Our guests consistently ask for a wide variety of informative seminars and tastings. We will offer twelve different classes to choose from at the 2023 IPNC. All classes are held in the early afternoon following lunch and are included in the full weekend ticket price. Courses are held concurrently and guests will attend only one seminar. All featured winery representatives and media guests are also encouraged to enroll, as this will not interfere with weekend responsibilities.
All Full Weekend guests will attend one University of Pinot seminar during the IPNC weekend.
Learn how form converges with function in winery design. Hear from the winemakers and the architects who designed their wineries on the facets of building design that have the most impact on winemaking. Taste the incredible wines made in these artfully designed wineries and learn how attention to key details in the design process can assist in producing wines of the highest quality.
The director of the Wine & Spirits Studio at Soderstrom Architects, Larry Ferar has been designing wineries for over 25 years. He has been involved in the planning and design of over 70 wineries worldwide from New Zealand to Nova Scotia. Notable clients include Adelsheim, Abbot Claim, Lemelson, Leonetti, Kistler, J. Christopher, Littorai, and Lingua Franca. Trained as both an architect and landscape architect, Larry designs each building to capture and convey the special sense of place inherent in its site. He has published several articles on winery design and has lectured on the subject at Wineries Unlimited, the Oregon Winegrowers Association, and Nelson (New Zealand) regional winemakers. Larry has an undergraduate architectural degree from Washington University in St. Louis and Masters in Architecture and Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon. He has been a LEED Accredited Professional since 2004. His studio’s projects have received design awards in both the US and New Zealand.
Wayne has over 15 years of experience in the programming and design of wineries and distilleries along the west coast. In his role as project manager and designer, Wayne collaborates closely with owners to translate their vision and production needs into an efficient and elegant design. His clients include Illahe Vineyards, Lingua Franca, and Abbott Claim. Prior to practicing architecture, Wayne spent ten years working for a small family winery in the Willamette Valley and several years owning and operating a hard cidery in Northern California. His experience in all aspects of the industry, from production to marketing, gives him a deep understanding of winemakers’ needs and allows him to serve as a liaison between the worlds of wine and architecture. Active in the local community, Wayne has been heavily involved in the annual International Pinot Noir Celebration for over 25 years. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Sparkling Wine Symposium.
Tim has been elbow-deep in J. Christopher wines for years. A native New Yorker, he sold J. Christopher wines for a high-end East Coast distributor before J. Christopher lured him west in 2006 with an offer of harvest work and learning opportunities. Over the next couple of years, he learned from some of the best, including Cameron Winery in Dundee and Flowers Vineyards & Winery in Sonoma, before joining full time as assistant winemaker. Tim helped drive every aspect of J. Christopher’s winemaking from 2008 until 2015, when he left to focus on his own label, Timothy Malone Wines. Happily, he returned as head winemaker in 2020. Today, it’s a best-of-both-worlds story as Tim directs the J. Christopher and Appassionata production and continues to produce his own brand at the J. Christopher winery.
Lingua Franca is located on an exceptional site in the Willamette Valley purchased by Master Sommelier Larry Stone in 2012. As soon as he planted, pieces started to fall into place. Others saw the potential in the humble farm that Larry had transformed into a showcase vineyard and in 2015, Dominique Lafon, David Honig and Larry cofounded Lingua Franca. They soon hired Thomas Savre, a brilliant young winemaker with work experience at some of the best domaines in Burgundy. Thomas is capable of translating the unique character of each block into its highest, most transparent expression of place. The soils and microclimate of Lingua Franca Estate can grow wines as multifaceted and complex as the best of the Old World.
In 2006, Antony Beck planted 34 acres on Yamhill-Carlton’s Savannah Ridge. Later, in both 2012 and 2017, Beck acquired the two adjoining vineyards just north and northwest of his own, thus reassembling a large portion of John F. Abbott’s original 1855 land claim.
Following the hire of winemaker Alban Debeaulieu in 2017 and the subsequent completion of a new winery, Abbott Claim produces wines from its namesake vineyard and a small number of limited bottlings from a few select sites. Embracing that the process not only originates but is in fact widely decided in the vineyard, the wine-making is a natural continuation of the farming philosophies implemented on the estate. Native yeasts, gentle extractions, restrained use of new oak, minimal to no filtration or fining are all aspects of the vinification that allow each terroir to show through.
For Elephants Delicatessen’s sixth seminar as part of IPNC, they will revisit charcuterie and Pinot, one of the quintessential food pairings in all of wine (yes, even more than Muscadet and oysters). Join Chris and Nick as they push the boundaries on the wide variety of hand-made charcuterie that is designed to pair with Pinots new and old from across the globe. Receive a complementary recipe booklet so you can try your hand at making these delicacies that are specifically designed to be Pinot-friendly.
Born and raised in Napa, California, Nick Doughty is the Food and Beverage Director for Elephants Delicatessen in Portland, OR. Nick started in specialty foods at the age of 16 manning the cheese counter at Oakville Grocery. While attending graduate School in Northern Ireland, he ran Feasts Belfast, the region’s first cheese shop, while hosting a monthly cheese show on BBC NI radio. He has also worked at Palisades Market and Dean and Deluca in the Napa Valley. Nick is also an artist, focusing on culinary and vineyard scenes through his blend of woodburning art and traditional Japanese art. His work has been featured in the Napa Valley Register and Koller Collection of Asian Art. He is currently working on a series featuring vineyards and wineries around the world.
Chris is the store manager and buyer for Elephants Delicatessen’s flagship store in NW Portland. He has been producing and selling charcuterie and cheese for one million years along with selling specialty foods and wine. It’s a thing. You are in good hands.
#
#
#
#
Whether it happens this weekend or it happened to you twenty years ago, at some point every avid wine enthusiast asks themself “What is the right way to taste Pinot?” – The common answer is that there is no “right” answer and that is correct. That’s not to say, however, that there aren’t ways to improve your experience. After all, a few useful pointers never hurt! “Professional Pinot Noir Taster” and “Approachable, all-around Nice Guy” don’t always go hand in hand, but when you meet Josh Raynolds, editor for Vinous, you’ll see why we picked him to present this seminar.
Josh’s interest in wine was kindled in the early 1980s while he was at Boston University, pursuing an English degree that he received in 1985. The crash of 1987 put a merciful end to a short-lived stint in the financial world and he decided to make the plunge into the wine trade, beginning in retail in Washington, D.C. and spending the better part of 1989 and 1990 visiting and working in vineyards and cellars in France and Germany. In 1993 he moved to New York to work for a national importer, traveling across the country to represent the portfolio until 2005, when Steve Tanzer asked him to join the International Wine Cellar. Over the last decade Josh has been a regular participant, speaker and judge at wine conferences around the country and contributed articles to Wine & Spirits magazine when there’s time to break away from attending to visiting the wine regions that he covers and trying to keep up with his tasting schedule. He lives on New York’s Long Island with his wife, Merrie Louise and their two daughters.
#
#
#
#
Enjoy a guided tasting of a range of dosages, from zero to high. The only variable in this tasting is the amount of “dosage”, or sugar added, as syrup or liqueur. The idea is that all the wines shown are fantastic. It’s only a matter of individual preference and the nuanced effects of no dosage, low dosage to higher dosage. Guests will enjoy six to seven wines from Argyle’s acclaimed sparkling winemaker Nate Klostermann.
As Oregon’s original sparkling house, founded in 1987, Argyle quickly stood out as a study in contrasts — honoring the deep traditions of wine and embracing innovation; proud to be Oregonian and pulling knowledge from winemakers around the world; cultivating camaraderie and offering mentorship to newer winemakers. When common knowledge said a winery could produce either great still wines or great sparkling, Argyle asked, “Why not both?”, answering that question with acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and sparkling wine. Today, Argyle remains the essential Oregon winery by continuing to embrace the contradictions that make us strong. Argyle is deeply established in the Willamette Valley, yet young at heart, led by winemaker Nate Klostermann, and viticulturist Geoff Hall, who work together to explore and expand the possibilities of modern winemaking.
#
#
#
#
Identifying the impact of oak aging on Pinot Noir can be more challenging than it would seem. Join Ian Hartnett of noted Burgundian barrel maker Tonnellerie Cadus for a guided tasting through wines made with a variety of oak regimens. Taste for yourself how the oak flavors and aromas blend into the wines, and gain insight into why and how the use of oak plays out in finished wines.
Beginning in 2000, Ian cut his industry teeth on the production side with rich experiences in Sonoma County at Ravenswood, MacRostie, and Dutton-Goldfield. The last 15 years have been dedicated to the cultivation of French oak barrel programs culminating at his present role as Director of Sales for Tonnellerie Cadus and AnA Selection. Over those years, the profession has enabled him to regularly taste in a diverse range of regions which has been “equally enlightening and humbling of conventional wisdoms.” He maintains that this unique segment within the industry of wine is still as much about discovery as application of expertise.
#
#
#
#
If you have never participated in a honey tasting, you are not alone. Let this special session amaze you as you explore and discover the marked differences in honeys, but also learn how the language used to describe honey can translate over to the world of wine. Where bees get their nectar and pollen depends on the season and the available blooming plants in the area. This complex set of circumstances contributes to how the honey tastes, similar to how terroir, vineyard decisions, and winemaking affect Pinot Noir. Finish the seminar by tasting a compelling example of honey used in the production of sparkling wine!
Lee Hedgmon is a native Oregonian who loves creating amazing layered flavors with simple ingredients. Her love of food and fermented beverages has included beer, wine, cider and mead. She started brewing in 2004 while in graduate school and she launched herself into brewing professionally when she moved back to Portland in 2010. She loves experimenting with different ingredients to create flavors that enhance other foods and she looks forward to bringing those creations to her customers.
#
#
#
#
We’ve collected a flight of wines from some of the most unique micro-climates in the world, from the northernmost reaches of Italy to the slopes of Burgundy. Taste along with the winemakers and discover how everything from minute soil differences to the reflections emanating from the rock faces across a valley can work together to produce delicious and fascinating Pinot Noir.
Author, journalist, and consultant, Charles Curtis is a Master of Wine and the former Head of Wine for Christie’s auction house in both Asia and the Americas, with a wealth of experience in the wine and spirit trade. He joined Christie’s in 2008 from Moet Hennessy USA, where he was Director of Wine and Spirit Education. In 2012 he set up his fine wine consultancy WineAlpha to provide advice on varied topics of interest to wine collectors and the trade. His first book, The Original Grand Crus of Burgundy, was released in 2014, and the second, Vintage Champagne 1899 – 2019 in 2020. He is a board member of the Institute of Masters of Wine, North America and the Appraiser’s Association of America, and is a frequent contributor to Decanter magazine and other publications. He began his professional career as a chef, training at Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, and apprenticing there at the Crillon Hotel and at other restaurants. He hung up his toque at the age of thirty to pursue a career in wine.
Abby Kaufman, a Portland native, has been living and working in the wine industry in Burgundy since 2015. After studies in French and international business and politics, she followed her love of wine from slinging bottles in PDX, to harvest in the Willamette Valley, to the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône, to the Pinot Mecca of the Côte d’Or. She began by studying wine sales, terroir and tasting, and oenology at the Viti in Beaune and the Institut de la Vigne et du Vin in Dijon while cutting her teeth in the industry at Becky Wasserman & Co. in marketing. After 3.5 years with the Serbet team she moved full-time to Benjamin Leroux, where she currently manages sales, client relations, and logistics.
Tenuta J. Hofstätter, located in the tiny village of Tramin in Italy‘s most northern region Alto Adige, looks back at four generations of winegrowing. In 1992 Martin Foradori Hofstätter took over the winery from his parents. Together with his family, he embarked on an era of modernization and expansion of the estate. Today, the vineyards extend not only in Alto Adige’s most exceptional sites, but also on the steep slopes of the Saar in Germany’s Mosel wine region. Martin Foradori Hofstätter focuses on terroir and tradition, without missing current trends. His Pinot Noir is Italy’s most celebrated; the Pinot vineyards have been part of the winery since its foundation more than 100 years ago.
Theopolis Vineyards is a small lot vineyard and hand-crafted winery located in California’s prestigious Yorkville Highlands of the Anderson Valley. Situated along Highway 128 in southeastern Mendocino County near the border of Sonoma County, the AVA is a highly elevated, rugged interior wine-growing area. Established in 2003, Wine Critic Robert Parker bestowed upon wine made from grapes harvested from Theopolis Vineyards a stellar rating of 94-96 points, a spectacular showing for the vintner’s first harvest in 2006. In addition to bottling the richly intense and flavorful Petite Sirah and Rosé of Petite Sirah, Theopolis Vineyards strikes a lighter note by bottling a Symphony, a white wine, which is a crossing of Muscat and Grenache Gris. Theopolis Vineyards also bottles an Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, a Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and several varietals of Yorkville Highlands Pinot Noir. Theopolis Vineyards is best known for its Best in Class, Double Gold, 95 Points Estate Grown Petite Sirah and its Double Gold Estate-Grown Rosé of Petite Sirah. All wines from Theopolis Vineyard are regularly bestowed 90 Plus Points by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Bethel Heights was established in 1977 in the Eola-Amity Hills by brothers Ted and Terry Casteel and their partners Pat Dudley and Marilyn Webb. In 2006, Ben Casteel took over for his father as winemaker at Bethel Heights. Over the years the family has grown the estate vineyards to 75 acres, but the original 50 acres of own-rooted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines they planted in the 70’s continue to provide the backbone of Bethel Heights estate grown wines. Gnarly old vines, geologically complex hillside soils, and direct impact from Æolian winds – all conspire to create highly energized wines with firm backbones, depth of character, and distinctive personalities. Fourteen different bottlings of estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay each year barely begin to tell the tale.
Nestled beyond a ridgeline towering 1,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean, Wayfarer Vineyard is an oasis in a remote landscape of redwood forest and winding mountain roads. Wayfarer Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay hail from this single estate vineyard in Fort Ross-Seaview, Sonoma Coast’s most dramatic appellation.
Wayfarer thoughtfully incorporates organic and sustainable viticulture, recognizing that the highest-quality fruit comes from vineyards farmed for the long-term health of the land. Produced in limited quantities, Wayfarer wines are vibrant upon release and cellar beautifully for years to come.
From vigor, to water retention, to micronutrients, the soil a Pinot Noir vine is planted in has an enormous impact on the fruit that winemakers harvest. Part of the overall terroir of a vineyard, soil is carefully chosen when planting, and considered during each vintage throughout the growing season. Join our panelists who make wine from a variety of different soil types and learn more about how the dirt makes the wine.
Hailing from a small town in New Zealand, Michael completed a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Scandinavian Studies, and Political Science at the University of Auckland and tested the unusual employment possibilities that afforded, before returning to Lincoln University for a post-graduate diploma in Viticulture & Enology. Prior to joining A to Z, he served for 6 years at Chehalem as the Vineyard Manager and Assistant Winemaker. He has also worked in Burgundy, California, the Hunter Valley of Australia, and numerous regions of New Zealand.
Born in Tokyo, Chisa Bize started her career as an investment banker. She met Patrick Bize, the talented vigneron of Savigny-lès-Beaune while he was in Japan, and she later moved to Burgundy in 1997 to be with him. They have two children. Unfortunately, Patrick passed away prematurely in 2013 on the first day of the harvest. Chisa has been at the head of Domaine Bize since then. She tries to drive the farming toward a natural way and to make wine that is not decorated but rather simply pure. Hugo, her son, studied at the lycée viticole in Beaune, is now starting to join the team at the Domaine after gaining experience in Burgundy, Alsace and Argentina. Nazca, her daughter, is studying architecture but is interested in wine as well.
Grace and Ken Evenstad settled in Oregon in 1989. Their passion to produce wines that rival the great wines of Burgundy led them to purchase and plant a hilltop estate that had just been logged in the now famous Dundee Hills. Today, Domaine Serene produces wines from six vineyard estates, planted exclusively to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 2015, the Evenstads acquired Château de la Crée in Santenay, making them the first Oregon-based vintners to own land and produce wines in Burgundy. In just under three decades, Domaine Serene has taken its place on the global stage as one of the world’s most acclaimed wineries. Through the continuous pursuit of quality and innovation, Domaine Serene has garnered global recognition as an iconic quality leader of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Reeve Wines proprietors Noah and Kelly Dorrance are two Missouri natives who ventured to the West Coast, like many before them, chasing dreams. Noah spearheads production and winemaking. Kelly oversees hospitality and experience. Their main commonality lies in the fact that they dream big with high expectations.
Each bottle of Reeve is the result of pursuit. Pursuit of the best vineyards in California. Pursuit of the best growing and winemaking practices. Pursuit of the perfect expression. The perfect expression of what exactly? Of this particular vineyard, with that particular slope, with this particular grower, with this year’s particular weather—all filtered through their own lens and style.
“Thirty-two years ago, we cleared an old filbert orchard on the east side of a place called Ribbon Ridge and began planting the first ten acres of Pinot Noir. The site didn’t have a name at first, but a 1928 vintage brick farmhouse dominated the heart of the property. So in the early days our vineyard crew would ask their boss where to go to work in the morning. They were told to go to “casa de ladrillo” …the ‘brick house’.
It stuck. Brick House applied for organic certification in 1990 and over the years have planted out the best sites on their 40-acre farm. Their estate-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Gamay Noir– the great varieties of Burgundy— grow 440 feet above the north Willamette Valley floor. The “Les Dijonnais” Pinot Noir grows on a south sloping ridge line planted in 1995. Today all of their wines are certified for Biodynamic production. Native yeasts, low sulfur, and careful, hands-on viticulture…they like to say they’ve farmed “in harmony with nature” from day one.”
Chacra is comprised of 1200 acres located in the Rio Negro Valley of Argentina’s Patagonia and was founded by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta in 2002. All Chacra wines are organic and biodynamic as respect and preservation of nature are of the utmost importance to Piero and the Chacra family. Piero planted over 40,000 trees and 25,000 lavender plants along with large vegetable gardens. Apiculture is essential to Chacra with hives scattered across the entire farm. Local flora and fauna are cultivated and protected throughout the property as well. Chacra now makes five high-quality pinots, all cultivated biodynamically and also two chardonnays, with their flagship chardonnay made in partnership with esteemed Burgundy producer Jean-Marc Roulot, who plays a hands-on role with Piero in Patagonia, helping with planting, farming and vinifying. Chacra is internationally recognized by critics having been awarded Best Wine of 2021 and Top 100 Wines of the World. Chacra can be found at the best restaurants in the world including Eleven Madison Park and Le Bernardin.
How long should I age this wine? It’s almost an existential question and projecting the answer can be difficult for a number of factors. Our panelists will present age-worthy wines and consider how long they will age and why. Gain the winemakers’ perspectives on what goes into crafting an age-worthy wine and how sensory evaluation can help you decide how long to lay that bottle down.
Julia Coney is a Washington, D.C. and Houston, Texas-based wine writer, wine educator, speaker, and consultant. Her wine writing includes stories on wine, winemakers, and the intersection of race, wine, and language. Julia is the Wine Consultant for American Airlines in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Julia is the recipient of Wine Enthusiast’s 2020 Social Visionary Award Winner for her work in writing and speaking on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the wine industry. Wine Industry Network has named her one of Wine’s Most Inspiring People for 2022. Julia is the Founder of Black Wine Professionals, a resource for wine industry employers and gatekeepers, professionals, and the food and beverage community. Their goal is to lift up the multifaceted Black professionals in the world of wine. Julia is a Contributing Editor for VinePair, the world’s largest online drinks platform and the Wine Columnist for Sweet July Magazine. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Wine Enthusiast, Thrillist, The Tasting Panel, Plate Magazine, Forbes.com, WineEnthusiast.com, The Washington Post, Seven Fifty Daily, Wine Searcher, the Financial Times, JancisRobinson.com, Glamour, Essence, and numerous print and digital publications.
Alexandrine Roy is the 4th generation of the Roy family to farm her holdings in Gevrey-Chambertin and Marsannay. This is a tiny domaine of just four hectares that is meticulously cared for as if it was a personal garden. Alexandrine is a true farmer, consistently plowing the soils of her old-vine vineyards (many of which are more than 100 years old) to allow the roots to dig deep into the shallow limestone. The resulting wines from these delicately cared for plots show a lovely purity and elegance that have garnered the domaine praise from around the world. Through minimal intervention and extraction, Alexandrine allows her old vines to express themselves with immense depth of flavor and clarity. For the uninitiated – and there seem to be fewer and fewer each year – Burgundy rarely is as pristine, or downright delicious, than the extraordinary wines of Alexandrine Roy.
For more than a decade, LaRue Wines’ proprietor and winemaker Katy Wilson has been devoted to showcasing small lot Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced exclusively from some of the top vineyard sites on the Sonoma Coast. The name, LaRue, pays tribute to the bold and independent woman who inspired Katy’s entrepreneurial spirit: her great grandmother, Veona LaRue Newell.
In 2020, Katy’s husband, David Meneses officially joined the LaRue team as the Director of Sales. David has been an integral addition to the family business. LaRue Wines thrives today as an ultra-premium, 500-case brand. Katy and David continue to personally craft each bottle of LaRue wine from grape to glass.
The Eyrie Vineyards founded the modern era of viticulture on February 22, 1965, when founder David Lett planted the region’s first modern vinifera grapes. Jason Lett took over from his father to become The Eyrie Vineyards proprietor in 2005. Through his work, Jason has continued to elevate the estate’s reputation for timeless expression of each site and variety in Eyrie’s portfolio through regenerative farming practices and careful cellar work. He has kept production small while also introducing new varieties such as Trousseau. Jason also annually releases a handful of cellar-certified library wines directly from Eyrie’s deep collection.
When it comes to Oregon Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, few possess the rich history and experience of Ponzi Vineyards, a pioneering Oregon winery. The winery was founded in 1970 by Dick and Nancy Ponzi who realized the Willamette Valley met every need of noble, cool-climate grape varieties. Ponzi Vineyards was recognized early on as a premier producer and was instrumental in putting Oregon on the map as a world class wine region. The family tradition of excellence continued under the helm of the Ponzi sisters, Anna Maria and Luisa.
In 2021, ownership passed to Société Jacques Bollinger of Champagne, France. The winery continues to be a leader in Pinot Noir innovation and remains at the forefront of American wines as one of Oregon’s legendary producers.
Founded in 1996, Brewer-Clifton is known for refined Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs – all raised in neutral barrels with whole cluster fermentation. Brewer-Clifton wines are a reflection of the geographic, geologic and climatic uniqueness of California’s Sta. Rita Hills appellation in Santa Barbara County. Within this appellation, each vineyard carries its own imprint. Founder and Winemaker Greg Brewer has spent the entirety of his three-decade career dedicated to crafting cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from this finite stretch of land.
The matching of the correct clone or clones to a particular vineyard site is one of the most challenging and complex decisions in viticulture. Irreversible once the vines are planted, a viticulturalist has only one shot at getting this question right for a vineyard that will be producing for decades. Join our winemakers in delving into the decision-making process of which clones to plant where.
Sean P. Sullivan is the founder and editor of Washington Wine Report, an on-line publication dedicated to the wines and wineries of the Pacific Northwest.
A native of Massachusetts, Sullivan moved to Washington in 2000 to pursue a love of mountain climbing. Captivated by the area’s exploding wine scene, in 2004 he began writing wine reviews and distributing them via email under the name Washington Wine Report before establishing it as an on-line site in 2007. Washington Wine Report is a four-time finalist and two-time winner of ‘Best Single Subject Wine Blog’ from the Wine Blog Awards.
In addition to his work at Washington Wine Report, Sullivan is also a regular contributor to Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book, Seattle Metropolitan, and Washington Tasting Room. From 2013 to 2022, he was a contributing editor at Wine Enthusiast magazine covering Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Canada.
Sullivan has authored over 400 articles, 1,900 blog posts, and reviewed more than 16,000 Northwest wines. He resides in Seattle, Washington.
Pablo and Vincent Chevrot graduated in enology and have been in charge of the domaine since 2004. The family domaine was created in 1930, seeing successive generations of Chevrot. Pablo and Vincent embarked on organic agriculture certification in 2008. The domaine spreads over 19 hectares in Cheilly-lès-Maranges, Dezize-lès-Maranges and Santenay and Savigny les Beaune.
EIEIO is a one-person operation started in 1998 as Oregon Bonded Winery Number 333, currently producing approximately 2,500 cases per vintage in a tiny 1,200 square foot winery on Jay McDonald’s farm. Get it? Located just west of the hamlet of Carlton in the Foothills of the Coast Range, EIEIO focuses on Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Both primary and secondary fermentation are attributed to Mother Nature, plus a human hug now and then, allowing the vineyard and the vintage to show through. Elevage normally lasts between 18 and 23 months allowing secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors to fully develop.
Etude, meaning “study” in French, was established by Founding Winemaker Tony Soter in 1982 on the philosophy that winemaking begins in the vineyard long before harvest, and that superior grape growing allows Etude to craft wines of exceptional varietal expression and finesse. This ethos remains unwavering today as the winery, under the direction of General Manager and Winemaker Jon Priest, continues to build upon its established legacy of exemplary Pinot Noir. Their Estate Pinot Noirs, including a highly esteemed bottling made from rare heirloom selections, are vinified from grapes grown on the winery’s Grace Benoist Ranch nestled in the far northwest corner of the esteemed Carneros Appellation. Ultimately, this minimal intervention approach allows each Pinot Noir to purely reflect the unique character of its regional vineyard and still maintain Etude’s hallmarks of aromatic intrigue, vibrancy of expression and depth in ageability.
Stephen Ross Winery produces handcrafted mind-blowing wines in small batches at its modern urban winery in the city of San Luis Obispo. Winemaker Stephen Ross Dooley believes quality is everything and that starts in the vineyard. Their estate Stone Corral Vineyard in the Edna Valley is the source of five bottlings of Pinot Noir: Arête, Stone Corral Vineyard, Edna Valley Estate, Rose of Pinot Noir and Blanc de Noir sparkling wine. The winery also sources Pinot Noir from nearby Greengate Vineyard and Spanish Springs Vineyard for their San Luis Obispo Coast Pinot Noir. The winery, offices and tasting room are in the city of San Luis Obispo.
Sunshine, rain, frost, bloom conditions, and myriad other factors influence the wine resulting from every growing season. Many winemakers will tell you that each vintage brings new surprises and challenges, and that the variation between vintages is a big part of what keeps winemaking and wine interesting. Learn about the impact of vintage and how great winemakers can make great wines even in challenging years.
Shakera Jones is a NYC-based food and wine writer, host, podcaster and educator. Her show, Weekly Wines, on SOMMTV explores grape varieties and production regions to broaden the palates of her followers. Through her welcoming approach, Shakera breaks down the intimidation often associated with the world of fine wines. Shakera has created a community that promotes and supports diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for women and other underrepresented groups in the culinary and fine wine industries. Season 3 of her Podcast: A Glass for Every Palate premiered in May 2022. She was recently recognized as one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 40 under 40 Tastemakers in 2021, and was named as Rising Black Voice by Wine & Spirits Magazine in 2020.
Domaine Chanson is one of the great historic producers in Burgundy. Founded in 1750, they are 1 of only 6 producers in the region still remaining from the 18th century and earlier. Most critical to today, Chanson was purchased in 1999 and has been dramatically restored to once again become one of Burgundy’s top estates, best signified in 2017 by 3 of their wines earning “wine of the year” plaudits from the most renowned wine critic in France. Chanson has extensive holdings of over 111 acres of exclusively Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in the heart of Burgundy. This includes 62 acres of Premier Cru vineyards in the Côte de Beaune, making them one of the leading Premier Cru specialists in the appellation. They produce approximately 17,000 cases of Domaine wine per year from their vineyards by farming organically, and harvesting all grapes and vinifying all wines, even for contracted vineyards. Before joining the team at Chanson, Vincent Wallays was assistant winemaker at Bouchard Ainé & Fils.
A family-owned and operated winery in the heart of the Ribbon Ridge AVA, Trisaetum only works with fruit from founders Andrea & James Frey’s estate vineyards. Founded in 2003, Trisaetum’s vineyards are dry-farmed, never tilled and hand-harvested. As winemaker, James Frey bottles single vineyard Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Sparkling wines each vintage.
In addition to his role as winemaker/proprietor, James is an internationally recognized artist with paintings sold to collectors throughout the world. His paintings are currently on display throughout the United States; as well as in the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Canada and Brazil. A gallery of his artwork is featured at the Trisaetum Winery.
Trisaetum is a proud member of the Deep Roots Coalition, the Oregon Oak Accord and 1% for the Planet.
Western Australia-born Julian Grounds has been working in wineries and vineyards since the age of 17. After graduating Dux from his Oenology and Viticulture studies, and receiving the Leeuwin Award for future leadership, Julian was awarded a scholarship to make Pouilly-Fuissé Chardonnays in Burgundy. After stints in Margaret River, Central Otago, and Oregon, Julian took up a role as Senior Winemaker at Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley, before later returning to Margaret River to join McHenry Hohnen as Chief Winemaker. In 2017, he graduated Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial in the Hunter Valley. Julian joined Craggy Range as Chief Winemaker in January 2019, bringing his enthusiasm for contributing to the constant evolution of viticulture and winemaking.
Cloudsley Cellars is a boutique winery located in the heart of the Twenty Mile Bench appellation in Niagara, Ontario. With grapes sourced from some of Niagara’s best vineyards, they aim to produce the finest representation of cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with minimalist intervention. Traditional techniques include the use of wild yeast and extended barrel maturation in French oak with minimal new oak so as not to overpower the inherent characteristics of the terroir. Whether at a restaurant, at home or at the winery, Cloudsley Cellars hopes that you enjoy their unique expression of Niagara.
Keller Estate is located in the Petaluma Gap AVA, Sonoma County. The family planted its first vineyard in 1989 and produced its first vintage of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the family property in 2000.
Keller Estate’s philosophy is to produce the most outstanding wines exclusively from its vineyards. For this reason, sustainability and regenerative farming is at the heart of everything they do, from their farming to their winemaking practices.
Today, Keller Estate is directed by Ana Keller. Their passion is to showcase the terroir’s natural bright acidity, minerality, layered tannins, and bright fruit. They bring this to each one of the wines they craft for your table.
Sparkling wines are now being produced by many still Pinot Noir winemakers around the world. Vineyard elevation, clonal selection, aspect, and crop levels are just a few of the things that affect whether grapes are ideal for still or sparkling Pinot. Learn from our panel how they angle for quality from the time of planting, down to individual picking decisions.
Katherine Cole is the James Beard Award-winning executive producer and host of The Four Top, an international podcast focusing on hot-button topics in the wine world. She is also the author of five books on wine, including Sparkling Wine Anytime, and communications director at Vin Agency. A graduate of Harvard College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Katherine is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers and has been named to the “Imbibe 75” list of “the people, places and flavors that will help shape the way we all drink.” In her spare time, Katherine is an avid hiker, skier, and cyclist, and serves on the boards of Portland Backpack and the Portland chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International.
Gran Moraine wines shine a light on the monologue of the Gran Moraine Vineyard, lifting its voice and vibrant energy through a signature style of elegance and restraint, with a fresh through-line of acidity. A style – in many ways antithetical to the natural tendencies of the Yamhill-Carlton sub-AVA – that has established the winery as not only a Pinot Noir, but a Chardonnay and sparkling wine leader in the Willamette Valley.
Their vineyard is nestled in the eastern foothills of Coast Range, on the wild western edge of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The range’s peaks to the west and south buffer maritime winds and rain from the Pacific Ocean, creating a more temperate growing season distinct from neighboring sites. Planted in 2005-2006 to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Dijon clones, the 194-acre vineyard perches in thin marine sedimentary soils and offers diverse block exposures and elevation.
Stoller Family Estate is one of the most innovative vineyards and wineries in Oregon. Pioneering Oregonian and Founder Bill Stoller purchased his family’s second-generation farm in 1993 with the vision of cultivating an enduring legacy for the land and Oregon wine industry. Over the last 25 years, he has patiently transformed the 400-acre property into the largest contiguous vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Stoller Family Estate features the world’s first LEED® Gold certified winery, three guest homes, a state-of-the-art tasting room, and immersive experience center with panoramic vineyard views. Named Oregon’s Most Admired Winery by the Portland Business Journal for seven consecutive years and 10Best Tasting Rooms by USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice poll in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 there has never been a better time to plan your visit.
Since 1986, J Vineyards & Winery has developed a reputation as one of the top sparkling and still wine producers in California. Known for its celebrated estate vineyards, contemporary winery and world-class hospitality, what truly sets J apart is its Traditional Method sparkling process and elevated winemaking techniques. Winemaker Nicole Hitchcock showcases her expertise and the diversity of California winegrowing regions through a portfolio of acclaimed still and sparkling wines. Visit the renowned Tasting Room in the heart of Russian River Valley to enjoy one of the many tasting experiences or the innovative pairings created by Executive Chef Forest Kellogg in the Bubble Room.
#
#
If you are a Full Weekend guest attending the 2022 IPNC, we encourage you to register for the course you are most interested in.
University of Pinot Enrollment is now closed. Guests who have not enrolled will be placed into one of the amazing seminars listed above.
