Tickets on sale for the 23rd annual IPNC held July 24-26, 2009 We are thrilled to be one of 60 featured wineries at the 23rd annual International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) in McMinnville, Oregon. Regarded by wine and food luminaries as "one of the most enjoyable wine weekends in existence,” the IPNC is an irresistible event for foodies and Pinot devotees. Join us, along with Master of Ceremonies Jancis Robinson, and famed winemaker François Millet of Burgundy’s historic Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé, for a memorable weekend of tasting, dining, learning and celebrating with over 60 of the world’s premier Pinot noir producers and over 50 outstanding Northwest chefs. Tickets on sale now! To register, please visit www.ipnc.org or call the IPNC office at 800.775.IPNC.
The 2006 Laurène Aerial Release Party has been confirmed for Saturday, August 22. We’ll meet at 6am in Newberg, to be aloft no later than 6:30 am. Each balloon will have magnums of 2006 Laurène, and a friendly face from DDO. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy breakfast together. There are only 39 spots available, and the cost is $160/person. Please call (503-864-2700) or email (ashley@domainedrouhin.com) to reserve a spot while they last.
Tanner Creek Energy announced today the completion of a 94.5 kilowatt (kW) solar energy system at Domaine Drouhin Oregon, the famed winery in Oregon's Dundee Hills (Willamette Valley). The 94.5kW ground-mounted system is currently the Oregon wine industry's largest solar panel system. Tanner Creek Energy, the most experienced supplier of solar energy systems to the Oregon wine industry, designed and installed the system, which consists of over 500 state-of-the-art Photovoltaic (PV) panels. Despite its size, the Southwest-facing system integrates well into the estate's vineyard landscape. Phillippe Drouhin, a fourth generation member of the esteemed Drouhin Family of Burgundy, was the driving force behind the winery's commitment to the project. Responsible for the family's estate viticulture in Burgundy and Oregon, Philippe embraces environmentally-friendly business practice on both sides of the Atlantic. According to David Millman, Domaine Drouhin Oregon's Managing Director, "We chose Tanner Creek because of their excellent previous work and their effort to have this make sense for a winery, both financially and in terms of our relationship to the land and environment. We also appreciated their help in handling the various administrative hurdles along the way. Perhaps most important was their determination to keep the project elements local to Oregon and their demonstrated commitment to the Oregon wine industry." Tanner Creek Energy has successfully completed nearly 500kW of solar energy systems in Oregon and the company is one of the largest developers of solar energy systems in the state. Alan Hickenbottom, founder of Tanner Creek, said, "The Drouhin Family has inspired many people through their wine, and we think their commitment to renewable energy will be viewed as equally inspirational. We couldn't ask for better partners in a project."
The 2005 Pinot Noir Laurène and 2007 Chardonnay Arthur are now available! The 2005 Laurène is a classic. Though always well-received, the 2005 Laurène has received more pre-release accolades than any of our wines in recent memory. We rarely trumpet scores, but we are happy to mention that the wine has already received 93pts from the Wine Advocate, 92 pts from both Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar and Wine & Spirits Magazine. The 2007 Chardonnay Arthur is, as Arthur tends to be, a delight. This year, the wine took a slower, more deliberate path during fermentation, but it has certainly achieved the completeness we strive for. Fresh, with sensational acidity and lift, the 2007 Arthur emphasizes the signature floral aromatics and palate presence that has earned it so much attention in recent years. Both will be welcome additions to your cellar!
We hope that you can join us at this year’s three city Wine Spectator Grand Tour in Atlantic City, Chicago and Las Vegas. Tickets are $200 and may be ordered online: http://www.winespectator.com/GrandTour/WSgrandtour.html Saturday, May 9, 2009, 7 to 10pm Borgata, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 7 to 10pm Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago Saturday, May 16, 2009, 7 to 10pm The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas
Please join us in the cellars here at DDO as we celebrate the release of the 2006 Pinot Noir Cuvée Louise, on Saturday, May 16, from 12-3 pm. A spectacular wine, the 2006 Louise is everything our Pinot Noir can promise, and more. Many of you have already received or picked up your allocation, but we imagine few have had a chance to open a bottle, and that's what this party is: an opportunity to try our most limited Pinot Noir release with your friends from DDO. This is the one event of the year where DDO Direct members are invited to taste and enjoy the new Louise release. As a reminder, this event is open to members only. If you can join us, please RSVP to Ashley Bell, if you haven't done so already. Ashley@domainedrouhin.com
February: 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Credit Cards will be billed the week of February 16th and shipments will be sent via 2Day Air on February 23. March: 2006 Pinot Noir Cuvee Louise Drouhin Credit Cards will be billed the week of March 23 and shipments will be sent via 2Day Air on March 30. Fall 2009: 2008 Chardonnay Arthur & 2006 Pinot Noir Laurene Shipments will be sent when the temperatures cool down on one of the three following dates: October 19, November 9 or December 7. More details are coming soon.
We are pleased to announce the release of our 2006 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, a wine of beauty, depth and classic Pinot proportions. Built along the lines of the 2004, the ’06 is both inviting and serious – a wine that will age well (as all of our wines do) but is already a pleasure to drink. $45/Bottle, Save 10% on a case OR $23/Half-Bottle, $90/Magnum & $200/Jeroboam The 2006 Vintage: 2006 is a vintage that Oregon vintners look upon fondly. After the smaller 2004 and 2005 harvests, a warm but mild growing season led to an easy harvest of exceptional quality and generous yields. In the cellar, our Pinot Noir moved gently through fermentation, always showing off the soft, pretty nature of the vintage. Resembling the wonderful wines of the 2004 vintage, the 2006’s trade a touch of elegance for a bit more power, but never does the balance waver. Véronique’s Tasting Notes: I find the 2006 very easy to love. It is pretty and charming and graceful, like the 2004, but with a slightly more masculine character. On the nose, the wine is full of bright cherry and intense small red berry notes, with a hint of spice. The mouth feel is lush and round, and very balanced, as is the elegant, long finish. It is a wine to enjoy now, or any time over the next 6-12 years.
We’re teaming up with our friends at Scott Paul Wines/Imports for two special flights at Oregon Wines on Broadway on Thursday, April 9th from 5-8 p.m.! Domaine Drouhin Oregon Flight: $15 2007 DDO Chardonnay Arthur 2006 DDO Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2005 DDO Pinot Noir Laurène Scott Paul Wines/Imports Flight: $15 Domaine Marc Chauvet Champagne 2006 Scott Paul La Paulée Pinot Noir 2007 Scott Paul Audrey Pinot Noir (pre-release offering) 2006 Domaine Taupenot-Merme Chambolle Musigny If you love Oregon wines and haven’t checked out Kate’s shop in downtown Portland, this would be a great opportunity. www.oregonwinesonbroadway.com We hope that you can join us!
We invite you to join Laurent Drouhin for dinner at Spruce restaurant in San Francisco on Tuesday, February 24. The dinner will highlight the wines from Domaine Drouhin Oregon and Maison Joseph Drouhin. The price of this dinner is $130 per person exclusive of tax and gratuity. Please call 415.931.5100 to make a reservation. Spruce 3640 Sacramento Street 415-931-5100 www.sprucesf.com
Saturday, February 14 11am – 3pm Please join us for our favorite day in February, as we celebrate our loved ones (people and wines). As always, we’ll pour Drouhin wines from Oregon and Burgundy – a perfect opportunity to enjoy the family’s personal vision for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. $20 per person, includes etched Riedel glass and a selection of accompaniments. DDO Direct members receive complimentary entrance for 4. For more information and to RSVP call 503-864-2700, or email info@domainedrouhin.com
Our Tasting Room is open Wednesday-Sunday from 11 to 4 year round. We will, however, close for the holidays from December 24 through January 1st this year. The last day to taste with us in 2008 is on Sunday, December 21. We will resume our regular Tasting Room schedule in 2009 on Friday, January 2nd. Happy Holidays!
Our last day to ship wine in 2008 is Tuesday, December 16. Orders placed December 15 - January 5 will be held and shipped on Tuesday, January 6th. If you have any questions, please contact us directly at 503-864-2700. Please note that DDO will be closed between December 24 and January 1. We will respond to any inquiries on Friday, January 2nd. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
"The 2005 Laurène has just been released, and I don’t feel the least hesitation in declaring this one of the finest Oregon pinot noirs yet made." Matt Kramer: The Oregonian, Oct. 12, 2008 "It’s an exemplar of the 2005 vintage, which created some of Oregon’s most austere, potentially long-lived and detailed pinot noirs. Laurène 2005, one of the last-released among the 2005s, captures the style and depth of this exceptional vintage. Dense, rich, buttoned-down yet still delivering surprising breadth of flavor right now, the 2005 Laurène offers strong notes of game and leather (the effect of the Pommard clone of pinot noir that makes up about one-third of the blend), along with spices and an invigorating, faintly medicinal note. All of that is buoyed by an intense, dimensional wild cherry savor, among other classic berryish pinot noir flavor notes. Experience reveals that Laurène will do nothing but improve -- and considerably so -- over the next decade. This is surely so with a vintage like 2005. Is it worth the $65 asking price? In a word: absolutely. (Distributor is Young’s Columbia.) Worth noting: Relatively few Oregon pinot noirs are offered in what are known as “large formats,” which is collector talk for oversize bottles. Domaine Drouhin Oregon is one of the few to regularly offer these large formats. Apart from theatrics -- and there’s no doubting that bringing a magnum to the table rather than two regular-size (750 milliliter) bottles makes an impact -- do large-format bottlings make any difference? The answer is “yes.” Wines do seem to age slower and longer in big bottles. Collectors buy them because they bring higher prices at auction. Others like them because they say “special occasion” like nothing else. Laurène 2005 is available in magnums (1.5 liters) for $150 and jeroboams (3 liters) for $325."
Also, we're getting many questions about the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, and once again we'll be closed to allow us to spend time with our families. That said, we will be absolutely delighted if you can join us on the pre-Thanksgiving Saturday, November 22, between 12pm and 3pm. The cost is $20/person, which includes a Riedel Oregon Pinot Noir glass and a tasting of our current releases. Classique and Mid members each receive two complimentary admissions and Plus members receive four complimentary admission to this event.
We're pleased to announce our annual harvest event, which is scheduled for Sunday, October 26th, from 12pm - 3pm. Because of this year's later harvest, it was impossible to confirm this event until now, but we know you'll enjoy the chance to discuss the 2008 vintage with winemaker Véronique Drouhin-Boss, as well as ask her about our new releases, the 2005 Pinot Noir Laurène and 2007 Chardonnay Arthur. Classique and Mid members each receive two complimentary admissions and Plus members receive four complimentary admission to this event; additional guests are $20/person and must be booked in advance. We kindly ask you to email us, ddoclub@domainedrouhin.com, with an RSVP if you plan to join us for the celebration.
July 25-27, 2008 Since 1987, the IPNC has flying the flag for Pinot Noir, bringing enthusiasts from around the world to McMinnville, OR to enjoy this magical grape. We can tell you that the program for this year’s event is sensational, we’re very much looking forward to pouring our wines, and we can’t wait to welcome you to our corner of the world. Visit www.ipnc.org for more details.
April 29 and May 3, 2008 We’re very pleased to have been invited once again to participate in the Wine Spectator’s traveling celebration of the world’s best wines. If you haven’t been – treat yourself. Click here for more details: http://www.winespectator.com/GrandTour/WSgrandtour.html
The DHWA Presents: The Dundee Hills Wine Experience at the OHSU Center for Health and Healing on Thursday, June 12 from 6PM - 8:30PM Tickets: $65 We invite you to meet with Dundee Hills winemakers, winegrowers and retailers while you taste over 40 wines from the birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir and sample cuisine from the Dundee Bistro. The event includes a silent auction to benefit Salud!, your own Riedel Oregon Pinot Noir glass and a tram ride on the newest addition to Portland's skyline. Visit www.dundeehills.org to purchase tickets and for more information.
April 19 and 20, 2008 Once a year, the wineries and vineyards of the Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association collectively open their tours and invite wine lovers to come find out what makes the Dundee Hills AVA so special. More information will be available shortly at http://dundeehills.org/passport.htm
Feb. 25 - March 2, 2008 One of the most celebrated and largest events in the Northwest, the “Playhouse” takes over gorgeous Vancouver for a non-stop extravaganza of amazing wines from around the world. Click here for more details: http://www.playhousewinefest.com
Feb. 21-24, 2008 Véronique and Laurent Drouhin will participate in the 2008 South Beach Food & Wine Festival, which has quickly become one of the premier events in the US. Véronique will also take part in the D’Vine Divas dinners, which brings together top female chefs and winemakers in an over-the-top extravaganza. For more information, click: http://www.sobewineandfoodfest.com/2008/index.php
March 1, 2008 The legendary NYC bacchanalia comes to San Francisco for the kind of epic event that only Daniel Johnnes could pull together. Véronique Drouhin will represent Maison Joseph Drouhin, and for the lucky few who are able to wrangle tickets, this will be something to remember for a very long time. http://danieljohnnes.com/index.html
Love & Pinot Noir - A Match Made In Heaven! When: Saturday, February 9, 11am to 3pm $20/per person Please join us for our favorite day in February, as we celebrate our loved ones (people and wines). As always, we’ll pour Drouhin wines from Oregon and Burgundy - a perfect opportunity to enjoy the family’s personal vision for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. $20 entrance fee includes an etched Riedel Oregon Pinot Noir glass and a selection of accompaniments. DDO Direct members receive complimentary entrance for 2. For more information, call 503-864-2700, or email Ashley@domainedrouhin.com
At long last, Fall is here. The changing colors are magical, as is the sense of connection one feels to the vines. Having watched these incredible plants progress from budbreak to flowering to veraison to full maturity, one can’t help but feel that they’ve earned the right to sleep for a while. Harvest 2007 will be long remembered as a vintage that demanded excellence from both the vineyard manager and the winemaker. Not that one ever gets a chance to ‘relax,’ but 2007 was more punishing to those who weren’t at the top of their game all year long. In the end, the extraordinary condition of our vineyards gave us the luxury of waiting for the right moment to pick each block. Over the course of nearly four weeks, we planned our moves, literally one day at a time. Exhausting, but necessary. Now, all of our Pinot Noir has been pressed and is safely in barrel. The emerging portrait of 2007 is fascinating, and clearly delicious. Stay tuned for more detail as it unfolds.