Brooks

Of all of Oregon’s outstanding wineries, Brooks has one of the the most moving stories. Founded in 1998 by Portland native, Jimi Brooks, the winery was among the first to champion biodynamic farming in the Willamette Valley. In 2002, Jimi passed away, bequeathing his eight-year-old son, Pascal, the winery. When Jimi’s sister, Janie Brooks Hueck learned of his untimely passing, she stepped in to the business just as harvest was getting underway. At that point, she had no experience in the wine industry.

Jimi was so loved by other vintners in the Willamette Valley, they pledged see the winery through harvest, shepherding the 2002 vintage into bottle, and beyond. Today the wines are made by Jimi’s former assistant winemaker, Chris Williams. Janie is still actively involved in the business and Pascal works harvest as his college schedule allows. The winery has since blossomed to an annual production of 20,000 cases. Guided by a commitment to stewardship of the land, all of the vineyards Brooks’ source from are either biodynamically or organically farmed.

The winery is focused on showcasing terroir, which shines through in their single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Riesling bottlings. Their 2014 Temperance Hill Pinot Noir scored an outstanding 93 Points form Vinous reviewer, Josh Raynolds, “Limpid ruby-red. Powerful, mineral- and spice-accented red and dark berry and candied rose scents pick up notes of woodsmoke, vanilla and licorice with air. Sappy, penetrating black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors show excellent depth and focus, and notes of spicecake and anise add complexity. Becomes sweeter with air and shows impressive precision on the subtly tannic, strikingly long finish, where red fruit and floral liqueur notes linger.”

rker, Jr.