Winemaker Isabelle Meunier

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A native of Quebec, Isabelle studied winemaking and viticulture at the University of Dijon and in New Zealand at Lincoln University before cutting her winemaking teeth in Burgundy, under the watch of fellow French-Canadian Pascal Marchand at Domaine de la Vougeraie, and at New Zealand’s Felton Road, with Blair Walter.

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Marchand recommended her to Dominique Lafon to oversee winemaking at his then-new Oregon consulting project, Evening Land, in 2007. Isabelle quickly became one of Oregon’s most acclaimed winemakers. Her wines were selected for the Wine Spectator Top 100 wines of the Year from 2009 through 2015, including producing the highest rated Oregon Pinot Noir and highest rated Oregon Chardonnay ever, culminating in WS recognizing her 2012 ‘La Source’ Pinot Noir as the #3 wine in the world in 2015.

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Recognition for her wines has continued with the inaugural release of LAVINEA’s 2014 vintage. Josh Raynolds of VINOUS recently proclaimed “…I’m betting that LAVINEA will, in short order, be widely considered among Oregon’s elite producers.”

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Co-Founder Greg Ralston

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For over 25 years Greg has provided valued guidance and leadership to wine producers who possess profound respect for terroir and are benchmarks in their regions. From 1988 to 2009 Greg worked closely with Jim Barrett at Chateau Montelena Winery, the last ten years as Managing Director. He then took on a role as Sr. VP of Strategic Initiatives with Wilson Daniels, collaborating with Jack Daniels and renowned Estates such as Castello di Volpaia and Ceretto from Italy, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Domaine Leflaive from Burgundy, Schramsberg from Napa Valley among others. Recruited to become President & CEO of Evening Land Vineyards in 2012, Greg oversaw related wineries in California, Burgundy and Oregon. It was during this period, working with Isabelle, that they produced some of Oregon’s most highly acclaimed Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Greg is passionate about creating and sharing wines of unique distinction and advancing the conversation to enhance the Willamette Valley’s stature in the world of fine wine.

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WHITES

Lavinea Eola Amity Hills Chardonnay 

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Aged 10 months in first and second fill French oak, the aromas offer notes of toast, passion fruit, and kiwi, in some respects more reminiscent of a Pinot Gris than Chardonnay. Medium-bodied sharply-etched citrus and tropical fruit flavors follow. Lively acidity and mineral notes run throughout. It’s a fascinating offering of the variety, drinking best on the warmer end of the 55-60 degree scale. Pair it with grilled halibut that’s topped with a lemon beurre blanc.

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Lavinea Elton Chardonnay 

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Spritely and vibrant, the 2021 Chardonnay Elton Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1993 and pours a bright medium straw hue. Lifted notes of lemon-lime citrus zest, crushed stones, and green apple are followed by a focused white with a balanced, ripe core within a linear and medium frame. Rounded with a delicate lacy and custardy texture and fresh notes of salted citrus lift on the finish, it’s attractive now but will be great to hold on to and drink over the coming 10 years. 

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Lavinea Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir

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Dynamic and deeply structured, this red retains a sense of grace. Multilayered flavors of cherry and cranberry are laced with fresh violet and forest floor accents that persist toward steely tannins. Drink now through 2032. 

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Lavinea Elton Pinot Noir

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Elton Vineyard is decidedly dark and mineral in character, blending crushed ashen stones with black olive nuances, wilted violets, hints of cola and crushed wild strawberries. Silky textures are contrasted by tart wild berry depths and saline-tinged acidity, saturating and enlivening the palate. A fantastic rendition of Elton Vineyard.

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Lavinea Tualatin Pinot Noir

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Tualatin Estate is more savory than sweet, with a vivid whiff of rose petals giving way to black raspberries infused by incense and exotic spice depths. This is round and voluptuous yet beautifully balanced. Zesty citrus spikes crunchy red berry fruits and saline mineral tones, building a steady tension toward the close. This finishes potent and long, staining the palate with tart wild berries as a residual bump of acidity provides amazing freshness. The Tualatin Estate is structured yet full of energy.

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Lavinea Temperance Pinot Noir

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From a certified organic, high-quality site, the Temperance Hill Vineyard pours a deeper jeweled ruby with purple tinge. It will also certainly do well to decant if opening any time soon, but it quickly blows off to reveal a gorgeous spectrum of aromas including kirsch, lavender, clove and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, with a weightless feel and a velvety texture, it offers pillowy tannins and fresh balanced acidity. This exceptional and harmonious red is a fantastic counterpoint to the Tualatin Estate Vineyard bottling.

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Lavinea Nysa Pinot Noir

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Once again, I was struck by the poise and focus of lsabelle Meunier’s Pinot Noirs. Her wines are built to age but are not forbidding nor strict. 

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