Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir

Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir is a 750ml, 14% ABV Willamette Valley Pinot Noir grown in Oregon's Dundee Hills AVA from some of the region's oldest vines. The 2019 vintage earned 98 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, affirming Eyrie's standing as one of Oregon's most historically significant and critically acclaimed producers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Dundee Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon  |  100% Pinot Noir  |  Winery: The Eyrie Vineyards, McMinnville, OR

Production & Heritage

The Eyrie Vineyards traces its origins to the mid-1960s, when founder David Lett planted the first Pinot Noir vines in the Willamette Valley — and the first Pinot Gris in the United States. The estate's historic significance was sealed in 1979 when the 1975 Eyrie Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir placed in the top ten at the Wine Olympics in Paris, and then finished second in a 1980 rematch organized by Burgundy producers. Today the wine is still fermented with wild yeast, a deliberate choice that allows the vineyard's unique site character to drive the finished wine rather than commercial yeast strains. These original-vine plantings in the Dundee Hills give the wine a pedigree unmatched in Oregon winemaking.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with gently crushed cranberries and blackberries before moving into more complex layers of orange peel, mushroom powder, pipe tobacco, and streaks of flint. Dried lavender, rosemary, and a delicate rose note add further dimension.

Taste: On entry, the palate is soft and juicy, with concentrated wild berry fruit taking center stage. At mid-palate, savory elements emerge — forest floor, olive, and earthy peat moss — interwoven with black tea and red currant acidity. The wine is medium-bodied but loaded with detail, each sip revealing additional strata of citrus, hay, and iron.

Finish: The finish is lingering and finely textured, with coffee, dried spice, and a subtle musk trailing off. A thread of bright acidity keeps the close fresh and energetic rather than heavy.

How to Drink Eyrie Pinot Noir

Serve at cellar temperature, around 55–60°F, in a wide-bowled Burgundy glass to let the aromatic complexity unfold fully. This is a wine built for the table rather than the cocktail shaker. Pair it alongside roasted duck breast, where its earthy berry character mirrors the richness of the meat. Wild mushroom risotto draws out the wine's forest-floor and savory olive notes beautifully. Grilled salmon with a light herb crust echoes the wine's herbal rosemary and lavender nuances without overpowering the delicate fruit.

Best For

• Gifting a serious wine collector who values Oregon Pinot Noir history
• Anchoring a multi-vintage Willamette Valley tasting alongside reserve bottlings
• Pairing with a refined autumn dinner featuring game, mushrooms, or root vegetables
• Celebrating a milestone with a bottle that carries genuine viticultural legacy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Eyrie Pinot Noir taste like? Eyrie Pinot Noir delivers concentrated wild berry fruit — cranberry, blackberry, red currant — layered with earthy forest floor, mushroom, black tea, and dried spice. The medium-bodied palate is juicy yet detailed, finishing with coffee, citrus, and lingering musk.

How does Eyrie Pinot Noir compare to Adelsheim Pinot Noir? Both Eyrie and Adelsheim are pioneering Willamette Valley producers who helped prove Oregon could make world-class Pinot Noir. Eyrie leans toward a more Old World, earth-driven profile thanks to its original-vine plantings and wild yeast fermentation, while Adelsheim tends to emphasize bright, polished fruit with a slightly more modern style.

Is Eyrie Pinot Noir good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the layered aromatics, medium body, and fine acidity make it an engaging wine to drink neat at cellar temperature. It rewards slow, attentive sipping and evolves meaningfully as it opens in the glass.

Where is Eyrie Pinot Noir made? Eyrie Pinot Noir is produced by The Eyrie Vineyards, located in McMinnville, Oregon, from estate fruit grown in the Dundee Hills AVA within the Willamette Valley. The vineyard sites include some of the oldest Pinot Noir plantings in the entire region, dating to the mid-1960s.

What foods pair well with Eyrie Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast highlights the wine's berry and earthy depth. Wild mushroom dishes amplify its forest-floor character. Grilled salmon with herbs mirrors the lavender and rosemary notes. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese complement the savory, umami-rich undertones. Braised lamb shanks with root vegetables match the wine's medium-bodied structure and spice-laced finish.

What sizes does Eyrie Pinot Noir come in? The standard release is available in 750ml bottles.

Is Eyrie Pinot Noir worth the price? Eyrie Pinot Noir positions in the premium tier for Willamette Valley wines, and its price reflects both consistently high critical scores — including 98 points from The Wine Advocate — and a historic pedigree as the original Pinot Noir of Oregon. For collectors and enthusiasts who value provenance alongside quality, it represents strong value within its class.

Why Eyrie Pinot Noir?

No other Willamette Valley producer can claim Eyrie's founding role: David Lett's mid-1960s plantings literally introduced Pinot Noir to Oregon. The 1975 Reserve's performance against top Burgundies at the 1979 Wine Olympics and the subsequent 1980 rematch put Oregon on the global wine map in a way that still resonates today. Modern vintages continue to earn elite-level scores — 98 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 96 from James Suckling for the 2019 vintage alone. Wild yeast fermentation and those irreplaceable original vines produce a Pinot Noir that stands apart from the rest of the valley: more restrained, more layered, and unmistakably rooted in place.