First of five visits to wineries all located within 3 miles of McMinnville. Well the operations are there but of course not the vineyards. The first winery Brittan Cellars was nice enough to receive some wines from WineBid and glasses from Glasvin to share and use on this trip. Miriam Peterson was our host and did a great job showcasing the wines on their previous vintage showcase. All wines showed over 90 points.
CellarTracker! Brittan Cellars (Day 1: Visit 1: Willamette Valley)
Bonus wines I shared from Winebid.
- 2019 Tyler Pinot Noir Mae Estate – USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (8/10/2026)
Day 2: Shared with wine makers in Willamette. More Burgundy on this one. Tasted out of the Glasvin Fu. Rustic with iron, dust, dried cherries, floral, earth, mint, underbrush and violets. Medium plus finish. Love it. 94 points (94 points)
- 2024 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Fraenkle Cheshier Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (8/10/2026)
Day 2: Natural cork. Glasvin Fu. Fruit forward in stye with cherry, raspberries and boysenberries. Spices, floral, earth and menthol. Very fruit forward and very approachable young. Nice effort again from Paul Hobbs. (93 points)
- 2010 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir Gestalt Block – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
Glasvin Fu. This was rocking and wine of the tasting. Mushrooms, iron, raspberries, floral, funk and forest floor. While this will drink well for a few years drink now for maximum enjoyment. Tasted on day 2. (94 pts.)
- 2013 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir Basalt Block – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
Glasvin Fu. 1326 cases. $85. Crunchy fruits featuring cherry, raspberries and plums. Wafer, earth, minerals and dust. Medium finish. Really liked this and aging great. Tasted on day 2. (93 pts.)
- 2017 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir The Puncheon – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
Glasvin Fu. 13.3% A blend of many vineyards and featuring lavender, spices, scorched earth, minerals and cherry. Medium plus finish. Tasted on day 2. (92 pts.)
- 2018 Brittan Vineyards Chardonnay Estate – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
First official wine on the trip. Very good overall but would not be something I would purchase. 15% New French/85% Neutral oak. Lemon, spices, wood, floral and matchstick. Medium finish. 13.7% and drink now. $60.00 retail. (90 pts.)
- 2018 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir Gestalt Block – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
Day 2: Glasvin Fu. Natural cork. Purchased this for customers at Brittan on Sunday as I was arriving on Monday and said save half a bottle. They were most generous receiving some important wines and glasses for my week trip to Willamette. Ok this is really good right now and on day 2 I am sure even better than day 1. Medium purple. Rustic with iron, spices, minerals, dark cherry, soy, earth and underbrush. Medium plus finish. Should drink well through 2030. Excellent. 93 points (93 pts.)
- 2023 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir Basalt Block – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
Glasvin Fu. Tasted on day 3. Cherry, plum, spices, earth, floral and stone. Nice minerality and medium plus finish. Like it. (93 pts.)
- 2023 Brittan Vineyards Pinot Noir Gestalt Block – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
Glasvin Fu. While young shows promise. Raspberries, cherry, spices, floral, perfume and earth notes. Quite tannic and least approachable of the wines today. 91+ Tasted on day 3. (91 pts.)
Love their wines.