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We're very proud of our wine growers and makers. Below you can find details of who they are and why we choose to represent them here in the UK. You'll also finds links that will take you directly to their wines that we have available.
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Founded in 1983 by Oregon native Jim Bernau with the dream of creating world-class Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown into one of the region’s leading wineries. Stewardship of the land has been a key principle in the winemaking, with environmentally sustainable farming being a driving factor – WVV was part of the founding of the Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) program.
Jim’s vision of organizing wine enthusiasts to help build a world class winery in Oregon has resulted in the winery being named “One of America’s Great Pinot Noir Producers” by Wine Enthusiast.
WVV are the largest of our producers and still maintain that focus on expression.
In 1981, Jim Bernau began searching for vineyard land and in 1983 he cleared an old overgrown plum orchard in the Salem Hills to plant Pinot Noir. Unable to afford drip irrigation, he watered the vines by hand using a garden hose. Willamette Valley Vineyards had begun.
Willamette Valley
AVAs
Cases per Year
220,000
R. Stuart & Co. Winery
R. Stuart & Co make a wide range of wines for both every day and special occasions. They source fruit from a dozen different vineyards around the Willamette Valley, working with growers who care about high-quality, sustainable farming, some of which Rob Stuart has been working with for more than twenty years. Most are within 30 miles of their downtown McMinnville winery.
The variety that R. Stuart produces made them an essential part of the 99W portfolio. The Pinot Noirs offer tremendous variety but for me the star is the exceptional and unexpected Klipsun Cabernet dessert red that is just sensational.
Rob has been making wine for more than thirty years and knows how to best showcase the variety possible in Pinot Noir, with everything that he produces focusing on exploring and exposing the character of the vineyard through the fruit.
Willamette Valley
AVAs
Cases per Year
20,000
GC Wines
Since 2002 GC Wines (formerly Grouchau Cellars) have been making wines that are balanced, textured and expressive of place. Using the diversity of the Willamette Valley’s soils and microclimates, John Grochau sources fruit from organic and sustainably-farmed vineyards to create wines that are both food- friendly and great to drink on their own.
Tasting the components of John’s Melon de Bourgogne - half matured in acacia barrels, the other in concrete eggs - as he gave me a tour of his cellars had me hooked.
As a former competitive cyclist, John would race through some of France’s most esteemed areas, including Burgundy. He started making his own wine in 2002 and as well as producing classic Willamette Valley pinot noirs he is developing his style in other varietals, such as his delicious Gamay.
Willamette Valley; Dundee Hills
AVAs
Cases per Year
20,000
Ribbon Ridge Winery
Ribbon Ridge is one of the foremost vineyards in the Willamette Valley, producing cellar-worthy wines under the RR label. The fruit exhibits a level of intensity that is sought after by many a winemaker, although it takes a certain skill to bring it out the way that the RR team does. Harry Peterson-Nedry is one of the founding fathers of the Willamette and his daughter, Wynne, who now runs the winery, was raised there. Together with their small crew they are an amazing team.
You only have to spend five minutes with Harry - and I was lucky enough to spend a whole afternoon with him - to know that you need to drink his wines.
Harry started wine-making in Oregon 1980, planting up the Ribbon Ridge vineyard a couple of years later. It was the first vineyard planted on this small ridge of ocean sedimentary soils and, 25 years later, it was designated the Ribbon Ridge AVA.
Ribbon Ridge
AVAs
Cases per Year
2,000
Joyful Noise
Although easily the smallest operation in our portfolio, we had to include Joyful Noise simply because of the their focus on delicious drinkability. Each year they make a wine that is an expression of the fruit and land from one grower. They are exploring the vineyards of the Willamette one at a time, getting to know each place and tasting what it grows.
Joyful Noise presents a deceptively simple offer that is based on excellent winemaking. It is one to watch, preferably whilst supping on their glorious wine.
Deven Morganstern is a bit of a force of nature, especially sartorially. A warm and welcoming chap, he is typical of the winemakers in Oregon. The newest winemaker in our portfolio, he is a star in the making.
Yamhill-Carlton
AVAs
Cases per Year
450
Coeur de Terre Vineyard
Scott and Lisa Neal bought the Coeur de Terre site over twenty years ago and have developed a number of growing blocks, each with their own characteristics. The McMinnville AVA is to the west of the Willamette Valley area and CdT has a range of different soil types that add character to the wines. Scott even has a collection of bowls in the tasting room with samples of the local dirt - just don’t confuse them for snacks...
Coeur de Terre (CdT) offer a range of excellently crafted wines, from the richer McMinnville AVA Pinot Noirs through to an occasionally produced dessert Riesling, all farmed organically. We are offering a smaller selection at the moment, but can source others for a special order.
Scott Neal is a conversational whirlwind and a delightful one at that. Once he gets started, you just have to sit back, listen, and usually laugh along.
A lot.
McMinnville
AVAs
Cases per Year
4,000