Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction, Powered by Zachys, August 10
5 cases of 2021 Pinot Noir produced specially for this auction.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/10/2023
THE WINE
Before our rocky, exposed hillside in McMinnville (the farthest west nested AVA in the Willamette Valley) was planted to vitis vinifera in 2001, its rugged, broken basalts, glacial deposits and volcanic soils on the edge of the Coast Range were deemed suitable only for breaking wild horses. The challenging nature of our hillside is precisely what makes its wines so expressive and intriguing. While we normally produce single-block Pinots that illustrate specific micro-sites in our vineyard, the unique Wild, Wild West cuvée showcases our estate as a whole. This wine is structured, savory and soulful. It’s a singular expression of Pinot noir that couldn’t have been grown anywhere else.
THE WINERY
Robert and Ellen Brittan left Napa to pursue their dream of making cool-climate Pinot noir and Chardonnay in Oregon. They purchased 128 acres in the McMinnville AVA, where they have 30 acres planted to Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Robert brings nearly 50 years of viticulture and winemaking experience to their venture, having worked as winemaker at Far Niente, St. Andrew’s and Stags’ Leap Winery prior to launching Brittan Vineyards in 2006. Brittan produces six distinct Pinot noirs from the estate vineyard, taking advantage of the various elevations, aspects, wind patterns and geologic diversity on the site.
AVA: McMinnville, Willamette Valley
Vineyard: Brittan Estate Vineyard
Clones: 777, Calera, Mt. Eden, Pommard, Swan, Wädenswil
Soil Type: Volcanic
Sustainability Certification: LIVE
Winemaker: Robert Brittan
Harvested: 9/14/2021 - 9/14/2021
Bottled: 9/20/2022
Alcohol: 12.8%
60 Bottles 750ml