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Roots deeply placed in Oregon's Pinot Noir Wine
One of the first wine families in the Willamette Valley, the Langes have produced extraordinary pinots from their perch in the Dundee Hills since 1987. Don and Wendy Lange and their son Jesse have built this extraordinary operation out of a pure love for the land and singular dedication to the art of winemaking.
A trailblazer in a number of respects, the Lange Winery is credited with being the fourth producer of Pinot Gris in the United States and the first to ferment that particular grape in barrel (vs. the more common stainless steel fermentation). Their portfolio has expanded to approximately 10,000 cases of wine per year, including Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Riesling (both late harvest and dry) in addition to the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Things have changed quite a bit for the Langes since their humble start in 1987. A family that once shared their home with their winery and tasting room (Jesse recalls having to high-tail it to the shower before guests started arriving for wine tasting), now has arguably the most stunning facility in the Yamhill Valley. Located on 15 acres of estate vines, the winery has a magnificent view (you can feast your eyes on Mt. Hood as you feast on the picnic you should take along to enjoy on their terrace).
The Lange Tasting Room features a flight of up to six reserve level wines for mere $5 that will redefine elegance and integrity for your palate. Another great reason to visit the Lange Winery is the incomparably hospitable and accessibly knowledgeable Gabriel Quitslund, the tasting room manager. I had actually heard tell of Gabe far before I met him and he certainly lived up to (if not exceeded) expectation. The Wine Goddess loves dry wit almost as much as dry wine - and Lange Winery boasts both.
Winemaker Don Lange's previous career as a folk musician is evident in the almost lyrical quality of the wines he produces. I was particularly entranced by the Estate Pinot Noir, specifically a sneak preview of the '03 vintage. It might have been the silky texture of the wine or the striking aromas of citrus and cardamom or the lingering notes of ripe raspberries on my tongue. Or perhaps my fascination with the wine lay in the fact that the devastatingly handsome and charismatic Jesse Lange was pouring it … the wine goddess has her priorities my friends, and wine is only one.
By Lauren GlazerFor Oregon.com
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