Sun Break Wines 'Ariane' Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon

Shimmering light ruby in the glass with a delicate watery rim, 2022 Sun Break Wines ‘Ariane’ Pinot Noir captures the quiet power and lifted elegance of the Eola–Amity Hills. Crafted from six distinct clones grown on volcanic Jory soils and shaped by the corridor winds of this famed AVA, this finely tuned cuvée offers a vivid, textural portrait of site and season, at once floral, savory, and full of energy.

Product Details:

• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir (Pommard, Wädenswil, Dijon 114, 115, 667, 777)
• Winemaker/ Owner: David Patte
• Farming Practices: Dry farmed; no herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, or pesticides
• ABV: 12.8%
• Vineyard: Cortell–Rose Vineyard, Eola–Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley; volcanic Jory soils at 525–680 ft elevation; 5 ft vine spacing, 7 ft row spacing (1,245 plants/acre); north–south orientation; double cordon VSP; co-managed by Jessica Cortell
• Vintage Conditions: Spring frost and a cool early season delayed growth by four weeks; warm, dry conditions in September and October allowed for full ripening with low sugars and great phenolic maturity
• Fermentation: Whole cluster fermentations in 1.5-ton open fermenters by clone and fermentation type; pied de cuve yeast starter followed by non-GMO cultured yeast; daily foot treading; 11-day macerations
• Élevage: 10 months in older French oak; two bâtonnages; no racking until blending; sulfites added only in spring; chitosan used for microbial control
• Filtration & Closure: Cross-flow filtered; TCA-free Trefino corks from Spain (very low oxygen ingress)
• Production: 237 cases
• Bottling Date: August 10, 2023
• Sustainability: One Percent for the Planet member; supports carbon offset projects totaling 74 tons
• Lab Analysis (July 2023):
  • Titratable Acidity: 5.3 g/L
  • pH: 3.55
  • Volatile Acidity (Acetic Acid): 0.52 g/L
  • Free SO₂ at Bottling: 34 mg/L
  • Molecular SO₂: 0.60 mg/L
  • Ethanol: 12.8%

Sensory Description:

The wine opens with a radiant nose of Bing cherry, raspberry, red rose petal, orange zest, and sweet herbs. On the palate, it leans toward the savory with earthy tones, forest herbs, and delicate spice, framed by crunchy tannins and medium-plus acidity. Black plum and savory tea leaf notes emerge with air, adding depth to the long, elegant finish. The whole-cluster structure lends energy, while the blend of six clones captures the vineyard’s full voice.

Awards & Accolades:

• 93 — International Wine Report (2024)
  “A phenomenal nose of bright Bing cherries, raspberries, red rose petals, sweet herbs, and orange zest spills from the glass, while the palate is more savory in nature with earth and forest herbs. Crunchy tannins and medium-plus acidity complete the wine.”

Winemaker's Background:

Sun Break Wines is a small, family-run winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley led by David Patte, a French-American winemaker who draws on old-world heritage and local experience. David learned his craft through harvest internships with renowned Oregon producers and formal study at Chemeketa’s Wine Studies Program. Together with his wife, Elizabeth, he runs the operation with minimal labor and maximum care. Their wines are rooted in organic principles and made with minimal intervention, including natural fermentations, lees aging, and reduced sulfur use. As a member of One Percent for the Planet, Sun Break supports environmental projects and uses sustainable materials, including TCA-free corks and new reusable Revino bottles beginning in 2023.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 55–60°F in a Burgundy-style Pinot Noir glass to reveal its aromatic range and delicate texture. Decanting for 30 minutes enhances the wine’s floral and savory complexity. Ideal pairings include wild mushroom risotto, roast duck with cherry glaze, grilled salmon, or herb-roasted root vegetables. Pour 5 oz servings to allow oxygen to unlock its full character.

2022 Sun Break Wines ‘Ariane’ Pinot Noir is a precise, site-driven expression of Eola–Amity Hills terroir, thoughtfully crafted, quietly powerful, and resonant from first sip to last.