It was a pleasure to catch up with Steve Lutz, owner and winemaker at Lenné Estate in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The last time we met was in real life at dinner in Chicago (with his stellar wines of course) during the fall of 2015. Although our recent phone call wasn’t as personal, our conversation, peppered with humor and authenticity, was just as lively and inspiring.
Steve Lutz – Photo Credit: Lenne Estate
“Steve Lutz, who learned to love wine while drinking it, entered the corporate world after college graduation. Soon thereafter, he resigned, moved to Napa Valley where he worked briefly in the cellar at Beringer Winery and at various tasting rooms, later becoming a manager of one. After a five-year stint with his own gourmet pizza business, Lutz moved to England, married his wife Karen and returned to Oregon where he started his wine career as a winery consultant and Vice President of marketing and administration for Anne Amie Vineyards. Lenné Estate, named after his father-in-law Len who helped with the down payment, was created in 2001.” Selected excerpt from “Lenné Estate – Another Reason to Love Pinot Noir” published December 2015
Lutz is proud that his steep, almost 21-acre hillside vineyard boasts the poorest soil in the region, but that’s exactly what he wants. The nutrient-poor peavine variety restrains the vigor of the vines so that their roots grow deep into the soil. Although plenty of vines have died, those who survived offer small, concentrated berries. Lutz’s philosophy is to maintain a “hands off approach” in order to put the spotlight on the distinctive terroir. Vineyards are dry farmed, there is “minimal oxidation, no centrifugal pumping and only 11 months in a maximum of 35% new oak” so that the wine can be bottled as soon as possible. In general, the Estate produces 1500-2000 cases per year. For more about the vineyards at Lenné Estate, please click here.
Known for his killer Pinot Noir, I had the opportunity to taste two that were sent as samples. Absolutely elegant, 2018 Lenné Estate Pinot Noir ($40) was packed with rich dark fruit on the nose and palate. Black cherries, currants, blackberries, and mocha were lifted with brilliant acidity and integrated tannins. 2017 Lenné Estate South Slope Pinot Noir ($55) was everything that I crave in a superior Pinot Noir. On the nose, I found sweet cherries, herbs, wet moss, juicy plums, current, chocolate shavings and vanilla. The fresh palate burst with notes of concentrated red fruit, pepper and snappy spice on a foundation of just-right acidity and moderate tannins. Lutz’s long term plans include producing a sparkling rosé of Pinot Noir (and I can’t wait to try it).
Steve Lutz is a huge proponent of wine education and this past year, despite the challenges, he “didn’t miss a beat.” Because Lenné Estates has a tasting room, he was able to offer virtual tastings in a small 6-bottle format. His short-term goals are to “lean in more on curated experiences for consumers but keep the casual/comfortable vibe” intact. Well received, he has also offered wine seminars, guided vineyard tours followed by a 1.5 hour tasting, exclusive curated tastings, and blind tastings during which Lenné Pinot Noirs are tasted alongside Pinots from Burgundy, New Zealand, Willamette Valley, and other renown regions.
I’m looking forward to visiting Steve at Lenné Estate where I’m guaranteed to find expressive, terroir-driven wines with generous sides of conversation, humor and inspiration. Perhaps I’ll see you there, too.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
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