Winemaker Notes
Founded in 1987 as Oregon's original sparkling wine house, Argyle quickly stood out as a study in contrasts—honoring the deep traditions of wine and embracing innovation and experimentation; proud to be Oregonian and pulling knowledge from winemakers around the world. When common knowledge said a winery could produce great sparkling wine or great still wine Argyle asked "why not both?", answering the question with acclaimed wines from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Riesling.
Their four estate vineyards make up nearly 500 acres in the Willamette Valley, with the majority in the Eola-Amity Hills and Dundee Hills nested AVAs. Willamette Valley's cool, late ripening climate produces age worthy base wines. The vineyards, nearing 1000' in elevation, ensure fruit develops slowly, retains acidity, and promotes flavor ripeness before sugar ripeness.
Nate Klostermann is the second winemaker in Argyle's 35-year history and has emerged as one of Oregon's most gifted winemakers. He currently celebrates nearly two decades at Argyle and continues to say he "landed in a good spot" when he arrived at Argyle to work his first harvest. With his fine-tuned winemaking skills and passion for Oregon wine, Nate is now recognized for making elegant and complex sparkling wines along with vibrant and impeccably balanced Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Meunier.
Built on the foundation of "Grower first", Argyle's viticulture team is taking sustainable farming a step further with regenerative farming. Practices such as utilizing custom cover crop and biochar enhanced compost made in house provide natural nutrient additions. Minimal tilling encourages growth of microbes in the soil, water retention and reduces erosion. Blue bird and kestrel habitats are scattered around various vineyards for pest control. Local sheep are brought into the vineyards to manage grass and weeds, and while they aren't a requirement for winemaking, the team has developed bee sanctuaries. These sanctuaries are parcels of fallow land, now dedicated to growing flowers pollinators and beneficial insects.
Their commitment to and partnerships with community organizations, sustainability, Oregon's winegrowing industry, and their employees and families are foundational to Argyle's approach. Argyle makes contributions to non-profit organizations committed to improving the lives of vineyard workers and non-profit organizations that support the arts. These organizations include AHIVOY, ¡Salud!, The Roots Fund, PDX Jazz, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland Center Stage, and Portland Opera.
Argyle is the only winery to land on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list for Sparkling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Home of the first Pinot noir vineyard of the Willamette Valley, planted by David Lett of Eyrie Vineyard in 1966, today the Dundee Hills AVA remains the most densely planted AVA in the valley (and state). To its north sits the Chehalem Valley and to its south, runs the Willamette River. Within the region’s 12,500 acres, about 1,700 are planted to vine on predominantly basalt-based, volcanic, Jory soil.