Beaux Frères

While on vacation in 1986, Michael Etzel came upon an 88-acre pig farm for sale located on Ribbon Ridge in the Northern Willamette Valley, Yamhill County, Oregon. After some deliberation, Michael purchased the farm with his brother-in-law (the French idiom is “beaux frères”), Robert Parker, Jr.

Michael uprooted his young family from Colorado and moved to the farm the following summer. He began his focused pursuit as a vineyard manager by planting only Pinot Noir and slowly transforming the old pig and dairy farm into his jewel. While planting his own vineyard, Michael worked four harvests at Ponzi Winery. In 1990, Michael harvested his first crop and sold the grapes, except enough to make one barrel, to winemakers Ken Wright and Dick Ponzi.

In 1991, a renovation of one of the barns led to the creation of Beaux Frères Winery. With each new vintage, Michael’s efforts further unveil his pursuit of Pinot Noir that is the purest expression of the vineyard.

In 2017, the winery celebrated the release of its 25th vintage, the milestone also marked the beginning of a new partnership with eighth-generation French family-owned Maisons & Domaines Henriot. Michael’s role in guiding vineyard, winery, and day-to-day operations continue, as will his partial ownership along with his brother-in-law, Robert Parker Jr. Michael’s son, Mike D. Etzel, continues as winemaker.

With each new vintage, Michael’s efforts further his family’s vision to craft wines of great finesse and purity. Indeed, the Etzel’s (both father and son’s) wines have always been a portrait of weightlessness, concentration, and sublime harmony.

sale located on Ribbon Ridge in the Northern Willamette Valley, Yamhill County,

Oregon. After some deliberation, Michael purchased the farm with his brother-

in-law (the French idiom is “beaux frères”), Robert Parker, Jr.