate and taste in wine because it is eclectic; he tends to favor the unusual and champions releases from small family wineries. Here are three of my favorites from that day, including a pure and extremely tasty Rhône blend, a small-production Cabernet, and a simply stunning dessert wine from Arbe Garbe.

Alexandre Tweedie (Redwood City)

Dan Petroski's releases are wines of pure and unrestrained freshness—Italian tradition infused with California sunshine. Bright, zippy notes of white flower blossom and blood orange greet the nose, while the palate reveals delicate yet deeply fruited flavors of ginger-zested peach skins and passion fruit, complemented by splashes of salted pomelo. When the right secrets and the proper grapes come together, truly singular wines begin to take shape—that’s the inimitable story of Massican.

Carlo Delgado (Culver City)

During my recent visit to Oregon Pinot Camp, I discovered how distinctive and underappreciated the wines of Oregon truly are. I’ve selected three outstanding value-driven Pinot Noirs, each hailing from a particular sub-appellation in the Willamette Valley. Leading the way is one of the best values I've seen in Pinot Noir in Norris' Ribbon Ridge Pinot. Next is a McMinnville gem from Project M. And last is one of my favorites from Willamette—Arterberry Maresh.

Wines that offer great value are a key focus for me when making buying decisions at K&L. While some folks’ definition of value may differ from ours, not all great wines can necessarily be inexpensive. However, there’s something so satisfying about finding a wine that is simply delicious at a great price. Even better (at least in our opinion) is when that delightful wine comes from a small artisanal producer who handcrafts wines from interesting vineyards in a non-interventionist style, showcasing a strong sense of place and authentic purity. This is exactly what we find in the wines of Ryan Stirm. Click here to read more about the wines and a recent visit with our team.

The non-alcoholic category continues to grow across the industry as people seek alternatives to traditional wines. Although these products represent only a small fraction of what we do here at K&L, we believe it’s important to offer a well-curated selection, just like any other category we carry. Whether for medical or health reasons, religious observances, or simply to provide a fun option for the designated driver, we’re always looking for something that fills this niche while meeting the quality standards we demand for all the wines on our shelves or website. This is what we found in Kally—click here to read more.

It’s a great time to score a deal in the wine business. With an oversupply resulting from several back-to-back, high-quality vintages, many wineries are motivated to sell previous vintage bottlings to make way for the new 2023 and 2024 wines coming down the pipeline. We work tirelessly with our long-standing partners in the industry to find the very best deals and bring them directly to you! Our special Insider's Advantage mailing list is packed with incredible offers, often at prices too low to display online. Here are a few deeply discounted wines we have in stock, many at over 50% off! Don’t delay—these offers are typically one-offs and sell out quickly.