2024 The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris 'The Eyrie' Dundee Hills, Oregon

(Winery Notes) This Pinot gris is a liquid manifesto. We believe that Pinot gris has all the ability of Pinot noir to reflect the nuances of site, craft, and vine age, and this wine is our statement of proof. The grapes come from the first Pinot gris vines planted in the New World, and we’ve given special attention in order to pay homage to these old vines. The wine is light gold in color, with crunchy apple and a touch of five spice coming through on the front palate. A rich mid palate balances creamy ripe pear and floral tones, and leads to a lengthy, polished finish.

The Eyrie, Sisters, Rolling Green, Daphne, and Tukwilla Vineyards Orientation: South and South-Southeast. Soil: Jory and Woodburn. Vines are nonirrigated, own-rooted, Guyot-trained, on 10’ x 6’ spacing. We use no herbicides, systemic chemicals or insecticides. Vineyards floors are maintained with a native cover and no tillage. Hand harvest-ed. The grapes are destemmed and undergo a long (4 hour) cycle in a basket press to dejuice. The wine is allowed to follow natural fermentation curves in small stainless tanks. Aged in small stainless steel tank and some neutral French oak. “Truly an innovator, Eyrie Pinot Gris differs from many of its brethren because it is treated with the same respect as they treat their Pinot Noir -- recognizing that restrained yields give intensity. “