Sun Break Wines – Single Vineyard/Eola-Amity Hills/Willamette Valley Pinot Noir & Oregon Vermouth and Cider
Let’s keep this going! We are offering a 30% across-the-board discount with -50% on shipping. My aim is to spur some needed cash flow ; ) to keep pace with our year-over-year (substantial) increases in grape and winery rent payments (boot-strapping this winery w/ no loans, no investors : )
Why the growth? Beyond the fact that we keep selling out, which is great a great problem to have, one word: quality. I have increased my annual Pinot Noir allocation at the Cortell-Rose Vineyard to 20 tons so that I now have sizeable access to all six blocks/clones. The wines are so much better and show more depth and complexity as we add more clonal diversity: some clones (at this site) bring more tannin (Dijon 114 and 115), or bright red fruit (667 and 777), or midpalate texture and darker red fruit (Pommard), or acidity (Wadensvil), etc. There are other practical benefits to being the largest buyer at the vineyard such as better leverage to negotiate viticulture practices and pick dates; but my favorite is that I now have enough barrels to create a barrel-select Reserve Marie-Paule Pinot Noir.
DB Theme/Cliff Notes- 30% across-the-board discount and 50% shipping on 91+pt. Pinot Noir, Vermouth and authentic style cider- you decide what you’d like to order. Three bottle minimum order please. Just one discount code to remember “BD14" via our online shop for out-of-state orders– but respond here for special process California and New Jersey orders, and of course, Oregon deliveries and/or pickup options, or non-VinoShipper States.
Go to our VinoShipper online shop to read about the wines, vermouth and cider (click “see details”) (click here) or keep reading below for the wine list followed by full tasting notes and reviews.
Raffle! Reply to this post with your order and comments to enter the raffle: a pair of private reserve/library 2018 Pinot Noir wines (sold out several years ago). This includes the 94pt (WE) Colette and 93pt/Editors’ Choice (WE) Marie-Paule Pinot Noir. Winner to be announced on the 28th!
How to order: Three bottle minimum order. For local Willamette Valley orders, please reply here for delivery or pickup and offline payment. California and New Jersey folks, please reply here and we’ll work out the behind-the-scenes VS process. All others, click here to access on online VinoShipper site and use “BD14” discount code. Thanks! My permits on VinoShipper do not allow shipping to: AL, AR, DE, MS, RI, SD, UT. I do have work-arounds for some (not all) of these States-- just reach out.
Thanks! David Patte, owner, wine maker
Willamette Valley, Oregon, Sun Break Wines (541) 745-3016 (mobile) dpatte62@gmail.com https://SunBreakWineCider.com
Pinot Noir Summary Wine Making / Tasting Notes: These are wonderfully complex wines with great flavor intensity (I tend to pick as late as possible while keeping an eye on low ABVs and good acidity, details below). I vinify using three distinct styles all from the Cortell-Rose Vineyard to explore different expressions of terroir: Colette is 100% destemmed, Marie-Paule is 70% de-stemmed/30% whole cluster (2021 vintage), and Ariane is 100% whole cluster. The 2021 Marie-Paule Reserve is 60% de-stemmed/40% whole cluster. There is a through-line, but these three styles are quite distinct from each other. I can’t reveal my favorite child : ) –- it really depends on food pairings, mood, drinking window and planned cellaring time as explained in the tasting notes, below.
All six clones/blocks from the vineyard are used starting with the 2021 vintage (5 in the 2019 vintage), a key factor to the wine’s quality. The vineyard is dry farmed, and no herbicides or synthetic fertilizers or pesticides are used. The Cortell-Rose Vineyard is co-owned and farmed by Jessica Cortell who farms several top-tier organic vineyards such as Seven Springs, Medici and Antica Terra. Jessica chose this vineyard as her own for its Grand Cru-like potential with volcanic Jory soils at 525’-680’ elevation, and the hallmark cool temperatures of the Eola-Amity Hills (due in large part to the winds from the Van Duzer corridor).
As for wine making highlights: no new oak, élevage on the lees with bâttonage, and cross-flow filtered for stability. The 2019s were produced with no added sulfites and show some earthy/forest floor/mushroom notes balanced with the red fruit on the palate at this stage. The 2021s (and moving forward) have sulfites added before bottling for a cleaner style.
We also have a Rosé, two award-winning Pinot Noir based Vermouths, and four authentic-style, bottle carbonated Ciders. (Our White Pinot Noir is sold out.) Sun Break Vermouths are made from red and rosé base wines with the aromas and flavors coming from 17 to 20 organic and no-spray botanical infusions. These are crafted to be enjoyed on their own, chilled, as apéritif wines; and of course, they shine in cocktails.
Sun Break Cider is crafted using heritage/heirloom apples for aromatic, complex and food-friendly dry ciders. Heirloom cider apples have higher natural sugar/ABV, tannins and tartness. The cider is bottle-conditioned similar to a sparkling wine/méthode Champenoise but without disgorgement for extended in-bottle lees contact.
We are a One Percent for the Planet member, with lots of sustainability projects/process considerations, donating one percent of all sales to environmental projects accredited for 70 tons of carbon offsets this year (goes up each year). (Also VinoShipper/UPS does the same to offset our shipping carbon footprint.)
Current production levels are approximately 1,000 cases of Pinot Noir (1,200 cases for the 2022 vintage), 900 cases of cider, and 250 cases of vermouth per year. Smaller amounts of white Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are produced, approximately 100 to 125 cases respectively.
Full tasting and wine making notes are below.
Short Summary/Accolades:
2021 Marie-Paule Reserve Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.2% ABV, 117 cases produced. $55 Retail/$38.20 DB14 Price 93 pts/Editors’ Choice (WE)
2019 Colette Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.9% ABV, 238 cases produced, 7 remain! $38 Retail/$26.60 DB14 Price 91.1 pts. (CT)
2021 Colette Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.5% ABV, 215 cases produced. $38 Retail/$26.60 DB14 Price 91 pts. (IWR)
[2019 Marie-Paule Pinot Noir, Sold Out!]
2021 Marie-Paule Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.2% ABV, 378 cases produced. $34 Retail/$23.80 DB14 Price 92 pts. (IWR)
2019 Ariane Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.9% ABV, 145 cases produced, 94 remain. $38 Retail/$26.60 DB14 Price 91pts. (WE)
2021 Ariane Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 12.9% ABV, 233 cases produced. $38 Retail/$26.60 DB14 Price 92 pts (IWR)
[2020 Colette Pinot Noir, Sold Out] [2021 Nicolette White Pinot Noir, Sold Out]
2020 Marie Rosé of Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 12.5% ABV, 116 cases produced, 37 remain. $17 Retail/$11.90 BD14 Sale
NV Sun Break Rosé Vermouth, small-batch Oregon made, 17 organic/no-spray botanicals, 3% R.S., 16.7% ABV. $27 Retail/$18.90 BD14 Sale. 127 cases produced. 94 pts/Editors’ Choice (WE)
NV Sun Break Red Vermouth, small-batch Oregon made, 20 organic/no-spray botanicals, 3% R.S., 16.7% ABV. $27 Retail/$18.90 BD14 Sale. 123 cases produced. 91 pts/Editors’ Choice (WE)
Gravenstein Gold Dry Heritage Cider, 7.4% ABV, Bottle-conditioned/Méthode Champenoise w/o disgorgement. $8 retail/500ml/ $4.80 BD14 Sale 5-star rating
Liberty Red Dry Heritage Cider, 8.4% ABV, Bottle-conditioned/Méthode Champenoise w/o disgorgement. $8 retail/500ml/ $4.80 BD14 Sale 4-star rating
Idyll Acres Perfection Dry Heritage Cider, 8.2% ABV, Bottle-conditioned/Méthode Champenoise w/o disgorgement. $8 retail/500ml/ $4.80 BD14 Sale 4-star rating
Dabinett Dry Heritage Cider, 7.9% ABV, Bottle-conditioned/Méthode Champenoise w/o disgorgement. $8 retail/500ml// $4.80 BD14 Sale 4-star rating
Sold Out:
2018 Colette Pinot Noir, Sold out in 10 months, 94pts (WE)
2018 Marie-Paule Pinot Noir, 93pts/Editors’ Choice (WE)
2018 Ariane Pinot Noir, Sold out 9 mos., 93 pts (Prince of Pinot), 92pts (WE)
2019 Marie-Paule Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard 91pts (WE, James Suckling)
2019 Marie-Paule Pinot Noir, Open Claim Vineyard 92pts/Editors’ Choice (WE, James Suckling)
2020… was a smoke-tainted vintage for us. Sold out at significant discount.
Additional Press
Prince of Pinot feature article (93pts, 92pts, 91pts): Sun Break Wines: Unique Value-Priced Oregon Pinot Noir | The PinotFile: Volume 12, Issue 10
Oregon Wine Archive Interview: [DAVID PATTE – Oregon Wine History Archive]
Oregon Wine Press Magazine feature article: Davids vs Goliaths
Background: The French wine label names are an homage to my family. Le Cellier du Chateau de la Tourette, Adeche, France, 16th Century. My great-grandfather’s winery. Still in the family but sadly no longer a winery. As a youth I spent most summers on the family farm in Provence and two years of high school in France. This is where my love for great food and wine started. In particular, I owe a lot to my aunt Marie-Paule and uncle Christian who generously shared amazing wines from their cellar which focused on Burgundy Pinot Noir and Champagne.
I love the personal connection to my wines and working at a scale that allows attention to detail. I have no employees except some part-time help during sorting and pressing at harvest. It’s fun and very rewarding to track the evolution of the wines every couple of weeks as I top barrels, and then work on the assemblage of the cuvées before bottling.
I learned the craft and science of vinification through harvest internships with six Oregon wineries and wine makers. This was supplemented with classes at the Chemeketa Wine Studies Program, and a lifetime of tasting wine in the U.S. and France, and perhaps most importantly, absorbing the stories, lessons and experiences from hundreds and hundreds of winemakers along the way (I am of French origin, grew up in both countries and became a U.S. citizen after graduate school…).
Full Tasting Notes and Dets.
2021 Marie-Paule Reserve Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.2% ABV, 3.51 pH, 5.1 TA, 117 cases produced. $55 Retail/$38.20 BD Sale. 93 points/Editors’ Choice (Wine Enthusiast). “A beautiful wine with a glimmering medium neon ruby color and a light pink rim. The nose is full of wild huckleberry, red cherry, toasted pine nuts, pink rose petals, and hints of a dusty country road. On the palate, flavors of black cherry and pomegranate juice are prominent. This wine has medium to high acidity levels, crunchy tannins, and a medium body and was fermented with 40% whole cluster and aged for 11 months in neutral oak barrels, which provides a complex and interesting flavor profile.” 92 pts., Drink: 2023-2031. Jeremy Young, International Wine Report, 1/11/2023
2019 Colette Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.9% ABV, 3.36 pH, 5.6 TA, 238 cases produced, 7 remain! $38 Retail/$26.60 BD Sale. 91.1 pts. (Cellar Tracker) 100% destemmed fermentations; Earthy, mushroom forest floor notes opening up to: “Ripe, round, fulsome fruit flavors: huckleberries, red currants and pie cherries. Notes of rose petal. Velvety tannins provide a luscious and dynamic yet soft, mouthfeel. Vibrates with tingly, vibrant spices – green peppercorn and clove – that reverberate from first sip to long-lasting finish.” Peter Szymczak, former Oregon Wine Press wine writer, Nov. 2020
2021 Colette Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.5% ABV, 3.44 pH, 5.6 TA, 215 cases produced. $38 Retail/$26.60 BD Sale. (91 points International Wine Report): “100% destemmed during fermentation and in neutral French oak barrels for 11 months, the 2021 Colette Pinot Noir from Sun Break is a juicy, fruit-forward, and delicious wine. Boasting notes of macerated red cherry, pomegranate seeds, dried sage, wet earth, and a hint of anise seed. Acidity checks in on the high side, while tannins are crunchy but starting to integrate.” Drink: 2023-2031, Jeremy Young, International Wine Report, 1/11/2023
[2019 Marie-Paule Pinot Noir, Sold Out!]
2019 Marie-Paule Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.2% ABV, 3.46 pH, 5.5 TA, 378 cases produced. $34 Retail/$23.80 BD Sale. 92 points (IWR): “I love the nose on the 2021 Marie-Paule Pinot Noir from Sun Break - it explodes from the glass with aromas of blueberry preserves, crushed cranberries, wet stone, Earl Grey tea, hints of charcuterie, and fresh poultry herbs. Balanced and fresh acidity pairs perfectly with the rounded sweet tannins and lengthy fruit-forward finish. It finishes just a touch more elegant and balanced than its siblings, which makes it my favorite of the lineup. 378 cases were produced.” Drink: 2023-2031. Jeremy Young, International Wine Report, 1/11/2023
2019 Ariane Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 13.9% ABV, 3.40 pH, 5.5 TA, 145 cases produced, 94 remain. $38 Retail/$26.60 BD Sale. 91pts (WE). 100% whole cluster fermentation, Earthy funk notes opening up to candied apple and cherry, followed by secondary savory notes of earthy meadow and a rich green olive salinity. The overall impression is one of elegance, dynamic verve and mystery. Whole cluster fermentation is classic Burgundian technique that explores another dimension of our terroir, one that produces a wine approachable upon release, but also rewards patience and cellaring.
2021 Ariane Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 12.9% ABV, 3.52 pH, 5.3 TA, 233 cases produced. $38 Retail/$26.60 BD Sale. 92 points (IWR): “Fermented with 100% whole cluster and all neutral oak, which gives it a more earthy, structured, and savory style compared to the others in the lineup. Boasting a medium ruby/orange core with a silvery rim in the glass, it offers up aromas of spiced red plum, crushed pink peppercorn, sweet clove, and Blood orange tones. Crunchy sweet tannins, a medium body, and mouthwatering acidity complete this fabulous Pinot Noir that should age nicely in your cellar for the next decade.” Drink: 2023-2033. Jeremy Young, International Wine Report, 1/11/2023
[2020 Colette Pinot Noir, Sold Out] [2021 Nicolette White Pinot Noir, Sold Out]
2020 Marie Rosé of Pinot Noir, Cortell-Rose Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Willamette Valley, 12.5% ABV, 3.16 pH, 5.9 TA, 116 cases produced, 37 remain. $17 Retail/$11.90 BD Sale. A blend of early and fully mature Pinot Noir grapes with a fair amount of extraction/color, this rosé is bright and fruity with a mid-palate richness and soft red wine tannins. Features strawberry, rose petal and red cherry flavors and aromatics, with a flinty mineral/red wine tannin finish.
NV Sun Break Rosé Vermouth, small-batch Oregon made, 17 organic/no-spray botanicals, 3% R.S., 16.7% ABV. $27 Retail/$18.90 BD Sale. 127 cases produced. 94 points/Editors’ Choice (WE). Compelling floral notes with citrus, rose, alpine meadow, spice and bitter orange. A blend of 17 old- and new-world floral, fruit, herb, spice and bitter botanicals including rose petals, hibiscus flowers, rose hips, elder flower, orange peel, lemon peel, angelica root, gentian root, anise seed, fennel seed, coriander, sage, lemongrass, cinnamon, ginger root, roasted chicory root and wormwood. The base wine is a Rosé of Pinot Noir (Rogue Valley, Oregon), the brandy is distilled from Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley). Enjoy on its own, chilled, as apéritif wines, on ice with a twist of lime and/or with soda water; and of course, it shines in cocktails.
NV Sun Break Red Vermouth, small-batch Oregon made, 20 organic/no-spray botanicals, 3% R.S., 16.7% ABV. $28 Retail/$18.90 BD Sale. 123 cases produced. 91 points/Editors’ Choice (WE). Vibrant ruby red in color. Dusty nose with heady baking spice, woodsy cedar, orange peel, cherry/cranberry flavors with bitter and nutty cardamon highlights. A blend of 20 old world and new world floral, fruit, herb, spice and bitter botanicals including cardamon, cinnamon, roasted chicory root, maqui berries, juniper berries, rose hips, elder flower, orange peel, sage, grains of paradise, angelica root, gentian root, horehound, blessed thistle, anise seed, fennel seed, wild cherry bark, elecampane root, Oregon grape, and wormwood. The base wine is Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley), the brandy is distilled from Rose’ of Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley).
Gravenstein Gold Dry Heritage Cider, 7.4% ABV, Bottle-conditioned/Méthode Champenoise w/o disgorgement. $8 retail/500ml/ $4.80 BD14 Sale 5-star rating Lauren Gertsen, Cider Scene, review on Cider Expert: “Traditional English apple cider with a Champagne style twist…. crisp apple and rose noses, hitting your taste buds just like champagne… and the floral notes linger.” (Lauren Gertsen, writer for Cider Scene, review on Cider Expert.) Made from fresh-picked Willamette Valley apples featuring Gravenstein and Golden Russet apples, Olympic pears, and another 13 heritage varieties such as Reine de Pommes, Amere de Berthecourt, Vilberie, Ashmead’s Kernel, Dabinett and Wickson. Small-batch and naturally bottle-carbonated. No sulfites added.
Liberty Red Dry Heritage Cider, 8.4% ABV, Bottle-conditioned/Méthode Champenoise w/o disgorgement. $8 retail/500ml/ $4.80 BD14 Sale 4-star rating , Lauren Gertsen, Cider Scene, review on Cider Expert: This cider pops with bright and zesty red apple notes and floral (rose) notes. Made from fresh-picked Oregon apples, the 2020 vintage features 45% Liberty apples along with Olympic pears and 6 heritage varieties: Dabinett, Vilberie, Amere de Berthcourt, Reines des pommes, Brown Snout and Ashmead’s Kernel. Small-batch and naturally bottle-carbonated. No sulfites added.
Idyll Acres Perfection Dry Heritage Cider, 8.2% ABV, Bottle-conditioned/Méthode Champenoise w/o disgorgement. $8 retail/500ml/ $4.80 BD14 Sale 4-star rating , Lauren Gertsen, Cider Scene, review on Cider Expert: Highly aromatic with wine-like, layers of caramel apple flavors; this a crisp dry cider with a white tea finish. Made with 100% Willamette Valley, Oregon, heirloom/heritage cider apples from the Idyll Acres Orchard, featuring 30% Porter’s Perfection, along with four other heritage varieties: Vilberie, Marechal, Dabinett and Sweet Coppin. Small-batch and naturally bottle-carbonated. No sulfites added.
Dabinett Dry Heritage Cider 7.9% ABV, Bottle-conditioned/Méthode Champenoise w/o disgorgement. $8 retail/500ml/ $4.80 BD14 Sale 4-star rating , Lauren Gertsen, Cider Scene, Cider Expert review: Zesty, fall apple and floral flavors with a crisp, refreshing and wild yeast, farmhouse style finish. Full bodied with secondary notes of buttered apple crisp that add complexity to this delicious cider. 100% Dabinett heritage apples, a cider lover’s dream varietal from England with bright floral notes, good tannins and full-bodied with a touch of astringency. Small-batch and naturally bottle-carbonated. No sulfites added.
Reminder: How to order! For local Willamette Valley orders, please reply here for local delivery or pickup and offline payment. California folks, please reply here and we’ll work out the behind-the-scenes VS process. All others, click here to access on online VinoShipper site. Thanks! My permits on VinoShipper do not allow shipping to: AL, AR, DE, MS, NJ, RI, SD, UT. I do have work-arounds for NJ and some other States-- just reach out.
Thanks,
David Patte, owner, wine maker
Willamette Valley, Oregon, Sun Break Wine and Cider
(541) 745-3016 (mobile)
dpatte62@gmail.com
https://SunBreakWineCider.com
Instagram: @SunBreakWC #SunBreakWine
Let’s end with a few pictures!
