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Erath Winery
– Dundee Hills, Oregon

“A pearl along the 45th latitude – that imaginary line that encircles the globe, stringing together such legendary northern wine regions as France’s Côtes du Rhône and Italy’s Piedmont.” “By 1972, Erath had produced his first commercial wine of 216 cases – the first official wine production in the Dundee Hills!”

The Monthly Selection

2007 Oregon Pinot Noir 

Winemaker’s Notes: “Bright cherry and juicy red plum aromas are lifted by a hint of exotic, zesty spice. The sweet entry leads to mouth-filling cherry pie, red currant and vanilla-coffee flavors that extend into a subtle smokiness and a long, luxurious finish. Ruby transparency is only the beginning of the quintessential Pinot experience. The nose reveals delicate aromas of orchard cherries, fresh violet, perhaps herbal tea. Silky, soft fruit whets the palate, whispering of freshness, brightness and refined balance. Never bigger or bolder than the food it is destined to accompany, ERATH is classic Pinot: light, delicate and fruit-forward.”

“This refreshingly delicate wine has a lean rosy scent over bright red cherry fruit, its red plum flavor garnished with the flavors of fines herbs, and the wine has a delightful acidity to lift its mildly herbal finish. 89 points – “Year's Best Pinot Noir and Best Buy” – Wine & Spirits Magazine “This value-priced Pinot combines genuine Pinot Noir varietal character, with a restrained elegance more typical of Burgundy than Oregon. Tart red fruits, orange peel, exceptional acid, and a buoyant, food-friendly balance keeps it lively through the finish. It is a lovely match for salmon, among many other choices.” 87 points – Wine Enthusiast  “Light and crisp, with currant and floral aromas and flavors.” 88 points “Top Value” – Wine Spectator
Regular Price $17.99 Web Special $12.99

2008 Oregon Pinot Gris 

Winemaker’s notes: "Swirl this glass of sunshine, and invoke bright fresh aromas of banana and honeydew melon. Savor the tropical fruit, the lemon and floral notes that are seamlessly balanced with a clean lift of acidity, enlivening the palate and encouraging a gratifying length of flavors." “A lithe white, flashing with peach, clove and melon flavors that sing easily on the lilting finish.” 89 Points – Wine Spectator “Erath is now part of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio. The white wines, which have long been a strength of the brand, remain fresh and lightly fruity. The flavors of this young Pinot Gris suggest pear skin, grapefruit and lime, and there are bracing acids providing additional lift.” 87 Points – Wine Enthusiast
Regular Price $10.99 Web Special $8.99

The Erath Story

The 1960s ushered in an era of winemaking pioneers and adventurists in Oregon. A yet undiscovered pearl along the 45th latitude – that imaginary line that encircles the globe, stringing together such legendary northern wine regions as France’s Côtes du Rhône and Italy’s Piedmont – Oregon’s Willamette Valley lured a few young winemaking mavericks – among them, Dick Erath. Undeterred by the region’s cool climate, and the extreme challenges of raising Pinot Noir, he and a small band of visionary viticulturists sought the ideal home for Burgundian grapes, most notably Pinot Noir. The region showed striking similarities to France’s Burgundy. As one journalist noted, “… Oregon winemakers have wrestled the grape into a wine that is often less flamboyant, less obvious than its California counterpart…a good Oregon pinot, even a light one, can be nuanced and subtle, demanding some serious thought, even concentration on the drinker’s part.”

Years before Erath and the others, Oregon Pinot noir pioneer David Lett, of Eyrie Vineyards, first planted Pinot Noir in 1965, and several other growers followed suit throughout the 1970s. In 1979, Lett took his wines to a competition in Paris, known in English as the Wine Olympics, and they placed third among some very famous French Burgundies. Then, in a 1980 “rematch” arranged by French wine magnate Robert Drouhin, the Eyrie wine improved to second place! The competition – embarrassing to the French – instantly put Oregon on the map as a world class Pinot Noir producing region. Such an impression had been made by these and subsequent tastings, that several famous French Burgundy Houses – among them Drouhin himself – began to transplant themselves to Oregon!

Erath wines are an expression of the land that the winery has cultivated for more than 40 years, longer than any other winery in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. The red, iron-rich Jory soils, combined with gentle breezes and warming sunshine of a marine climate, have bestowed upon Dundee a terroir of note. It has given rise to the handcrafting phenomenon, and the art of Pinot. As one of Oregon’s wine pioneers, Dick Erath had always been as tenacious in his approach to Pinot as the Pinot grape is stubborn. The engineer-turned-viticulturist was first inspired to pursue winemaking in 1965 after an early garage experiment. After completing coursework at UC-Davis in 1968, Erath relocated his family from California to the untamed red hills of Dundee. An unheated logger’s cabin on 49 acres would serve as home – and ad hoc winery – for several years.

The following spring, he planted the Dundee Hill’s first wine grapes – 23 varieties. Pinot Noir flourished. By 1972, Erath had produced his first commercial wine of 216 cases – the first official wine production in the Dundee Hills. Enchanted with French varietals, he soon began testing non-California clones and was instrumental in importing French clones to Oregon in 1974. In 1976, Erath broke ground on the first winery in the Dundee Hills. Early successes, including the 1982 Pinot Noir vintage, inspired leading winemakers to move to Oregon to forge their own path in this special place.

February 2010 SPECIAL FEATURES

Erath Winery – Dundee, Oregon
• 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir
• 2008 Oregon Pinot Gris