Our Wine

Our highly rated Pinot Noirs are crafted with a low intervention approach and focus on showcasing the more complex acids and tannins that can be attained by a long natural yeast producing process that averages 40 days in fermentation and 22 months in barrels. This results in an unfined, unfiltered Pinot Noir that is mature and well balanced.

A Special Place

The vineyard and tasting room is situated in the Chehalem Valley on the Ribbon Ridge AVA, home of the absolute finest Pinot Noir producers in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The only AVA that is comprised predominately of mineral rich Marine sediment, Ribbon Ridge is protected by the Chehalem Mountains, a larger land mass that shields our vines from any extreme climate conditions. This protection contributes to higher minimum and maximum daily temperature ranges during the growing season, thus providing lower precipitation levels as compared to surrounding regions. 

Ribbon Ridge also enjoys an earlier growing season with less heat spikes and lower nighttime fluctuations in temperatures. All of these factors add up to excellent acid retention and added complexity in our grapes. 

History

Claygate, the original family name, (now Clagett) dates back to 1086 and was first recorded by the Normans who then ruled England, in what was known as the Dooms Day Census. The family crest now adorns all of the Claygate Vineyard Estate labels. 

This once homestead fruit and nut farm, our vineyard is one of few in this small appellation that is nestled like an island within the larger Chehalem and Willamette Valley AVAs. Our vineyard was planted in 2008 and our first vintage was 2011 that scored 90 points. 

Proudly, one of the smallest boutique estate vineyards in Oregon's wine country producing superb Pinot Noir.