Est. 2001. Importer & Distributor of Fine Wine, Craft Spirits, and Ginjo Sake

Home | Producers | Ransom Wines & Spirits

Ransom Wines & Spirits
www.ransomspirits.com
Tad Seestedt, Artisan
Tad Seestedt, Artisan
Country of Origin: USA
Location: Sheridan
People: Tad Seestedt, Owner, Winemaker & Distiller
Supplier: http://www.localwineandspirits.com


Ransom Wines & Spirits, founded by Tad Seestedt in 1997, is an artisan winery and distillery located in McMinnville, Oregon. Tad sources fruit from organic, sustainable and biodynamic vineyards mostly in the Eola Hills AVA to produce small batches of site specific Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. His creative and thoughtful personality is occasionally indulged by making Port (fortified with Gewurztraminer Aquavitae), Botrytised Riesling and other wonderfully curiosities. The wines are hand crafted in a style that emphasizes acidity, purity, structure and length. The 'Selection' wines are vintage cuts of the best Pinot Noir barrels and Pinot Gris wines. The Vineyard Designate wines are where yield and quality meet.

What is the difference between the Temperance Hill, Cattrall and Selection Pinot Noirs? Temperance is darkest in fruit and deepest in tannins. Cattrall is wadensville clone dominant thus has the driest herbal components on the nose, lighter in color and tannins and more red fruit oriented. Least amount of new oak as well. Selection is an amazing combination of both styles, red and black fruit, softer body than temperance but just as smoky and vanilla concentration on the nose.

All distillates are either made from press wine (Aquavitae) or pumice (Grappa). Tad also makes Jigsaw Pinot Noir, a fantastic value Pinot that we describe as "more wine and less hype." This wonderful "Pinot for the People" with its cerebral punk style is the perfect choice for by the glass and wine shop stacks. Tad feels that it is the function of wine and food to enhance fellowship, discussion and the exchange of ideas.

"Tad Seestedt named his operation “Ransom Spirits” (begun in 1997) for the degree to which his idealistic and artisanal – some might, after tasting the results, exclaim “alchemical” – pursuit of distillates distinctly delicious and rigorously founded in historical research, rendered his financial security; the patience of supportive friends; and all of his waking hours hostage to the bank. Visit the farm south of Sheridan to which Seestedt moved three years ago if you want to taste the likes of authentic Old Tom Gin, Whipper Snapper Oregon Spirit Whiskey, or a stunning recreation (long in research and development but soon to be unveiled) of fin de siecle vermouth ... but, more to the point, also if you want to experience some of the best wine values I’ve tasted anywhere in America since I was introduced to them a half dozen years ago. Wine was part of Seestedt’s labors from the beginning, and fortunately for U.S. oenophiles, he’s now ramping back up a bit – developing new vineyard contacts and contracts – after a several year lull while his distillery grew. What’s more, he’s preparing to plant his own first vineyard, though the Ransom estate is too cool to grow Pinot and its initial vines are going to be the likes of Albarino. Hallmarks of Pinot vinification chez Ransom have long included ultra-gentle extraction and moderate alcohol, though in the latter regard 2010 and 2011 – in which Seestedt says he believes not one lot came in above 12.5% potential alcohol – must be counted as exceptional." - Wine Advocate 2012
Items
Ransom Wines & Spirits 2011 Pinot Gris, Cattrall Vineyard Net Price — —
Ransom Wines & Spirits 2011 Riesling, Brooks Vineyard Net Price — —
Ransom Wines & Spirits 2010 Cabernet Franc, Rogue Valley Net Price — —
Ransom Wines & Spirits 2010 Pinot Noir, Cattrall Vineyard Net Price — —
Ransom Wines & Spirits (375 ml) Grappa, Gewürztraminer Net Price — —
Ransom Wines & Spirits Old Tom Gin (88 proof) Net Price Reviews Downloads
Ransom Wines & Spirits Vermouth Net Price — —
Ransom Wines & Spirits Whipper Snapper Whiskey (84 proof) Net Price — Downloads
Reviews
Ransom Wines & Spirits Old Tom Gin (88 proof)
Rating: Best Spirits

Ransom Spirits joined forces with cocktail historian David Wondrich to develop Ransom Old Tom Gin, which approximates the sort that would have been behind bars pre-Prohibition. Barrel-aged and based on malted barley and corn, Ransom almost feels like a whiskey, so don't get stingy with the bitters. Try it in a Tuxedo cocktail: 1 part Ransom Old Tom, 1 part dry vermouth, 2 dashes Maraschino, 1 dash absinthe and 2 dashes orange bitters, stirred with a maraschino cherry and a lemon twist

- Wine & Spirits (10/15/2010)

Ransom Wines & Spirits Old Tom Gin (88 proof)
Rating: 95

From Oregon. Medium amber/orange color; aroma of mint, juniper and citrus peel; silky and spiced with notes of vanilla, orange and various spices; add toastiness and creamy texture; lovely and complex with depth and unique flavors.

- Beverage Testing Institute (5/1/2010)

Ransom Wines & Spirits Old Tom Gin (88 proof)
Rating: 93

Pale amber pink color. Aromas of sweet berry and citrus pastry, floral hops, honey and spice follow through on a soft,silky entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with wintermint, mango custard, dried lavender, and herbal juniper and sweet spices on the gentle polished finish. Very nice. International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal

- Beverage Testing Institute (6/11/2009)