For the first time, three top wine producers in the Willamette Valley have collaborated to create an incredible pinot noir from their family-owned vineyards.

Called Second Generation Vintners Oregon Originals, or 2GV for short, the 2017 blend represents the work of the second generation of winemakers at Ponzi, Elk Cove and Sokol Blosser. Luisa and Maria Ponzi, Adam Campbell and his sister Anna, Alex Sokol Blosser and sister Alison contributed fruit from each of the three families’ vineyards to make 350 cases — 140 of which were donated to charities.

It has been my experience that winemakers in this pinot noir region often collaborate even if it’s at a Friday night party. It’s not often you see winemakers sharing information. I really wonder if this project could have occurred in any other region.

The project allows the unique soil characteristics of the vineyards to come together under one wine-making recipe. The tasting of each property was done blind — but of course each winemaker could identify his or her wine. The final blend was 36 percent Ponzi fruit with the balance evenly divided by Elk Cove and Sokol Blosser.

The soil blend included Marine sedimentary soil at Elk Cove’s La Boheme Vineyard, Laurelwood soil at Ponzi’s Madrona Vineyard and Jory soil at Sokol Blosser’s Old Vineyard Block.

I’m familiar with the pinot noirs from each of these producers and they are all excellent. But, together, this wine is one of the best I’ve tasted from the Willamette Valley. Alas, given its distribution and cost ($100), you may not have a chance to taste it. It is being sold at the vineyards.

Second Generations pinot noir is a fitting testimony to the parents who were among the pioneers to settle the Willamette wine industry.