Cristom Vineyards

Cristom is one of Oregon’s most iconic estates, turning out elegant, mineral-laden Pinot Noirs of matchless depth and style for the past quarter-century. The winery and has enjoyed numerous accolades over the years, most recently, their Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir was recognized as the No. 1 Pinot Noir in American Restaurants in Wine & Spirits Magazine’s 29th Annual Restaurant Poll and was also awarded 95 points by JamesSuckling.com. Additionally, their 2014 Eola-Amity Hills Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir was the highest-rated Pinot Noir in The Wine Advocate’s annual Oregon Report, out of over 520 wines sampled, rated 97 points by critic Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW.

What began as a shared vision between Paul Gerrie and veteran winemaker, Steve Dorner—then the longtime winemaker at California’s pioneering Central Coast winery, Calera—has since blossomed. The winery’s 239-acre estate is divided into five distinct vineyards; these include Eileen, Jessie, Louise, and Marjorie, all with varying elevations and soil types; all are cooled by breezes from the Pacific Ocean air that flows east into the Willamette Valley during the warm summer months. Cristom’s unique wind-blown terroir in combination with clonal diversity, minimal handling in the cellar, as well as whole-cluster fermentation by native yeasts, contributes to their wine’s graceful, impeccably balanced profiles. Meticulous biodynamic farming practices in the vineayrd, and a non-interventionist philosophy lends to Cristom’s enduring brand stability. Each year, the winery’s Pinot Noir blends and single vineyard offerings are well-positioned to place on the finest wine lists and in the best wine shops all over the world.

Twenty-six years on, second-generation winegrower and owner, Tom Gerrie now leads the team at Cristom, having made wine in Australia, Burgundy, Alsace, in addition to apprenticeships at Beaux Frères and Bethel Heights, Tom is continuing his family’s legacy.