Eyrie Vineyards
"The Eyrie Vineyards is one of the original historic wine estates in Oregon and by all accounts one of the most historic in this country. At Polaner Selections we love representing the true classic and iconic producers of their region: Giacomo Conterno in Piedmont, Felsina in Tuscany, Michel Gaunoux in the Cote d'Or and Calera in California's Central Coast among many others. It is a thrill for us to add Eyrie to that list. In the winter of 1965, after earning a degree in viticulture and enology from UC/Davis, and having spent time researching the vine in Europe, 25-year old David Lett moved to Oregon "with 3,000 grape cuttings and a theory". He planted the cuttings in a rented nursery plot, and went looking for the perfect vineyard site. It was the first planting of Pinot noir, Chardonnay, and related varieties in the Willamette Valley, and the first Pinot Gris in America. Eyrie Vineyards was officially founded by David and Diana Lett in 1966 when they planted their vineyards in the Red Hills of Dundee, about 30 miles SW of Portland. The Letts settled on the name Eyrie (EYE-ree) after the red-tailed hawks who make their home in the fir trees near the top of their original vineyard plantings. The winery was built in nearby McMinville and the first vintage to be produced and bottled was the 1970. And just five years later, in 1975, The Eyrie Vineyards produced the first American Pinot noir to compete successfully with the renowned Pinot Noirs of Burgundy. (Paris, 1979; Beaune, 1980). In 2005, Jason Lett took over from his father as winemaker and vineyard manager at The Eyrie Vineyards, and continues his family's pioneering legacy. Today, total annual production is around 10,000 cases. All wines are estate-grown and produced. In addition to handcrafted Pinot noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, the Eyrie Vineyards also makes limited bottlings of Pinot blanc, Pinot Meunier and Muscat Ottonel. The philosophy of The Eyrie Vineyards, in the vineyards and in the winery, is to interfere as little as possible with the processes of Nature. From the beginning, the wines have been made exclusively from hand-harvested grapes grown without the use of insecticides, herbicides or systemic fungicides. The vines are also grown on their own roots, and are not irrigated. In the winery, Eyrie's "gentle touch" vineyard philosophy is carried over in their winemaking approach. The "style" is based on picking grapes at that elusive point of maturity where true varietal characteristics are at their peak, but before they become over-ripe. In the winery great care is taken not to compromise these flavors. This means minimal racking, extended lees contact, complete and spontaneous native fermentations, no fining, minimal filtration, etc. This gentle treatment creates wines which are very approachable when young but also with a (now legendary) ability to age for decades."
Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir 'Daphne' 2018
$79.95 $105.60
Vinous Media 96 "Brilliant red. Mineral-accented red and blue fruit, spice and floral qualities on the expansive nose, along with hints of incense and musky sassafras.
Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Gris Dundee Hills 2020
$26.95 $35.20
"Eyrie pioneered the variety in the New World and the New World’s oldest vines contribute to this cuvée. Eyrie Pinot Gris differs from many of
Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Gris 2019
Wine Enthusiast 93 WE TOP 100 2021 Rank 4 "The tawny gold color belies the youth of this wine, and sure enough it's moved ahead on the
Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Gris 2018
Wine Enthusiast 93 "Eyrie was the first to plant Pinot Gris in America, long before it became Oregon’s most famous white grape. No surprise that five
Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Chardonnay 2017
James Suckling 93 "Theres a bright array of spiced pears and peaches on offer here with a core of citrus and melon flavors, served up in
Eyrie Vineyards Trousseau Dundee Hills 2017
James Suckling 93 "This ethereally fragrant, perfumed and delicate light red has such charming and attractive laciness in terms of aromas, flavors and textures. Herb-wrapped strawberries
Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Gris 2017
Wine Enthusiast 92 "(EDITORS' CHOICE) From the winery that introduced Pinot Gris to America, this is a full-bodied, fleshy and beautifully fruited wine, which delivers the
Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir 'Daphne' 2017
Vinous Media 95 "Deep, shimmering red. Highly expressive, spice- and mineral-tinged red fruits, candied flowers, musky earth and incense qualities on the perfumed nose. Silky and
Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Gris 2016
Wine Enthusiast 92 WINE ENTHUSIAST TOP 100 CELLAR SELECTION 2018 #96 "Eyrie pioneered this variety and continues a half century later to break new ground. It's aromatically
Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir 'Daphne' 2016
James Suckling 96 "The most elevated and exposed site for Eyrie, this has lean soils, too, and the yields are low. The nose has a very
Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir 'Daphne' 2015
Wine Advocate 96+ "From vines planted beginning in 1974 at 900 feet in elevation, the 2015 Pinot Noir Daphne Vineyard is pale to medium ruby-purple in
Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Gris 2014
Wine Enthusiast 92 "Stylish and detailed, this exemplary effort showcases a subtle and elegant approach to the grape. Rather than fleshy fruit flavors, it offers focused
Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Gris 2013
Wine Advocate 91 " The 2013 Pinot Gris Estate is from vines planted in Rolling Green Farm and Daphne Vineyard (the first plantings in the United
Eyrie Vineyards 'Original Vines' Pinot Noir 2013
Wine Enthusiast 94 "Produced from the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the Willamette Valley, this extraordinary wine is history in a bottle. Glorious aromatics offer intense
The Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Noir 2012
Wine Enthusiast 93 "Fine-tuning a legacy, second-generation winemaker Jason Lett’s wines are clean, elegant, poised and balanced. This is textbook Pinot Noir, with just-ripe raspberry and
Eyrie Vineyards 'Outcrop Vyd' Pinot Noir 2012
Wine Advocate 94 " The 2012 Pinot Noir Outcrop comes from vines located higher than the Sisters Vineyard, on a tier of basalt that juts out
Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris 2011
" In 1970, David Lett produced five cases of the first Pinot Gris in the New World. Aware of its potential, Lett expanded his acreage
The Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Gris 2008
Robert Parker 91 "The 2008 Pinot Gris Estate has an alluring nose of melon, mineral, and floral notes leading to a creamy-textured, rich, concentrated wine. The
The Eyrie Vineyards 'Estate' Pinot Noir 2007
Robert Parker 91 "The 2007 Pinot Noir Estate is more expressive aromatically. Cinnamon, allspice, rose petal, cherry, and raspberry scents lead to a silky, medium-bodied, feminine
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