Winemaker Notes

The 1998 vintage - was an exciting one! Although the crop was small in quantity, it made up for it with lavish ripeness. The nose to our vintage pinot this year is immediately reminiscent of fresh bing cherries, but oh, theres more... a definite perception of warm earth, and perhaps thyme? All followed by some exotic things like hibiscus blossom, tea leaf - very interesting!

The mouth feel is soft - an image of red satin comes to mind, and the soft creaminess reminded us of a cherry pôt-de-crème, with an edge of bittersweet chocolate and roasted coffee.

Erath Vineyards

Erath Vineyards

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Home of some of the planet’s most amazingly elegant and expressive Pinot noir, the Willamette Valley is a pastoral, mixed landscape of green, bucolic rolling hills, dramatic forestlands and small, independent, friendly wine growers. As a leader in environmental stewardship, the valley has some of the nation’s most protective land use policies, with two-thirds of its vineyards farmed sustainably and over half, organically. While the valley claims a cool, continental climate, and is heavily influenced by the cold, moist winds of the Pacific Ocean, its warm and dry summers allow for the steady, even ripening of Pinot noir.

The potential of Willamette Valley Pinot noir continues to attract the investment of serious growers and winemakers both locally and from abroad, as naturally the finished wines bring accolades from professionals and enthusiasts. With a range of styles from delicate dried cherry, raspberry and hibiscus to stronger notes of truffle, mocha, plum and spice, a fine Willamette Valley Pinot noir is a perfect expression of both character and grace.

GLO5671315_1999 Item# 10071