THE FRESHNESS OF THE OREGON FOREST
OUR ESTATE
Cloaked by a thick forest and miles of pristine wilderness in the southern Willamette Valley, Benton-Lane is a biodiverse, 317-acre estate with only 140 acres planted to vineyard. Our vines—Pinot Noir with some Chardonnay, many dating to 1991—are protected by the surrounding mountains, which gently push the clouds north and south, creating a rain-shadow effect. Cooling winds that enter through gaps in the coast range offer a reprieve from the summer heat for a longer growing season.
Rolling down over a 500-foot elevation drop, our terrain is a compelling mix of sedimentary and volcanic soils that greatly influence the flavors and texture of the wines they produce. We are continually deepening our understanding of their potential alongside geologists and terroir specialists, in order to shape diverse and complex expressions.
With the resilience of old vines and deep roots, as well as a wide array of clones, we are able to dry-farm our estate, taking a natural approach that incorporates organic, sustainable, and biodynamic practices. For 27 years Jose Garcia has tended our vines, farming each block individually to help us ensure we nurture each area to its fullest potential.
OUR WINES
Making great wines requires dedicated people who share an instinctive passion for the craft and push each other towards excellence. Winemaker Amael Orrego and estate manager (and native Oregonian) Gretchen Boock, who’s been walking Willamette Valley vineyards for more than 20 years, work side by side with a likeminded curiosity and meticulous attention to detail, from vineyard to cellar. By coaxing each block to its fullest expression, they consistently create wines with a beautiful balance of freshness, intensity, and structure.
In our newly renovated winemaking facility, the team uses a mix of small and large fermenters, treating each lot individually to ensure our wine is the ultimate expression of our estate and terroir. Our Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are aged for 10 to 15 months in 100% French oak barrels for a consistently complex and balanced finish.
OUR HISTORY
We’ve always had a pioneering spirit—no wonder our label is a stamp. Back in 1988, accomplished winemaker Steve Girard left Napa Valley and ventured north, driven by a desire to craft cool-climate Pinot Noir in the then-uncharted region of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. His journey led him to the pristine soils of a historic sheep ranch on a sweeping ridge extending from the coastal mountain range, just off the Oregon Trail on Territorial Highway. This special property, with its perfect mix of sunny days and cool nights that make for a prolonged growing season, had all the characteristics needed to produce world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Today we continue to push our founding vision even further, relentlessly investigating new ways to express the terroir purely and boldly through our wines.