Eila Wines In The PRess
Reviews from respected wine critics for our 2022 vintage and inaugural 2021 vintage.
2022 EILA Chardonnay
As I mentioned last year, 2021 was the inaugural vintage of Peter Sturn’s new project called Eila Wines. His chardonnay this year was made from fruit from the Le Cadeau Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountain AVA. The grapes were foot-trodden and the wine barrel-fermented in a “one wine” French oak puncheon for nine months and then racked into stainless steel to finish its élevage. The wine is quite low octane in 2022, coming in at 12.2 percent alcohol and offering up a very pretty nose of pear, golden delicious apple, almond, a touch of iodine, lovely soil tones and a discreet touch of buttery oak. On the palate the wine is vibrant, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a good core of fruit, fine soil signature, zesty acids and a long, well-balanced and energetic finish. I really like this wine! 2024-2035+. 92 John Gilman View From the Cellar (issue #111 May-June 2024)
I loved the way this light-bodied Chardonnay smells like a combination of ozone-like post-rain petrichor and mildly smoky flint. Additional aromas of lemon and the wintergreen of fresh-chopped birch wood are mere bonuses. Yellow apples, toasted filberts, lemon and parsley dominate the palate, backed by crisp acidity. 93 Editors Choice Wine Enthusiast (October 2024 issue)
95 James Melendez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOVJJBl4eEM
2022 EILA INDIGO PINOT NOIR
2022 pinot noirs from Peter Sturn’s Eila Wines are all lovely bottles. As I mentioned last year, Peter’s plan was to give his wines “cuvée names”, as he was uncertain if he would buy fruit from the same vineyard sources each year. He was prescient, as his 2022 Indigo bottling is crafted from fruit grown at the beautiful, biodynamically-farmed Johan Vineyard in the Van Duzer Corridor this year, whereas last year, it hailed from Witness Tree Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The wine is lower octane in 2022 than was the case with its debut release last year, as the 2022 tips the scales at a svelte 12.5 percent alcohol and included forty percent whole clusters. It was raised in twenty percent new oak. The wine is deep, pure and complex on the nose, wafting from the glass in a mix of black cherries, black plums, bitter chocolate, a touch of gamebird, lovely soil tones and a nicely understated foundation of new oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and shows lovely depth of fruit at the core, with a lovely chassis of ripe tannin, tangy acids and excellent balance on the long and youthfully complex finish. This is a fine bottle in the making, but it deserves some time in the cellar to blossom before starting to pull corks in earnest. 2032- 2075.
92 John Gilman View From the Cellar (issue #111 May-June 2024)
This Pinot comes from the biodynamic Johan Vineyard in the Van Duzer Corridor and one barrel of 115 clones from the Le Cadeau vineyard in the northern Chehalem Mountains AVA. Tart tayberry aromas and wild green strawberries combine with a note of tomato leaf. The palate is lean and crisp. Tart cranberry and blood orange flavours meld with a savoury black tea and raspberry leaf finish. 2024-2030
92 Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
With acidity that smacks lips, Indigo’s mood is “juicy.” A rich cassis aroma is balanced by basil, mint, violets and pipe tobacco notes. Silky tannins provide the framework for the wine’s blackberry, white tea and nutmeg flavors. Pair this smooth operator with pork mole and any Duke Ellington record. Editors’ Choice. —M.A. abv: 12.5%
93 Editors Choice Wine Enthusiast (November 2024 issue)
94 James Melendez
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2aqKB_kqCGE
2022 EILA SCARLET PINOT NOIR
The 2022 Scarlet Pinot Noir from Eila Wines is crafted from grapes he purchased from Prophet Vineyard in Eola-Amity Hills, which is the same vineyard source that was used for the 2021 version. This year the bottling included just under forty percent whole clusters, was raised in twenty-two percent new oak and tips the scales again at 12.5 percent alcohol. The bouquet is lovely, offering up a pure and black fruity mix of sweet dark berries, black cherries, coffee bean, dark soil tones, gentle sweet stem tones, woodsmoke and just a touch of new oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, deep and beautifully proportioned, with a lovely core of fruit, good soil undertow, ripe, buried tannins and a long, seamlessly balanced and still fairly primary finish. This is a lovely pinot noir in the making, but it starts out life nicely tightly-knit and in need of some extended cellaring before it will drink with true generosity. In due course, it is going to be excellent. 2035- 2085.
92 John Gilman View From the Cellar (issue #111 May-June 2024)
The Scarlet bottling from Eila in Carlton, Oregon, is beautiful and bright. The wine comes from Prophet Vineyard in Eola-Amity Hills, grown between 250-300 metres. An array of clones, Pommard, Wadensvil, Mt Eden, Coury, and La Tache 828 and nearly 40% whole cluster fermentation bring a pop and savoury depth to the lean, bright red fruits. Aromas of dried violet, fresh wintergreen and brown spices allude to what’s to come. The palate is full of energy and life, with early-season strawberries, smoky flint, a squeeze of blood orange pulse with bright acidity, and a savoury tarragon note at the finish. 2024-2033
93 Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
Offers tension and tight focus, with slightly brooding flavors of blueberry and cherry accented by earthy mineral and dusky spice notes as this builds toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033. 207 cases made.
92 Wine Spectator (October 31, 2024 issue)
2022 EILA VIOLET PINOT NOIR
The 2022 Pinot Noir “Violet” from Eila Wines was again crafted from grapes sourced from the Le Cadeau Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. This was also the case with the fine 2021 version. Peter picked much later here in 2022 than had been the case the previous year, as these grapes were brought in on October 3rd and 7th in this vintage. The cuvée included just under a quarter whole clusters in 2022 and was raised in eighteen percent new oak. The bouquet is pure and refined, wafting from the glass in a blend of plums, dark berries, gamebird, raw cocoa, fresh thyme, dark soil tones, cedary oak and a gently smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a superb core, lovely soil inflection and grip, buried tannins and a long, well-balanced and gently meaty finish. I love the touch of sweet stem notes on the finish here, which augurs very well for its future complexity. The wine tips the scales at 12.7 percent octane this year and will be excellent, once it has had its requisite period of hibernation in the cellar. 2034-2085.
92+ John Gilman View From the Cellar (issue #111 May-June 2024)
This bottling from the Cadeau Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains appellation on the northern end of the Willamette Valley has a charming rusticity. Rich aromas of forest floor and umami-forward soils combine with a tart blackberry note. The palate shows finesse as blue fruits, smoky clove, and a clean raspberry leaf finish combine. 2024-2030
92 Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
Sleek, pretty and delicately layered, offering raspberry and cranberry flavors highlighted by rose petal and orange peel notes as this Pinot glides on the savory finish. Drink now through 2031. 270 cases made.
93 Wine Spectator (October 31, 2024 issue)
95 James Melendez
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Q9V3dPq_-D4
2021 INAUGURAL Vintage
2021 Chardonnay
This is a classy wine in an elegant style that is becoming this AVA’s Chardonnay signature. Tart, firm, compact fruit flavors display both brightness and restraint. They are swathed in juicy acids and framed with toasty new oak from a Damy puncheon. The balance is superb, as is the length and concentration from start to finish. Sourced from the Von Oehsen vineyard, this is an impressive debut for this new property.
94/100 Paul Gregutt – Northwest Wine Guide
Eila Wines is Peter Sturn’s new project in the Willamette Valley, producing small quantities of chardonnay and pinot noir. 2021 is his first vintage and his chardonnay from this year was sourced from the Van Oehsen Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The wine is barrel-fermented in older Burgundy barrels and puncheons, with the wine aged in forty-two percent new oak, from one Damy puncheon used in conjunction with the Burgundy casks. The wine tips the scales at 12.7 percent alcohol in 2021 and offers up a pretty, gently reductive nose of pear, apple, almond, iodine, lovely soil tones, apple blossoms and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied and still tightly-knit, with good depth at the core, lovely soil undertow, bouncy acids and fine focus and grip on the long and well-balanced finish. This is certainly tasty now, but there is more here to unfold if given a bit of bottle age. 2023-2035.
91+ John Gilman, View From the Cellar (issue #106 July-August 2023)
A brilliant straw color, the 2021 Chardonnay Willamette Valley offers up an elegant, medium-bodied, Chablis-like character with notes of fresh white flowers, lemon pith, gun flint, and fresh pear. The palate is soft in texture, with a refreshing, balanced feel and a clean, even finish. Drink 2023-2028
91 Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (2021 Willamette Valley and Oregon Round-up 9/19/23)
Medium lemon in colour. Neutral, stony nose with subtle green-apple and lemon aromatics. The palate has high driving acidity and a creamy texture with a whisper of vanilla. Finishing with flavours of lemon yogurt.
16 (Distinguished) Samantha Cole-Johnson, Jancis Robinson (7/3/23)
The wine’s aromatic duo of lemon verbena and chamomile is flanked by notes of toasted filberts and butter. Grilled lemon and peach flavors dominate on the palate, along with more butter and a trace of sea salt. Elevated acidity and a crackly texture make this Chardonnay a lively sip.
92 Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast (December 2023 issue)
Video Review
95 James Melendez, James The Wine Guy
2021 EILA INDIGO PINOT NOIR
This builds on Pommard clones from the Witness Tree Vineyard. It gets a bit more whole clusters (38%) and new oak (40%) than its companion Pinots, and on first blush is hard, tight and a bit inscrutable. The dark fruits, compact and nicely layered, open grudgingly over a 24 hour period. The AVA’s typically earth tannins lend some astringency to the finish. The more it breathes, the more it finds its balance.
94/100 Paul Gregutt – Northwest Wine Guide
The 2021 Pinot Noir Indigo captivates with a burst of tangerine and exotic spice before giving way to dried black cherries and savory herbs. This is round and soothing, with mineral-laced wild berries adding an almost salty savoriness. Violet pastille and hints of citrus linger as the 2021 finishes gently tannic yet energetic. Well done.
92 Eric Guido – Vinous (Sitting Pretty: Oregon’s New Release Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Beyond January 2024)
2021 are the first wines made at Peter Sturn’s Eila Wines. Peter used cellar space at Lingua Franca for winemaking and aging of these wines. Peter’s 2021 Indigo bottling was made from grapes purchased from Witness Tree Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The wine included just under forty percent whole clusters and was raised in forty percent new French oak, with the vintage tipping the scales at 13.1 percent octane. The wine offers up a lovely bouquet of black cherries, pomegranate, raw cocoa, woodsmoke, a lovely base of soil and a stylish framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied and nascently complex, with a good core of sappy fruit, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a long, well balanced and promising finish. This will need some cellaring time to soften up its backend tannins, but it will be a lovely bottle in due course. 2031-2075
91+ John Gilman, View From the Cellar (issue #106 July-August 2023)
The most brooding and ripe of the three Pinot Noirs, the 2021 Pinot Noir Indigo is an inky black-ruby and offers with notes of scorched, tarry earth, boysenberry and blue fruit, and candied violets. Full-bodied, with ripe tannins that build as the fruit dissipates, it’s packed with notes of dusty earth and meaty fruit and has a coating mouthfeel. It’s opulent and ripe, with a warming hint on the finish. Drink it over the next few years. 2023-2026
90 Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (2021 Willamette Valley and Oregon Round-up 9/19/23)
Pale ruby with a purple hue. Lactic and black-fruited with black cherry and plum. It’s very structured and grippy for a Pinot Noir – a touch rough but with weight, extraction, body and enough acid to keep it in line.
16 (Distinguished) Samantha Cole-Johnson, Jancis Robinson(7/3/23)
Video Review
94 James Melendez, James The Wine Guy
2021 EILA SCARLET PINOT NOIR
This mixes Pommard and Coury clones from the Prophet vineyard. One quarter was fermented whole cluster, and one fifth aged in new oak. Svelte is the word that comes to mind – a wine that coats the palate with supple flavors of blueberries, pie cherries and accents of graham cracker, almond paste and chocolate. For all of that it remains focused, restrained, elegant and smooth. I’m sure this will age beautifully, but wow is this good right now.
95/100 Paul Gregutt – Northwest Wine Guide
Peter Sturn preferred to create “cuvée names” for his various bottlings of pinot noir, rather than label them by the vineyards that the wines were made from, as he was uncertain if he would move around sourcing grapes in the future and this made labeling paperwork far less complicated. His 2021 Scarlet Pinot Noir is crafted from grapes he purchased from Prophet Vineyard in Eola- Amity Hills. The wine is a touch riper than the Indigo bottling, coming in at 13.6 percent alcohol this year and was fermented using twenty-five percent whole clusters; élevage was done in twenty percent new oak. The bouquet is deep and sappy, wafting from the glass in a mix of black plums, black cherries, a nice touch of sweet stem tones, woodsmoke, dark soils, coffee bean and a gentle framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied and nicely sappy on the attack, with a good core and soil undertow, fine-grained tannins and a long, tangy and beautifully balanced finish. This is still a young wine and needs bottle age, but it will be another fine wine once it is ready to drink. 2030-2075+.
92 John Gilman, View From the Cellar (issue #106 July-August 2023)
Taking on a much darker ruby-purple hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir Scarlet reveals notes of anise, lavender, and blackberry, followed on the palate by a pure red with medium to full body, ripe tannins, and wonderful freshness. With its great energy and supple, attractive feel, it should have a fair bit of longevity over the coming 5-7 years. 2023-2030
92 Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (2021 Willamette Valley and Oregon Round-up 9/19/23)
Pale ruby in colour. A plush dark-fruited nose with baked black plum, black cherry and cinnamon. The palate is spicy with elevated amounts of soft acidity, fine-grained tannins and black-walnut bitters adding structure and chew to a moderate finish.
16 (Distinguished) Samantha Cole-Johnson, Jancis Robinson (7/3/23)
The Scarlet is a great introduction to a new winery that showed great potential with its 2021 vintage. A loamy soil aroma offers a bit of earth on the nose, joined by red cherry and lemon citrus notes. Tart red raspberries dominate a palate filled with tiny bits of orange zest and wet stones, all backed by nervy acidity and firm tannins. Enjoy now until 2032.
92 Cellar Selection, Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast (December 2023 issue)
Video Review
95 James Melendez, James the Wine
2021 EILA VIOLET PINOT NOIR
This new winery makes its debut with a single Chardonnay and three single vineyard Pinots. The Violet is sourced from Le Cadeau vineyard blocks planted with 777, 667, Pommard, 115 and Mariafeld clones. One quarter of the ferment was whole cluster and one quarter was aged in French new oak barrels. This is an elegant, restrained wine, yet generous with detail and nuance. Red berries, red currants, citrusy acids, a touch of savory herbs and subtle hints of steely minerality all contribute to this multi-dimensional wine.
93/100 Paul Gregutt Northwest Wine Guide
Once again there is a distinctly restrained aspect to the cool nose that reflects the typical essence of red berries and soft floral nuances that one finds in the wines of the Chehalem Mountains. The refined, pure and beautifully delineated flavors possess a lovely sense of verve before culminating in a dusty and lightly austere but notably better-balanced finale. This is lovely and a wine that could be enjoyed young with the right dishes but I would suggest holding for 5 to 7 years first in order to add depth. Promising.
92/2029++ Burghound April 2024
The 2021 Pinot Noir “Violet” from Eila Wines was made from grapes sourced from the higher elevation Le Cadeau Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. The vineyard is planted to a fairly wide diversity of different clones. Peter picked these grapes on September 22nd and fermented the wine with roughly twenty-five percent whole clusters and raised the wine in one quarter new oak. The wine is the most red fruity in personality of these three Eila pinots, offering up a complex nose of cherries, red plums, a lovey touch of fresh herb tones from the whole clusters, peonies, gamebird, a lovely base of soil and cedary oak. On the palate the wine is bright, fullbodied and tangy, with a beautiful core of fruit, excellent soil signature and grip, fine-grained tannins and a long, complex and impeccably balanced finish. This is the most aromatically complex of these three Eila pinots out of the blocks, and interestingly, is also the lowest octane, tipping the scales at a svelte 12.6 percent. 2031-2075+
92 John Gilman, View From the Cellar (issue #106 July-August 2023)
Medium ruby-red, the 2021 Pinot Noir Violet is the brightest and most high-toned of the wines presented and is ripe with black raspberry compote, smoky cedar, and loads of dark, stemmy spices. Supple and rounded, the palate is ripe and approachable, with notes of baked red plum and earthy porcini on the finish. It’s a charming wine to drink over the next several years. 2023-2026
90 Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (2021 Willamette Valley and Oregon Round-up 9/19/23)
Pale ruby in colour. Elevated intensity of juicy, fresh orange and tangerine citrus on the nose with ripe strawberry and rose-like floral character. Lively and driven acidity with low levels of fine, sandy tannins. Moderately long, fresh finish, with lingering flavours of orange peel.
16 (Distinguished) Samantha Cole-Johnson, Jancis Robinson (7/3/23)
The Violet is funky but chic. Loamy soil and savory meat pie aromas join forces with notes of boysenberries and raspberry-flavored drinking vinegar. The wine’s ripe blackberry flavor is complemented by bits of sage, black tea and lemon. Zippy acidity and a brisk mouthfeel.
91 Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast (December 2023 issue)
Video Review
95 James Melendez, James the Wine Guy
FAQ
Q: Will minors be allowed once Covid-19 restrictions subside?
A: Minors will not be allowed on the property going forward. We are offering a new tasting experience format from now on, with full-service garden seating only. As this is not a favorable environment for children, we have chosen to preserve our quiet setting as a place for adults only. Infants of 12 months and younger ( non-mobile ) are welcome with parents.
Q: Will dogs be allowed back on the property in the future?
A: We highly recommend booking an appointment with the following dog walking service for your reservation time, as we no longer accommodate pets: Rover.
Q: Will parties larger than four (4) be allowed once Covid-19 restrictions subside?
A: No. To preserve the quiet intimacy of our new reserved tasting format, we are scheduling for parties of 1 to 4 people maximum per group.
Q: Can we split our party into two to fit the seating guidelines?
A: No. As our tasting appointments are full-service, guided, and seated experiences, we do not accommodate larger parties broken up into separate tables.
Q: Do members still get complimentary tastings?
A: Yes. Each member receives eight (8) complimentary “Classic Tastings” per year. Reservations are required.
Q: Can members offer their complimentary tastings to their guests?
A: Yes. Members can utilize their complimentary tastings any way they wish. Use them at each season’s new releases, or share them with your guests at any reserved Classic Tasting visit.
Q: Can members bring guests to enjoy a walk-in table?
A: Yes. One (1) person in the group must be a member—Max 4 people per membership with each walk-in. No fee for walk-in. Just your bottle or glass purchase.
Q: Can two separate members bring guests and all sit together for a walk-in?
A: As long as the groups’ total party number is a maximum of four (4) people, yes. For groups larger than four, separate tables will be offered and may not be near one another. We will try our best to accommodate closeness, but not guaranteed.
Q: Can I sign up for the Club at the time of my arrival to enjoy walk-in privileges?
A: No. To be loyal to our established members, we politely decline on-site sing-up due to already limited seating available. * On-site sign-up is welcomed and encouraged after you have experienced a tasting with us.
Q: Do members receive any complimentary samples when they opt for a walk-in table?
A: Yes. However, due to the already limited seating available and a full-service experience, we do ask our members to purchase a glass or bottle for garden seating. Once seated, we will spoil our members with some samples of our newest releases. This is not a traditional tasting, but a few samples, aka – an “abbreviated tasting.”
Q: Must I purchase a glass or bottle to enjoy the garden as a member?
A: Yes. For all walk-in tables, members are asked to purchase a glass or bottle. Your 20% off will go towards all wine purchases, including glasses of wine. Want an entirely free experience? We simply ask you to book a reservation and utilize your complimentary tastings with our “Classic or Flagship Tasting Experiences. “
Q: How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?
A: We release reservations monthly at this time. (i.e., Reservations for August will most likely open up the first week of July. ) Reservations for “Classic Tastings” book up about 1-2 weeks in advance. The “Flagship Experience” books up approximately one week in advance. Remember to sign up for the waitlist on Tock or opt for a member walk-in table.
Q: I am a member, and I still have to pay a fee on Tock. Why?
A: Yes. All members and non-members must pay the tasting fee on Tock, as it is a separate operating system and does not register that you are a member. For the Classic or Flagship tastings, Members get this fee refunded back to their card according to their membership benefits. The Blue Door fee is refunded as a credit towards your wine purchase on the day of your visit. The Tock fee helps eliminate no-shows.
Q: If I purchase wine as a member after enjoying a classic tasting experience, do I still lose that complimentary tasting?
A: No. Keep your complimentary tasting for another time, as each four (4) bottle purchase on the day of your visit waives one (1) tasting fee.
Q: Can we bring picnic food?
A: For our walk-in, Blue door, or Classic Tasting experiences, we welcome you to bring food. Pack-in-pack-out. Syncline Winery is not offering food for purchase. Our Flagship tasting does come with small pre-packaged snacks, and as this experience is more in-depth, we ask that if any food is brought, let it be enjoyed after the tasting when you are seated in the garden.
Q: What is the Flagship Experience, and do members get to use their complimentary tastings for a Flagship Experience?
A: If you would like to take a deep dive into your wine journey, learn about our history from vineyard to bottle, and have an exclusive tasting with a vineyard tour, this is the one for you. Join us for a 2-hour experience. It includes a stroll to the upper vineyard, tastes of our library selections, current wine selections, and in-depth wine knowledge from one of our top educators. 6 and 12 bottle members do receive one (1) complimentary tasting a year. ( Sign up 1-6 max of your closest friends to enjoy this experience with you. ) Reservations are needed in advance. 2 and 4 bottle members, along with non-members, must reserve online, with a max of two (2) people per party.
Q: Will your hours extend once Covid-19 restrictions subside?
A: No. We are officially Open Friday – Sunday 12-5 pm. We are available for wine sales to go during these hours. The last walk-in seating is at 4 pm. The last tasting reservation is 3:30 pm.