Red Wine

Beaux Frères

The Belles Soeurs Pinot Noir Unfiltered 2019, 75cl

Willamette Valley

Beaux Frères

The Belles Soeurs Pinot Noir reflects Beaux Frères’ philosophy, unchanged since its inception – to produce world-class wines that represent the uncompromising essence of Mother Nature.

For the 2019 harvest, she gave us a break from the hot summers of recent years, providing a beautiful growing season with even ripening and a decidedly nostalgic feel in Oregon, with sunny periods interspersed with refreshing rains, golden afternoons, and cool nights.

Vinification: The technique is characterized by minimal handling. Fermentation occurs spontaneously, using wild indigenous yeasts, and is managed traditionally with punch downs and pump overs by hand throughout the day (and night).

Pressing: We empty the tank into our press and the new wine is then transferred to French oak barrels. The proportion of new versus neutral barrels varies depending on the strength and concentration of the vintage, usually around 30 to 50%.

Transformation: Secondary fermentation occurs naturally at a rather slow pace compared to the ‘norm’; a long process that imparts greater flavor complexity, transforming young, raw wine into pure liquid beauty.

Aging and reductive winemaking: Pinot Noir is sensitive to oxygen, so we use a “reductive” approach in barrel, minimizing exposure to air. We avoid frequent racking, doing it only after 10 to 12 months into a settling tank before bottling. The absence of movement in our cool cellar and aging on lees allow for CO2 buildup, a natural preservative that reduces the need for sulfur. This process preserves the terroir character, delicate aromas, and purity of the fruit, and the quality of the wine.

“Our vineyard and production team do everything the hard way, the long way, by hand (…) These are exceptional wines that resonate with the stories within. Even the early results are impressive. You can feel the 16-hour days followed by laughter, cold beer, and bonfires (during harvest). You can hear the speakers blasting classics, Mariachi, jazz, hip hop, folk music — anything that fits the mood.” – Michael G. Etzel

Allergens information

Contains sulphites.

Beaux Frères

The Beaux Frères story began in 1986 when Michael G. Etzel, then a wine salesman in Colorado Springs, embarked on a road trip to Oregon with his young family after reading an enticing review of an ‘83 Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. They took a whimsical detour to check out a foreclosed 88-acre pig farm about 20 minutes from their destination and, upon seeing the idyllic hillside, cute little bungalow, and lush pasture at the top of the dirt road, began to wonder: Could a quiet, wholesome farm life growing grapes for the blossoming local wine scene be possible?

With an investment from Michael’s sister Pat and her husband, wine critic Robert Parker Jr., the dream began to take shape. (The name Beaux Frères refers to the French idiom for “brother in law.”) They moved to the farm the following summer, three little boys in tow, and Michael began his focused pursuit as a vineyard manager by planting only Pinot Noir and slowly transforming the farm into their jewel.

At the crest of the property, planting began in 1988 with five acres of vines tightly spaced at a density of about 2,200 plants to the acre. While planting The Beaux Frères Vineyard, Michael worked four harvests at Ponzi Winery. In 1990, he harvested his first crop and sold the grapes, except enough to make one barrel, to winemakers Ken Wright and Dick Ponzi. In 1991, renovation of the main barn made way for Beaux Frères Winery and the first estate vintages of The Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir followed soon after.

Nestled in the Willamette Valley’s Ribbon Ridge viticultural area (est. 2005) near Newberg, Oregon, the property remains a perfect fit as a new generation, led by Mike D. Etzel (Michael’s middle son), takes responsibility for stewarding the land and crafting the wines. More than thirty years since their serendipitous encounter with this landscape, three generations of the Etzel family now live on the Ribbon Ridge, diligently caring for this storied property.