Lest the fact be skimmed over, it was Oregon's wineries that put North America on the international wine map. Back in the 70s in France, in two decisive competitions, the Eyrie Vineyards' Pinot finished in the top ten and second place, respectively. This was an upset of tremendous proportions, the international press jumped on it, and the rest is history.
David Lett, owner and winemaker at the Eyrie Vineyards, is still perfecting his Pinot. He goes against the grain, aiming for a lighter wine, not dark and heavy as is in style nowadays. The wines, including his others such as the Chardonnays, aren't over-oaked. You taste the fruit, not just the wood.
The Eyrie Vineyards, founded by David and Diana Lett in 1966, is located in the Red Hills of Dundee, about 30 miles SW of Portland. It was named for the red-tailed hawks who make their home (EYE-ree) in the fir trees at the top of the first vineyard plantings. The winery is in nearby McMinnville.
In 1975, The Eyrie Vineyards produced the first American Pinot noir to compete successfully with the renowned Pinot noirs of Burgundy. (Paris, 1979; Beaune, 1980).
Total annual production is around 10,000 cases. All wines are estate-grown and produced. In addition to handcrafted Pinot noir, Pinot gris and Chardonnay, the Eyrie Vineyards also makes limited bottlings of Pinot blanc, Pinot Meunier and Muscat Ottonel.