Some bottles just speak. This one does—loudly, joyfully, and with purpose. That was my impression when I first tasted it at Method Oregon this past July alongside the winemaker herself, Piper Underbrink.
The 2024 RAW R Sparkling Red Wine from Sealionne (produced and bottled by Privé Vineyard) is a vibrant, skin-contact méthode traditionnelle-inspired Pinot Noir sparkler from West Wind Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. One glance at the back label and you already know you’re in for something special: “Remember, All Women Rise.” Ten percent of every bottle sold supports women in science. In the hands of winemaker Piper Underbrink, that message feels entirely genuine.
The Winemaker & the Story
Piper Underbrink took the helm at Privé Vineyard in 2020, stepping into the legacy of founders Mark and Tina Hammond. Privé, nestled in the Chehalem Mountains just outside Newberg, is a tiny, old-school Oregon estate famous for elegant, site-driven Pinot Noir from some of the oldest vines in the AVA (planted in the early 1980s). Piper, who began her career with harvests at Flowers on the Sonoma Coast and Joseph Phelps in Napa before diving into UC Davis coursework, has honored that classic style while gently evolving it.
In 2021 she and her husband, architect Ben Stalker, purchased West Wind Vineyard—a 15-acre site of sedimentary soils on Ribbon Ridge originally planted by Cody and Marque Wright of Purple Hands. From that purchase, Sealionne Wines was born: a freer, brighter, more experimental expression of their own voices. The name nods to boat-building craftsmanship and adventure; the wines are designed to feel alive, acidic, and joyful. RAW R is pure Sealionne energy, made under the Privé umbrella.
The Vineyard & the Winemaking
West Wind sits between 300–800 feet on marine sedimentary soils. The fruit for this sparkling red comes from clones 777 and Pommard—two classic Pinot Noir workhorses that deliver structure, spice, and pure red fruit in the cool, windy microclimate of Ribbon Ridge.
Piper’s notes tell the story best: inspired by méthode traditionnelle, the wine received 10 days of skin contact to extract that beautiful red pigment and gentle tannin, then spent a full year on tirage. Élevage was split 50% stainless steel / 50% neutral oak—enough texture without new-oak distraction. Dosage is a precise 2 g/L, keeping it bone-dry and electric. Disgorged February 2026, this is a young, vibrant bottle ready to celebrate.
In the Glass
A fine, persistent mousse carries a ruby-flecked wine that smells like summer in the Willamette: crushed raspberry, wild strawberry, blood-orange zest, and a whisper of rose petal, grounded by that classic Oregon Pinot earthiness—damp forest floor and baking spice.
On the palate it’s pure energy. Bright red fruit dances across the tongue; the short skin contact gives just enough grip and color without weight. The low dosage and year of lees aging deliver a creamy texture balanced by laser-focused acidity. Cherry pit, pomegranate, and a savory, almost saline finish linger long after the bubbles fade. It’s serious enough for the table, playful enough for a picnic, and elegant enough to feel like a quiet toast to every woman rising.
How to Enjoy
Serve well-chilled. Pair it with salmon and berry salsa, duck rillettes, or a simple board of charcuterie and soft cheese. Or just pour it on a sunny afternoon and raise a glass to the women who make the wines—and the science—that move us forward.
This is Oregon sparkling with heart, place, and a clear message. Piper Underbrink continues to prove that the next chapter of Willamette Valley wine is being written by thoughtful, bold hands. All women rise, indeed.
