North America | Oregon | Eyrie Vineyards | Dundee Hills Pinot Gris

Dundee Hills Pinot Gris

VARIETAL
Pinot Gris

NOTES
VINEYARD: Eyrie pioneered this variety in the New World and the estate's oldest vines contribute to this cuvée (the 2018 vintage is entirely estate-grown): Eyrie original vines vineyard, Sisters, and Daphne. THE EYRIE: Located at 260’-410’ elevation, and home to 17 acres of vines, this site is where the first wine grapes in the Dundee Hills were planted from cuttings that David Lett brought to Oregon in 1965. SISTERS: Planted in 1989 and originally named after the three Pinot Sisters: Pinot Noir, Blanc, and Gris, this 21 acre site now hosts 8 varieties and is used as Eyrie's station for exploring new rootstocks, varieties, and clones. DAPHNE: Situated at almost 900 ft., the 12.5 acre Daphne Vineyard, named in honor of a dear friend, is one of the oldest (planted 1974-1984) and highest plantings in the Dundee Hills. The grapes face unique climate challenges, resulting in intense flavors.

VINIFICATION: Eyrie takes a slow approach—their Pinot Gris ages 3-4 times longer than most commercial versions, in stainless steel and on its natural yeast lees (11 months for the 2018) and in the company of full malolactic. The result is textural suppleness to complement the acidity, and a surprising ability to age. (Recent tastings of 1977, 1983, 1989, and 1991 all showed continue to show amazing freshness.) 3100 cases produced

TASTING NOTES: 2018 started with a warm spring, then cooled after mid-June. Summer was dry with a record 90 days without rain. Days remained cool in spite of the dry weather, with reliable nighttime cooling drops of 25-30º. Due to good conditions during bloom, crop yields were modest but healthy. The timing of bloom was almost perfect, setting up a late September harvest. By the time picking began, the seasonal average temperatures were actually very close to the thirty year average. The winemaking team managed ferments more lightly than usual and also pressed lightly to encourage finesse from a dry year.