LANGE, Willamette Valley, OR

Don and Wendy Lange founded their eponymous winery and estate vineyard in 1987 with the purchase of a thirty-acre parcel in Northern Willamette Valley’s prestigious Dundee Hills. Their move north from Santa Barbara was precipitated by a few inspiring bottles from two of Oregon’s most iconic producers: Eyrie and Erath. A call to Dick Erath (whose phone number was listed on the back label) convinced the Langes to embark on a scouting trip.

Starting at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, they tasted their way up, stopping only when they reached the Dundee Hills.. The couple saw a real estate sign advertising a property suitable for farmland—the property’s elevation and aspect reminded Don of the Grand Cru vineyards of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or.

After producing their inaugural vintage in 1987 from pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot gris purchased from neighboring vineyards, the Langes planted their estate vineyard in 1988.