Beaux Freres Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

The Beaux Frères Vineyard is located on an 88-acre farm atop Ribbon Ridge near Newberg (Yamhill County, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA). Tall and stately Douglas fir trees cover nearly 50 acres of the farm, with homestead and winery buildings occupying another 8 acres. The vineyard is situated on 30 acres (24 of which are planted) of steep, contiguous southeast, south and southwest facing hillsides of Willakenzie soils at elevations of around 400 feet. Planting began in 1988 with tightly planted Pinot Noir vines spaced at a density of about 2200 plants to the acre. The oldest vines in the vineyard are now a seasoned 31 years of age, and the vineyard as a whole is a mixture of their own-rooted Pommard and Wädenswil clones and younger Dijon clones on phylloxera-resistant rootstocks.

The Upper Terrace Vineyard, just north and a bit higher elevation from Beaux Frères Vineyard, was first planted in 2000. It is comprised of Dijon clones of Pinot Noir covering about 9 acres of the 40 acre site – the rest densely forested and lush with flora and fauna. This cuvee features fruit grown on select vineyard sites in the Northern Willamette Valley. It is very savory, plush, with medium acidity. Tasting notes of sour cherry, pomegranate, dried herbs, tart plum, beef bouillon. 

The Beaux Frères story began in 1986 when Michael G. Etzel, then a wine salesman in Colorado Springs, embarked on a road trip to Oregon with his young family after reading an enticing review of an ‘83 Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. They took a whimsical detour to check out a foreclosed 88-acre pig farm about 20 minutes from their destination and, upon seeing the idyllic hillside, cute little bungalow, and lush pasture at the top of the dirt road, began to wonder: Could a quiet, wholesome farm life growing grapes for the blossoming local wine scene be possible? With an investment from Michael’s sister Pat and her husband, wine critic Robert Parker Jr., the dream began to take shape. (The name Beaux Frères refers to the French idiom for “brother in law.”)

They moved to the farm the following summer, three little boys in tow, and Michael began his focused pursuit as a vineyard manager by planting only Pinot Noir and slowly transforming the farm into their jewel. At the crest of the property, planting began in 1988 with five acres of vines tightly spaced at a density of about 2,200 plants to the acre. While planting his The Beaux Frères Vineyard, Michael worked four harvests at Ponzi Winery. In 1990, he harvested his first crop and sold the grapes, except enough to make one barrel, to winemakers Ken Wright and Dick Ponzi.

In 1991, renovation of the main barn made way for Beaux Frères Winery and the first estate vintages of The Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir followed soon after. Nestled in the Willamette Valley’s Ribbon Ridge viticultural area (est. 2005) near Newberg, Oregon, the property remains a perfect fit as a new generation, led by winemaker Mike D. Etzel (Michael’s middle son), takes responsibility for stewarding the land and crafting the wines.

In the spring of 2017, this second-generation winery began a new partnership with eighth-generation French family-owned Maisons & Domaines Henriot. This new partnership has been inspired by the authenticity, integrity, and character of the vineyard and winery. In addition to his partial-ownership, Michael’s role in guiding vineyard, winery, and administrative operations continues, as does the role of his son, Mike D. Etzel, as Winemaker. The Etzel family believes they are in a better position than ever to create world-class wines of truly unique character and complexity.