Any details on the new-ish Willamette Valley project LucidWild

WINE TALK
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Saw that the new LucidWild tasting/hospitality build just opened a week or two ago. I haven’t heard much about the wines, and a search of the WB board didn’t turn up anything.

Here’s what I could find publicly (very short version):

  • Family-owned by an attorney turned winery owner on Worden Hill Rd, ex–Bella Vida site
  • Purchased in Jan 2021 and the first vintage released in Sept 2023
  • Isabelle Meunier is the winemaker
  • Ultra premium positioning; the top pinot is $310, and the lowest price is $95

Curious for the board’s perspective on a few things:

Has anyone tasted the wines? General impressions? Can’t imagine they’re 3-6x better than everyone’s usual Dundee favorites.

Which begs the next question:

Considering current industry trends, especially in tasting rooms, how sustainable is this model? Some investors clearly see a long-term return, but it stood out to me.

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Here are a lot more details. This is not what I am looking for when I visit a winery. And a $150 BdB? Suffice it to say, I will not be a patron. Good luck to those investors.

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No comment.

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For $155 I’d rather buy Westborn or some late disgorged bottles.

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5

SMH.

Does this mean Bella Vida fruit isnt available elsewhere? That would be a shame.

Honestly, without a robust secondary market, how can people ask these prices?

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6

the free market should handle whether they make it or not just fine

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I wouldn’t consider it sustainable, but I don’t think they care. I understand there is some serious backing there. It is a nice site but the price for a tasting is ridiculous in such a competitive market as Willamette.

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Ithinkthewaytheydon’tspacebetweenwordsisgreat!

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This feels more like Napa energy than Willamette.

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Doesn’t look to be my jam.

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12

It has PE/VC money written all over.

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13

$5 says they pick at 23 brix.

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Appealing to the “What’s the best (i.e. most expensive) pinot?” crowd.

Does the Willamette Valley allow helicopters to land at wineries?

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Only if they’re solar powered

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https://www.aileronhill.com/

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Well, you learn something every day

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You and me both. I drove by it today coming out of Carlton where I had driven to this morning to get a breakfast burrito given that I have tired of making my own (and the crew’s) for the past 2 weeks. There was a sign for it that wasn’t there the last time I went that way. Looked it up.

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It appears they only allow you access to their private jet. You could still be the first helicopter winery in the valley Jim! Just saying :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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I am sure TONS of wineries have the space to land a helicopter in these parts. We certainly do. Our lower “parking lot” could easily be a landing pad for a helicopter.

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There was a helicopter tour to a few WV wineries. It’s been a few years since I first saw the ad and I don’t recall the specifics. Seems like a Ribbon Ridge winery was in the bunch. May have folded due to lack of interest.