Brian
Brian is a joint project between 3 Australians: winemakers Peter Dredge and Joe Holyman, and wine writer Mike Bennie. Mike is a wine writer by trade, who helped create the enormously successful Australian natural wine festival, Rootstock Sydney. They make wine together in Tasmania and Oregon, sourcing from organic sites.
Enjoy a quick introduction story on the Brian project and the wines
3 Pinots — Back to the top
Total Production in bottles: 1800
Vineyard: Multi vineyard blend all from the Willamette Valley AVA- all certified organic
Age of Vines: 10 years
Soil: Silty Clay and Volcanic Basalt
Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Blanc, 20% Pinot Gris
Vinification Method: Grapes are hand harvested and ferment semi-carbonically as whole bunches in 225 liter 5 year old wooden barrels, during which time (naked) pigeage is performed. The wine rests in fiberglass tanks for about another 9 months and is then bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with a small addition of sulfur.
Gris — Back to the top
Total Production in bottles: 1200
Vineyard: Keeler Estate (Willamette Valley/Eola Amity Hills AVA)- Organic Certified
Age of Vines: 10 years
Yields: 6 tons/ha
Soil: Volcanic Basalt
Varieties: Pinot Gris
Vinification Method: Grapes are hand harvested and destemmed. The wine is fermented in contact with the skins for about 2 weeks, in 225 liter 5 year old wooden barrels, during which time (naked) pigeage is performed. The wine rests for about another 9 months and is then bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with a small addition of sulfur.
Rizza — Back to the top
Total Production in bottles: 800
Willamette Valley/Eola Amity Hills AVA- This vineyard is LIVE certfied.
Age of Vines: 10 years
Yields: 6 tons/ha
Soil: Volcanic Basalt
Varieties: Riesling
Vinification Method: Grapes are hand harvested as whole bunches and stomped. The juice begins fermenting in contact with the bunches for 48 hours in 5 year old 225 liter barrels. The juice is pressed off the skins and rests in barrel undisturbed for about 10 months. The wine is bottled unfined, unfiltered, and with a small addition of sulfur.