Flâneur Wines is Breathing New Life Into an Iconic Landmark in the Northern Willamette Valley
An excerpt from a press release upon opening
Carlton, OR ♦ Flâneur Winery & Vineyards – located in the heart of the world-famous Willamette Valley wine region – is set to make history this summer by opening a full-service wine tasting and hospitality center in a rehabilitated 125-year-old Grain Elevator located just off the city square. Flâneur Wines at the Carlton Grain Elevator will open as a one-of-a-kind, multi-level facility that will offer exclusive wine tastings, wine & food pairings and elevated experiences to local wine collectors, connoisseurs and visitors traveling to Yamhill County. Its opening, scheduled for mid-summer 2019, is set to change the face of Carlton and the northern Willamette Valley by adding a truly unique, high-quality wine and food offering in a structure that has become iconic in the region’s long history and heritage.
“In approaching this once-in-a-lifetime project, my focus was respecting the historic architecture of the structure. When I purchased the property in 2013, it had sat empty and idle for the past seven years. The more a structure sits empty the more it degrades,” says Marty Doerschlag, Founder & Owner of Flâneur Wines. “With the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of this project, my hope is to breathe new life into this historic building to preserve and protect the local heritage and history of the region while embracing its identity as the wine capital of the Willamette Valley. With the opening of Flâneur Wines at the Carlton Grain Elevator, we are building a world-class wine and hospitality center that advances the entire community.”
Marty acquired the property from legendary winemaker, and local Carlton hero, Ken Wright. Doerschlag had grand visions of rehabilitating and repurposing the structure to transform it into a unique wine center for his rapidly growing winery, Flâneur Wines. He has spent the past 5 years meeting the rigorous demands of seismic upgrades, code and reinforcing the 110-foot-tall south tower to its newly designed and sound footing.
Throughout the years of construction, Doerschlag was able to upcycle reclaimed materials taken from the soon to open Flâneur Wines at the Carlton Grain Elevator to complete other Flâneur estate vineyard projects. Using the reclaimed lumber, he rehabilitated a 1920’s era barn – named the Blue Barn – in addition to creating an ingeniously designed vineyard perch – dubbed the Ghost Barn – with a roof that transforms into a bench that offers up to twelve guests one of the most majestic views of the Coast Range found in all of the Willamette Valley. The Blue Barn and Ghost Barn reside on Flâneur’s 54-acre estate, La Belle Promenade Vineyard, located in the renowned Chehalem Mountain and are available for private wine tastings, vineyard tours and private events.
When finished, Flâneur Wines at the Carlton Grain Elevator will advance the quaint, wine-centric town of Carlton by offering a multitude of high-quality wine and food options. Upon completion, its multi-level 2500 sq ft layout will be fully dedicated to high-end wine hospitality. At capacity, it will comfortably seat 50-75 wine lovers inside and an additional 50 guests outside in a variety of configurations and settings. Guests will experience casual wine tastings, curated private wine tastings & tours, bottle service, bottles to-go and a variety of culinary options
Although built in a 125-year-old rehabilitated and rustic structure, the interior aesthetic will consist of a unique series of creative vignettes executed by using iconic and compelling mid-century modern furniture. The intention is to create both warmth and whimsy in this one-of-a-kind space without losing the rustic authenticity of the structure. Thoughtful modern and cathedral design will intersect with first-rate wines and top-notch hospitality.
A full, chef-inspired commercial kitchen will fuel exciting culinary offerings. The new program will feature wine and food pairings, chef specials, and a variety of options that will serve to accentuate the already highly regarded wines of Flâneur. In addition to member events, private events, catering and other culinary offerings, the winery and hospitality team will be creating a series of themed wine dinners with notable and award-winning guest-chefs from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Outside to the south, a large, beautifully crafted wooden deck will open to a landscaped garden-like patio showcasing hand-placed 100-year-old reclaimed terra cotta tiles that were imported from the Burgundy region of France. Guests will leisurely enjoy bottle service and tastings al fresco next to the large fire features throughout. A wood-fired pizza oven will be available for special wine club celebrations and private events. Group wine tastings will also be available by appointment on the patio.
The local community has been very supportive of Doerschlag’s vision for the rehabilitation of the beloved Carlton Grain Elevator.
“Karen and I purchased the elevator in 2003 for the express purpose of controlling the eventual development of the property,” stated legendary winemaker Ken Wright. “Marty was exactly the person we hoped to find. The Doerschlags share our desire to improve and repurpose the beautiful and original agricultural buildings of Carlton. The elevator is a central and iconic structure. We utilized the north side of the elevator as a canvas to paint the historical mural that defines this community.”
Flâneur Wines at the Carlton Grain Elevator opened in the fall of 2019 to the public. We would love to help you plan your visit!
Please contact us today for inquiries regarding reservations and private events by calling (503) 899-4120 or by using the button below to email our team!
About the Carlton Grain Elevator
Historically, the Carlton Grain Elevator has been a fixture of the Carlton landscape since 1890 when it was first erected as the Madsen Grain Mill. For the next 115 years the Madsen Grain Elevator played an important role in the area by providing jobs for locals and a place for farmers to buy and sell seed. Throughout the decades the structure would expand. In the 1920’s and 1950’s its owners would add the South and North Towers to keep up with the rapidly growing business. In the 1970’s, local Carlton resident Bob Nistler, having worked at the Madsen Grain Mill his entire life, purchased the Madsen Family business along with the Madsen Grain Elevator.
Its lore and importance in the region would continue to grow until it ceased operation in 2003. That year Bob Nistler would sell the iconic structure to legendary winemaker and Carlton business owner Ken Wright. Under Ken’s ownership the building mostly sat idle and unused. Wright sold the northernmost structure, a one-time dairy, to Scott Paul Wines owner Cameron Healy who remodeled it as a local wine tasting room and office. That building, at 128 South Pine Street, is currently being utilized as the tasting room for Flâneur Wines until construction has concluded and they have moved into their new home at Flâneur Wines at the Carlton Grain Elevator.
About Flâneur Wines
Flâneur Winery & Vineyards was established in 2013 by former design and architecture firm owner Marty Doerschlag. Flâneur, a term used to describe leisurely wanderers in Paris in the mid-nineteenth century by renowned poet Charles Baudelaire, encapsulates the idea that the mind functions best at a slow pace, and that curiosity can uncover a life of significance. It was that aspirational, connoisseur’s approach to life that resonated with Marty and led him to establish roots in the wine industry in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Later, in 2016, Flâneur Wines advanced their winemaking program by adding Grant Coulter as the Winemaker & Director of Vineyards. Prior to joining the team, Grant spent nine years as the award-winning winemaker for Beaux Frères Winery where he developed a large following and crafted the #3 Wine in the World in Wine Spectator’s 2016 Top 100. His experience, along with his never-ending creativity and innovative approach, make him one of the most exciting rising stars in the Willamette Valley wine industry.
Now in their sixth year of production, Flâneur Winery & Vineyards has been built with a focus on innovation, authenticity and hospitality. Today they craft wines from 44 acres of organically dry-farmed estate vineyards; the Flanerie Vineyard in Ribbon Ridge and the La Belle Promenade Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains.
The 2019 opening of their transcendent hospitality center Flâneur Wines at the Carlton Grain Elevator will further advance their place as a premier winemaking operation and provider of truly bespoke hospitality in Oregon, and beyond.