VARIETAL COMPOSITION Pinot Noir
REGION Oregon
COUNTRY United States
APPELLATION(S) Willamette Valley
PROPRIETORS Tom Gerrie
FOUNDED 1992
WINEMAKER Steve Doerner, Daniel Estrin
Cristom is about 10 miles north of Salem, Oregon and 10 miles south of Dundee, about 36 miles east of the Pacific Ocean and about 65 miles west of the crest of the Cascade Range. Soils are comprised of a wide range of mineral rich volcanic materials that are very well drained. The Eola-Amity Hills AVA is influenced, and primarily defined by, cool afternoon breezes that blow off the Pacifc Ocean. This wind blows directly east and finds its way through the Van Duzer Corridor that is the lowest point in the Pacific Coast Range. It has the effect of quickly lowering vineyard temperatures after warm summer days, helping to preserve acidity and structure in the wines.
The five Estate Pinot Noir vineyards within Eola-Amity AVA - Marjorie, Louise, Jessie, Eileen, and Paul Gerrie named for Gerrie family - each possess natural variances in soil, elevation and exposition. With minimal intervention during the winemaking process, Tom, Steve and team strive to craft wines that are an honest recording of both the vineyard and the vintage.