The Search for Site: Risk and Reward

“Grapegrowing in western Oregon is an adventure. The climate of western Oregon constitutes the risk, and also the reason, for this adventure.” – David Lett

EYRIE FOUNDER DAVID LETT was convinced that the climate of the Willamette Valley was potentially perfect for growing Pinot noir. At the tender age of 24, with a degree in viticulture, another in philosophy, and eight months of intensive research in European wine regions behind him, David Lett headed for Oregon. He left California with little more than 3000 grape cuttings and a firm conviction that Oregon’s Willamette Valley would be the best home for Pinot noir and Chardonnay outside of Burgundy.

On February 22 1965, David established the modern era of winegrowing in the Willamette Valley when he planted his first vines. David was soon joined by his new wife Diana, and together they planted and expanded their estate on a former orchard in the Dundee Hills. Their plantings focused on the first Pinot noir and Chardonnay in the Willamette Valley, but also the first Pinot gris commercially planted outside of Europe, and other cool climate varieties.

In planting their Dundee Hills estate, David and Diana not only identified the right climatic zone for Pinot noir, they also selected it’s most iconic soil: Jory, now Oregon’s state soil.

Jory and the closely related Nekia soils were deposited as volcanic flows 15 to 17 million years ago. Over time, the surface of the basalt mother-rock decomposed into a red soil overlaying a deep layer of rounded and eroded basalt cobble. This combination gives Jory and Nekia soils special properties that are ideal for dry-farmed vines. The soil structure allows the constant winter rains of the valley to drain readily. However, in Oregon’s very dry summers, the underground cobbles retain enough water in their cracks and crevices to support the vines without the need for irrigation.

In addition to climate and soil, elevation and location were important. David and Diana made their home on a south facing site in the Dundee Hills, with a sloped aspect sufficient to drain away damaging spring frosts. The elevation had to be high enough to access the volcanic soils of the slopes, but low enough for heat to ripen the grapes.

In hindsight the Letts' choices were remarkable. Today the Dundee Hills are the Willamette Valley’s most densely-planted, highest-value grape ground, and Pinot noir is Oregon’s leading variety. David’s convictions were borne out in the perfect combination of climate and soil for Burgundian varieties.

What to name their fledgling enterprise was another challenge. David and Diana were deeply impressed by the vibrant ecosystem surrounding their new site. Inspired by a pair of red-tailed hawks who made their nest (eyrie) in the fir trees at the top of the vineyard site, and who kept them company as they worked, it was Diana who christened their fledgling endeavor "The Eyrie". This original planting was the first of our five estate vineyards.

These five vineyards are all situated on south-facing slopes in the Dundee Hills, with plantings at varying altitudes. Click here to read more about the five estate vineyards today.