The Wine

The 2016 Checkmate Pinot noir is a collaboration between one of our longstanding winemakers for Durant Vineyards, Isabelle Dutartre, and our new winemaker going forward, Spencer Spetnagel. Isabelle made the grapes into wine for this 2016 Pinot noir and Spencer came on board in time to sit down at the blending table with Isabelle and piece this wine together for our first time participating in Willamette: The Pinot Noir Auction. This wine represents the next step in the Durant Vineyards legacy. We have been growing Dundee Hills grapes for 45 years. Now we are building a winery on-site, and 2018 will mark the first time our wines will be made on the same property they are grown. We are excited about what the future holds and we are extremely proud of where we have been and all the help we have gotten from numerous winemakers over the years. Stop by sometime soon and join us to see what the next 45 years holds.

The Winery

First and foremost, the Durant Family strives to be viticulturists whose wines reflect careful farming and craftsmanship. As a founder in the Oregon wine industry with our first plantings in 1973, our goal is to produce wines that reflect the tradition of high quality. 100% estate-grown fruit, proudly labeled as Durant Vineyards. We are also grateful for the 45 years that we have spent growing Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Pinot gris fruit for some of the best wineries in Oregon.

Learn more about Durant Vineyards
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