The Eyrie Vineyards Spark NV

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chasselas, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc

Region: Willamette Valley, OR

Farming: Organic

The Eyrie Vineyards is one of the original historic wine estates in Oregon and by all accounts one of the most historic in this country. In the winter of 1965, after earning a degree in viticulture and enology from UC/Davis, and having spent time researching the vine in Europe, 25-year old David Lett moved to Oregon “with 3,000 grape cuttings and a theory”. He planted the cuttings in a rented nursery plot, and went looking for the perfect vineyard site. It was the first planting of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and related varieties in the Willamette Valley, and the first Pinot Gris in America. Eyrie Vineyards was officially founded by David and Diana Lett in 1966 when they planted their vineyards in the Red Hills of Dundee, about 30 miles SW of Portland. The Letts settled on the name Eyrie (EYE-ree) after the red-tailed hawks who make their home in the fir trees near the top of their original vineyard plantings. The winery was built in nearby McMinville and the first vintage to be produced and bottled was the 1970. This casual sparkler comes from an innovative blend of grapes. To create this wine, Jason blended vintages of Pinot noir (55%), Chasselas

doré (37%), and Pinot blanc (8%).