2016 Freja Cellars "Estate" Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

A Burgundian-esque Pinot from 2015 (!!) care of a Greek winemaker in Oregon!? Who’d a thunk it? First a chemical engineer, but after exploring Burgundy’s Côte d’Or, Willy Gianopulos, fueled by a passion for Pinot Noir (who doesn’t have this passion?) and a long familial winemaking history in Greece’s Peloponnese, secured his own piece of land in Oregon of all places. He planted the first vines in 1988, perched on a steep slope, rooted in Chehalem’s special “Laurelwood series” soil – aka a deep, well-drained clayey loam that sits above fragmented basalt. Aged in a blend of Oregon, Hungarian and French barrels for 11 months, before being bottle aged for a few years (try 7!) to emerge beautifully complexed and fully formed. Cottage by a river, leather armchair, charcoal rubbed in earth, smoked button mushrooms, sandalwood soda, rose chocolate, sour plum acidity, bramble caught on your shirt & catnip mint. 

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

William A. Gianopulos became interested in wine and grape growing while completing a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering in Stockholm, Sweden. During his three year residence in  Europe, a visit to Burgundy’s famed Cote D’Or region was the catalyst for the intense interest and passion for Pinot Noir wines. His relatives have been growing grapes and making wine for generations in the mountainous Greek Peloponnese region. Willy was raised in Woodstock, N.Y during the 1960/70s among prominent artists, musicians, poets and writers. It left an imprint of creative artistry, another key ingredient to fine winemaking.  The vineyard was established in 1988 and the winery was operational in 1998.