Out on Love 2020

Let’s cut to the chase here: This might be the best wine we made in 2020, and it’s from a grape that doesn’t always spring to mind for its profundity: Pinot Gris.

What elevates this from most Pinot Gris is the site—and the care that we take in making it. First and foremost, this hails from Lewman Vineyard, a magical piece of dirt in the Eola-Amity hills that sits between Bethel Heights, Justice, and Temperance Hill vineyards, in a band of some of the most coveted real estate in Oregon. Originally planted in 1992 by the late Dennis Lewman and farmed organically from the start, its a gem of a vineyard—with a mere 2/3rds of an acre planted to Pinot Gris.

The fruit was picked for brightness and verve before being fermented with native yeast in neutral barrel, where it remained for 18 months. This has real minerality and tension, balanced by the naturally seductive fruit of the variety and a touch of texture from the long elevage. Only 48 cases were bottled.