Beaux Freres, the story

The concept for Beaux Frères Vineyard and Winery is to grow very ripe, healthy and intense fruit through low yields, non-irrigated vineyards and by allowing fermentation to capture the true reflection of the Beaux Frères Vineyard. In 1986 while on vacation, Michael Etzel discovered an 88-acre farm for sale located in the Northern Willamette Valley on Ribbon Ridge in Yamhill County, Oregon. After some deliberation, Michael purchased the farm with his brother-in-law, Robert Parker, Jr. Michael and his young family uprooted from Colorado and moved to the farm the following summer.

He began his focused pursuit as a vineyard manager by planting only Pinot Noir transforming the old pig and dairy farm into his jewel. While planting his own vineyard, Michael worked for four harvests at Ponzi Winery. In 1990, Michael harvested his first crop and sold the grapes, except enough to make one barrel, to winemakers Ken Wright and Dick Ponzi. In 1991 with the addition of a third partner Robert Roy, a renovation of one of the barns led to the creation of Beaux Frères Winery. With each new vintage, Michael's efforts unveil a Pinot Noir that is the purest expression of his vineyard.

Robert Parker, Jr. is one of three owners in Beaux Frères vineyard and winery. His interest in the property was spurred by his brother-in-law, Michael Etzel, who discovered the property in 1986. Robert lives in Maryland with his wife Pat, Michael's older sister, their daughter Maia, and various Basset hounds and Bulldogs. For twenty-four years, he has the written and published the independent wine journal The Wine Advocate and authored twelve best-selling books on wine. Robert never reviews Beaux Frères for his publications, but you will find his imprint in the winery's tasting notes, and more importantly, in the philosophy that governs Beaux Frères and its pursuit of excellence.

Robert Roy was approached in 1991 to become a partner in Beaux Frères, and as a result the original partners were able to realize their dreams to build a winery and make their own Pinot Noir. Robert's business and financial management expertise is an invaluable addition to Beaux Frères Winery.  Roy's success as a commercial developer and Civil Engineer for over 30 years has allowed him to pursue some of his own dreams. Roy has spent his spare time in Boca Raton, Florida enjoying sunny skies and year-round golfing. Not only is Roy an avid golfer, but also he is passionate about wine. Embracing his early interests in wine has led Roy to France, where he has developed friendships with a variety of producers and growers of some of the country's most distinguished entrepreneurs. Currently, with the family development firm in the hands of his two sons, Roy has more time to devote to his family, pursue his love of travel, and serve as Beaux Frères's Finance Director, in which his contribution continues to provide the necessary leadership to its financial success.

Beaux Freres, the wines

Beaux Freres Estate Vineyard

The Beaux Frères Vineyard is located on an 86-acre farm atop Ribbon Ridge in the Chehalem Valley near Newberg (Yamhill County, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA). Tall and stately Douglas fir trees cover nearly 50 acres of the farm, with homestead and winery buildings occupying another 6 acres. The vineyard is situated on 30 acres (24 of which are planted) of steep, contiguous southeast, south and southwest facing hillsides of Willakenzie soils at elevations of around 400 feet.  Planting began in 1988 with Pinot Noir vines planted tightly spaced at a density of about 2200 plants to the acre. Currently the vines range in age from 3 to 12 years and are a mixture of own-rooted Pommard and Wädenswil clones and various of the new Dijon clones on phylloxera-resistant rootstocks.  For 2004 only 1050 cases produced.

Belles Soeurs

2005 Beaux Freres Estate, tasting notes from the winery

After 16 vintages it would seem easy to compare the newborn 2005 with a previous year, but it is actually quite difficult. We have had vintages where, because of growing conditions, the wines are delicate, light, and feminine. And other years where, because of low yields and climatic circumstances , the wines are powerful, rich, and dense. 2005 appears to be a blend of both styles. The color is dark ruby with plenty of purple highlights. The nose is very extroverted and shows no intention of shutting down. At present the wine reveals pure blue and black fruits, (primarily black cherries, raspberries, and a hint of blackberries) along with tell-tale beet root, earth and herb notes. In the mouth the wine is rich and full bodied, yet displays a lighter, more delicate finish. It is somewhat of a paradox that such an intense wine could also be light on its feet, but that is the style of this vintage. We believe that this season.s unique growing conditions leading up to harvest gave us the ideal grapes to produce a wine with impeccable balance in acidity, alcohol, tannin, and depth of fruit. This wine should be relatively approachable in its youth, but because of its balance evolve for 10-12 more years. Over the last sixteen years, we have seen how well our wines have evolved. They have done what we have always hoped, improving in the bottle, which is no easy task. (2700 cases produced.)

2005 Beaux Freres Upper Terrace, tasting notes from the winery

The 2005 Upper Terrace has much of the Beaux Frères Vineyard.s character, but exhibits a deeper color, more depth, and even more color and richness with unmistakable floral and forest floor components that clearly suggest a grand cru red Burgundy from the Cotes de Nuits, notably Vosne-Romanee or Flagey-Echezeaux. We believe that this is because the Dijon clones, which are the best materials from Burgundy, seem to be best suited for Oregon's cooler climates. With these clones planted in the steeply sloped vineyard, this wine always comes across as meatier, richer, and fuller than the Beaux Frères Vineyard cuvee which is largely a blend of Pommard and Wadenswil clones. The wines from this vineyard exhibit a Burgundian aromatic profile and the vineyard tends to crop lower almost naturally, so the wine seems to have even more density, and richness than our Beaux Frères Vineyard. This 2005 will benefit from 1-3 years of bottle age, and be drinkable over the following 12-15+ years. (880 cases produced.)

2005 Beaux Freres Willamette Valley, tasting notes from the winery

This wine is deep ruby to the rim, with sweet black cherry and cassis fruit. Not quite the same degree of nuance of the Upper Terrace, or the earthy terroir-driven character of the Beaux Frères Vineyard. The Willamette Valley Cuvee is an up-front wine with medium to full body, beautifully pure fruit, supple tannin, and a good vibrant acidity giving the wine a freshness to go along with its fullness and palate-pleasing style. It should be consumed during its first 7-8 years of life. (1400 cases produced.)