Cana’s Feast Winery: Turning Water into Wine



By Kori ~ March 21st, 2011.

The folks at Cana’s Feast Winery do not literally turn water into wine; however, the wedding feast at Cana at which Jesus performed his first miracle and turned water into wine inspired the winery’s name. Founded by Gino Cuneo as Cuneo Cellars in 1993, the winery was renamed Cana’s Feast, which had been the name of their reserve line, in 2006. Winemaker Patrick Taylor joined Cana’s Feast in 2004 as the assistant to founder and original winemaker Gino Cuneo. Taylor took over all winemaking responsibilities in 2007. Located in Carlton, Oregon, Cana’s Feast sources their grapes from the Columbia Valley in Washington State and the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

We recently had the opportunity to taste several wines from Cana’s Feast Winery in a blind samples tasting, the 2009 Counoise, the 2007 Primitivo, and the 2008 Cabernet Franc. The fruit for these three wines was sourced from vineyards in Washington State. I found the Counoise to be particularly compelling. Not a variety that you run across every day here in the Pacific Northwest, Counoise is primarily grown in the Rhône Valley of France. Cana’s Feast specializes in Italian and Bordeaux varieties, hence the Primitivo and Cabernet Franc.

Cana’s Feast boasts a Tuscan-style winery near downtown Carlton and is one of the few Oregon wineries with an on-site restaurant. The Cucina features Mediterranean-inspired menus and offers views of the Coast Range and the winery’s bocce courts.

2009 Cana’s Feast Counoise (Coyote Canyon Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington): Medium ruby red in color. Nice nose with raspberry, strawberry, and cinnamon aromas. More red fruits, spice, and herbal notes come through on the palate. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity, soft tannins, and a long, smooth finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to Buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $25

2007 Cana’s Feast Primitivo (Columbia Valley, Washington): Medium-deep ruby red. Very aromatic with spice box and potpourri aromas that lead to candied red fruits and spice on the palate. Medium-bodied and lively with medium tannins and a medium to long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to Buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $25

2008 Cana’s Feast Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley, Washington): Deep, ruby red in color. Fresh red and black fruits as well as vegetal notes come through on both the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied with crisp acidity, medium, drying tannins, and a long finish.
Quality: 3 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 2 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to Buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $29


Filed under: American Wine, Cabernet Franc, Lesser Known Varietals, Oregon Wine, Red Wine, Washington State Wine, Wines Over $25, Wines Under $25

Reader's Comments

  1. Tamara Belgard | March 21st, 2011 at 9:19 am

    Thanks for the honest review Kori, we appreciate that you did your research. Our 2007 Primitivo has actually sold out and we just released our 2008 vintage this past weekend, great timing. Perhaps you can make a visit sometime to taste it and experience both our great wines and the Cucina for yourself first-hand!

  2. TheGourmetCoffeeGuy | March 21st, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    Great post as usual with a captivating headline. A post that promotes a visit to this winery. Thank you for sharing your wine expertise in such a well researched manner.

  3. Kori | March 22nd, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    Tamara,
    You are most welcome. Thanks for the update on the just released Primitivo. I look forward to visiting Cana’s Feast sometime. Keep up the good work!

    CoffeeGuy,
    Thanks for your kind words.

    Cheers!