Eyrie Vineyards: Papa Pinot's Rebellion

In 1965, David Lett loaded a U-Haul with vine cuttings and drove from California to Oregon's Willamette Valley. UC Davis professors told him he was insane - Oregon was 'too cold, too wet.' He planted anyway. In 1979, his 1975 Pinot Noir finished second (by 0.2 points) against France's best. When Drouhin organized a rematch, Eyrie finished second again. Drouhin bought land in Oregon.

A Wine Memories experience · winememories.fi

City

McMinnville

Country

🇺🇸 United States

Duration

2 hours

Good to know

Hours: Mon, Thu-Sun 11:00-16:00 (closed Tue-Wed)
Difficulty: Easy
Languages: English-friendly

Venue

📍

The Eyrie Vineyards

winery

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

David Lett planted Pommard and Wädenswil clones - taste wine from original vines.

Book the Exploration Flight ($20, 7 wines). Ask specifically for wines from the original 1965-planted vines if available. The Original Vines Pinot Noir is made from Lett's original Pommard clone plantings. Tell them you're on the Pinot Noir Pilgrimage - they love it.

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The winery displays memorabilia from the legendary Paris and Beaune tastings.

In the tasting room, look for the framed competition results and letters from Robert Drouhin. Ask staff about 'The Eyrie Tasting of 1979' - there's often a staff member who can recount the full story. The 0.2-point margin that changed wine history.

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David Lett's son Jason now runs the winery - he sometimes works the tasting room.

Ask if Jason Lett is in today. He's the winemaker and often engages with visitors. If he's not there, staff can share stories. Jason continues his father's light-handed winemaking style - discuss the philosophy of not following trends.

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David Lett also planted America's first Pinot Gris - try both varieties.

Request Eyrie Pinot Gris in your flight. Lett planted the first Pinot Gris in the US (1966). Comparing his Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris shows his philosophy - both are about elegance, not power.

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Insider Tips

February 22 is 'Eyrie Day' - the day Lett planted his first vines in 1965 (2025 marks 60 years)
The McMinnville location is a working winery, not a fancy tasting room - that's intentional
David Lett died in 2008 but his philosophy lives on: 'Color is not an indicator of quality in Pinot noir'
The International Pinot Noir Celebration is held annually in McMinnville on the last weekend of July

Updated February 2026

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Eyrie Vineyards: Papa Pinot's Rebellion

Good to know

Venue

How to Complete

Taste the Original Clone

Find the 1979 Competition Story

Meet Jason Lett

Taste the First US Pinot Gris

Insider Tips

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