Lingua Franca - Willamette Valley, Oregon
LINGUA FRANCA:
"A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different." For example "pinot noir" here at home and "pinot noir" in Burgundy."
Wine lovers are lucky. There is no doubt we are living in the first Golden Age of Oregon wine. The founders of Oregon wine - including Eyrie, Erath, Adelsheim and a few others - beginning back in the '60s were prescient. Whether it was to happen then or later, or today, or fifty some-years on, we are reaping and drinking the benefits.
From those first mid-sixties days in the Willamette Valley, it only took two decades for one of Burgundy's grand names, Domaine Drouhin to, with a French hand, plant a flag in Oregon soil. At the same time, many new fiercely talented and totally dedicated locals began planting grapes and producing wines. By the 90's the whole world knew this terroir, and that this Oregon ground, with the right men and women, could - and does - make fantastic wine.
(mr stone - barrel dance 2-step a la AVNI)
Today, our wine culture is further transformed by a host of terrific newer faces making not just wines from Pinots noir and gris, but wines from a wide swath of grapes, and in many diverse places across the western side of the state. In addition to these new and exciting wines and grapes, we've seen an influx of great names from Burgundy coming onboard to add their accents to the shape of Oregon wine's overall unique, homegrown history.
At the same time, especially in the last decade, in a seeming geometric spiral, investment in Oregon vineyard land is at a fever pitch. As best we can tell, prices for Oregon vineyards are at the highest ever. It's an exciting and proud time for us all.
At E&R we've been happy to play witness to this progress and to be a provider to our customers. For E&R now nearly two decades along, many of the "newer" producers like Shea, Cristom, St. Innocent and Bergstrom now seem like old-timers; while some of the newest stars, such as Minimus, Walter Scott and Kelley Fox, are shining their lights brightly in true originality with complexity and class.
(lingua franca source material!)
To us, being able to help introduce a new names (but names not new to wine by a long-shot) is... well, really cool! So when we first met the team at Lingua Franca back in 2017 tasting with the two key members of Lingua Franca's team: Thomas Savre and Larry Stone, we knew formidable things were in the works. We happily tasted and chatted with them through their complete and compelling line-up. Theirs are superbly produced, exciting wines.
LINGUA FRANCA: METHODS & IDEALS
"All of our work is guided by respect for the environment, encouraging healthy diversity of life around and among us. We follow sustainable farming practices animated by bio-dynamic principles. Our wine-making methods are traditional, and we work with a light hand. We do not conform to a predetermined style, but allow the flavors and aromas of the place to express themselves in each bottling."
Here is no doubt the commitment, expertise and dedication the Lingua Franca team brings to its work. You'll find it in their wines, in their farming, inside their winery and within the Lingua Franca resume. Beside a great, talented staff, the Lingua Franca principals are in a peerless category.
Winemaker Thomas Savre - as he says, "French born. Oregon living." - knows his sh*t. From work experience at Evening Land here in Oregon, to Domaine Dujac in Morey-St-Denis, to arguably the most famous winery in all of Burgundy, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Thomas uses his experience and knowledge helping to craft the seven wines he makes at Lingua Franca.
With Northwest roots, Larry Stone, one of a rare few Master Sommeliers in America, is also the first American to win the "Best International Sommelier in French Wines" competition in Paris. You may know Larry from his work as restaurateur and sommelier at the Four Seasons, Charlie Trotter’s, and Rubicon Restaurant. As one of the principals, Larry participates in the work of every single aspect of the wine, from the vines, to farming, to the winery and wine-making.
Dominique Lafon is a Burgundian legend. A hands-on, hands-off winemaker, Dominique's been working and making wine in several places in Burgundy, as well as at his family property in Meursault, Domaine des Comtes Lafon, for thirty-five years. No newcomer to Oregon, his first trip here was in 1981. He brings a priceless heritage and understanding of wine and terroir along with awesome experience with both Chardonnay and Pinot noir, the cornerstone grapes of the Lingua Franca winery.
Keep in mind the work done at Lingua Franca thus far is a beginning: an amazing new winery, the development of their vineyards going forward, the work and experience gleaned each and every year, a learning curve on their terroir and how they wish to work within it. The Lingua Franca team is on its way, and we're certain there are even greater things in the future. Already the results are exciting.
Why not try a bottle or two?
When in stock, wines from this producer appear below. Click on each wine for more detail.