James Suckling Rates 2017 Pinot Noir 93 Points
About Us
Winemaker Laurent Montalieu
Laurent took his first steps in a vineyard in Medoc owned by his great grandfather, Joseph Montalieu. He grew up in Bordeaux and learned his family's deep commitment to vineyards and winemaking.
He attended the Institute of Oenology of Bordeaux, where he studied vineyard management and winemaking.
After graduating in 1987, he worked for Chateau La Tour Blanche near Sauternes, and Domaine Mumm in California's Napa Valley before moving to Oregon. After seven successful vintages at Bridgeview Vineyards in Cave Junction, Laurent joined WillaKenzie Estate in 1995 as partner and winemaker.
In 2003, he left WillaKenzie to develop his own vineyards and winery. Today, he and his wife Danielle handcraft Northwest Ridge wines at their state-of-the-art winemaking facility in Dundee, Oregon.
The Vineyards
Laurent develops Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from the Domaine Danielle Laurent vineyard and the Hyland Vineyard as well as other prime sites throughout the Willamette Valley. He also farms pristine vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Washington in the Red Mountain appellation.
Our Wines
Northwest Ridge wines are Estate Bottled and handcrafted to ensure the highest quality. Our vineyards give us the absolute highest quality grapes and the rest is up to Laurent. He uses only French Oak barrels to mature the wine. The final result is the finest representation of varietal expression available. Enjoy!