Bow & Arrow 'Air Guitar' Red Blend, Willamette Valley, Oregon

The 2021 Bow & Arrow Air Guitar from Willamette Valley, USA, playfully nods to French winemaking traditions while standing proudly on Oregon soil. Crafted with minimalist techniques and a love for Loire Valley sensibilities, this wine is anything but a gimmick, it's a soulful, patient expression of Willamette’s potential for complexity, depth, and intrigue. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from Borgo Pass and Cabernet Franc from Johan Vineyard, it defies expectations and rewards those willing to listen closely.

Product Details:

• Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
• Farming: Practicing organic
• Winemaking: Minimal intervention; aged 10–12 months in puncheon
• Vegan: Certified
• Winemaker 7 Owner: Scott Frank

Sensory Description:

Air Guitar opens with layered aromatics of wild blackberry, blackcurrant, and smoky tobacco, underscored by a savory earthiness that adds immediate gravitas. On the palate, it’s bold but finely structured, weaving dried herbs, crushed violets, and flinty minerality into a long, contemplative finish. This is not your typical West Coast red; it’s brooding yet precise, plush yet lifted, a wine that grows deeper with air and age.

Winemaker's Background:

Founded in 2010 by Scott Frank, Bow & Arrow celebrates a different Willamette Valley, one shaped by clay soils, humble labor, and an affinity for the honest wines of France’s Loire Valley. Frank, who trained under John Paul of Cameron Winery, has consistently bucked the region’s reputation as a Pinot-dominated area. Instead, he crafts wines that are vibrant, approachable, and rooted in a working-class ethos. From his urban cellar in Northeast Portland, Frank collaborates with farmers who share his commitment to alternative varietals and organic practices, proving that the road less traveled yields some of the most rewarding wines.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve the 2021 Bow & Arrow Air Guitar slightly cool, around 15–16°C (59–61°F), to highlight its vibrant acidity and earthy nuances. Pair it with grilled root vegetables, smoky eggplant, or mushroom-laden risottos for a meal that plays in harmony with the wine’s structured complexity. Its light tannins and savory notes also make it a wonderful companion to rustic lentil dishes or herb-roasted poultry.

The 2021 Bow & Arrow Air Guitar is a testament to the soulful side of the Willamette Valley, an unconventional red that sings with authenticity and character. More than a bottle, it’s a conversation about place, style, and the art of doing things a little differently.