Kelley Fox "Nerthus" NV (2025)

Kelley Fox is best known for Pinot Noir, but some of her most interesting wines fall outside the usual categories. She founded Kelley Fox Wines with her father in 2007, after working in the Willamette Valley cellars of The Eyrie Vineyards, Torii Mor, Hamacher, and Scott Paul. Her first vintage amounted to just over 100 cases, and although production has grown to around 5,500 cases annually, this remains a small, highly personal winery. Kelley has never been afraid to follow her instincts, and “Nerthus” is a perfect example of that approach.

After taking a break from the wine in 2024, Kelley brought “Nerthus” back in 2025 with an entirely new composition. It is made from 35% Pinot Blanc, 22% Early Muscat, 22% Grüner Veltliner, 20% Chardonnay, and 1% Oregon black raspberry wine. Despite its pale salmon color, this is not technically a rosé; the color comes entirely from the small addition of black raspberry wine, made by Kelley from fruit grown at a nearby fifth-generation farm. Kelley loves indigenous fruit wines and their flavors, and thought that it would add complexity to this wine. Each component was fermented separately and completed malolactic fermentation. The Early Muscat and Grüner Veltliner were aged in stainless steel, while the Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay were raised in neutral 228-liter Burgundy barrels. The addition of the 1% black raspberry wine came after everything was blended in tank. Just 557 cases were produced, and according to Kelley it has been one of her best selling wines this year!

“Nerthus” shows aromas of peach and black raspberry, underscored by a distinctly stony, oyster-shell minerality. It is juicy and mouthwatering, yet completely dry, with enough texture to make it more substantial than a typical summer rosé. Serve it well chilled as an aperitif or alongside grilled trout or a summer vegetable salad. Super delicious!