A Holiday Weekend in Wine Country

A Holiday Weekend in Willamette Valley Wine Country

November 2025

This blog post includes our Black Friday Weekend offers along with our suggested 2025 Thanksgiving Weekend 3-day itinerary complete with recommendations on where to stay, shop, dine, explore and of course taste wine! All are recommended by our team for their festive holiday allure, gracious hospitality and thoughtful curation.

The holidays are best celebrated at a slower pace—a philosophy we hold dear at Flâneur Wines. This Thanksgiving weekend, we invite you to embrace the art of the leisurely wanderer and explore Oregon wine country with intention, curiosity, and a glass (or several) in hand.

Whether you’re escaping the chaos of Black Friday or simply seeking a long weekend immersed in world-class wine, exceptional food, and the warmth of small-town hospitality, Carlton and the surrounding Willamette Valley have everything you need to slow down and savor the season.

Private Reserve Tasting of Flaneur Wines in Carlton Oregon

Exclusive Thanksgiving Weekend at Flâneur

Friday, November 28th through Sunday, November 30th

Join us at the Flâneur Grain Elevator Tasting Room for a number of very special, limited-time offerings:

Thanksgiving Weekend Flight | $40

Experience five remarkable wines that tell the story of our estate vineyards and the passage of time. We are pouring a flight of reserve wines that do not typically make it onto our Classic Tasting Flight. Many of these wines are member exclusive bottlings that we have unlocked to all for the holiday weekend for those visiting in person.

2020 Bon Vivant Sparkling Pinot Meunier
2019 La Belle Promenade Chardonnay
2017 Revelry Pinot Noir
2018 Cuvée Constantin Pinot Noir
2016 Bon Vivant Pinot Noir

Our Black Friday Offers:

In Person Only:

🎁 Build Your Own Gift Set for $10
🎁 20% Off 6-Packs of our special holiday selection of library and last chance wines. See wines below.
🎁 20% Off 3+ Magnums
🎁 $20 Off Gift Sets (excluding shipping orders)

Online Only:

🎁 20% Off 6 or more bottles of wines listed on our website. Use the code: GIVING2025 at checkout.

more details below!

Receive 20% Off When You Fill A 6-Pack Of Select Holiday Wines or 3+ Magnums:

Looking for the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life—or yourself? Create a custom 6-pack from our carefully curated Odds & Ends collection—rare library wines we’re pulling from our cellar specifically for these three days only—and receive 20% off when you fill a 6-pack. These are limited-production wines from exceptional vintages, many with only a handful of bottles remaining.

$20 Off Curated Gift Sets or Build Your Own for $10:

We are offering $20 off our curated 2-3 bottle gift sets when purchasing them in person (excluding orders that need to be shipped). Or we invite you to curate your own gift set for just $10.

Can’t Make It In Person? Receive 20% Off Online Orders of 6+ Bottles:

We are extending 20% off all wines listed on our website with the promotion code: GIVING2025 for Black Friday Weekend.

WIne Shop

Your Holiday Weekend Wine Country Roadmap

We’ve mapped out the perfect three-day itinerary that takes you through the heart of Willamette Valley wine country, with thoughtful stops for wine, food, and local holiday charm.

Where to Stay

Set your home base in Carlton or McMinnville with quaint and beautiful small town charm in the heart of wine country.

Inn On The Ground – Boutique accommodations with sophisticated wine country style
The Atticus Hotel – Modern comfort meets small-town charm in McMinnville

Above Photo by Inn The Ground

Day One: Friday, November 28th – Discover Carlton

Morning: Caffeinate & Stroll

Start your day at The Carlton Bakery – a wine country classic for fresh-baked goods and excellent coffee.

Take a leisurely stroll down Carlton’s charming Main Street, then shop local at the boutique at Park and Main for curated gifts and local treasures.

Morning Wine Tasting:

Abbott Claim – Elevated tasting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with delightful table side caviar service. Taste in their caves with a personal wine expert to guide you through their wines.

Lunch:

Blind Pig – Laid back and delicious! This local favorite serves up truffle burgers, banh mi, bulgogi fries and a solid wines list in a relaxed atmosphere.

Afternoon Wine Tasting

Make your way to Flâneur Wines to experience our exclusive Thanksgiving Weekend Flight in the historic Grain Elevator. Take in the cozy charm of the century old building while you enjoy an educational tasting of our Chehalem mountains and Ribbon Ridge Estate Wines. Build your custom holiday wine gift set from our rare library collection.

Evening: Dinner

End your Carlton day at Hayward Restaurant – farm to table concept with a creative twist offering thoughtful, ingredient-driven cuisine located downtown Carlton.

Or…

Make a detour to the Stillwater Holiday Market in McMinnville for local vendors, festive finds, and holiday cheer before or after dinner.

Above Photos by Hayward

Day Two: Saturday, November 29th – A Day in McMinnville

Morning

Start fresh with coffee at Alchemist Jam – this hidden gem making home made jam along with exceptional coffee and sourdough pastries. You can find them in a hole in the wall shop downtown McMinnville. Pro Tip: get there early before things sell out. And, ask for some jam in your latte.

Late Morning: Shop Third Street

Wander Third Street in McMinnville for holiday gifting and décor. Third street is filled with hidden treasures, but we’ve listed some stops we consider Mcminnville Must-go’s:

Mes Amies – Women owned lifestyle shop in Oregon wine country. Features an extensive range of independently designed women’s clothing, natural fibers.
Nash & Nichol – A new modern mercantile in the heart of historic Downtown McMinnville. Offering home decor, gifts, furniture, clothing and everything you need to inspire.
La Belle Casa – Mom & Daughter owned Gift Shop with curated holiday décor, clothing for babies to adults and elegant home furnishings.

Lunch

Choose between:

Cypress – Mediterranean-inspired flavors located in the Atticus Hotel downtown McMinnville.
Pura Vida Cocina – Fresh, vibrant Latin cuisine on 3rd street downtown Carlton. The guava margarita is to die for.

Afternoon

Relax and explore McMinnville at your leisure, or head back to your accommodations to recharge before the evening festivities.

Hot Tip: If it’s the fully immersive Wine Country experience you’re looking for, stop in for a pint at The Bitter Monk, located right in the middle of all of the downtown action. Chances are you’ll run into a winemaker or ten – this is a hot spot for all of the wine industry locals, day or night.

Evening: Choose Your Adventure

Option 1: Head to Historic Third Street in McMinnville for the Santa Parade & Tree Lighting at 5pm. Watch Santa arrive on a fire truck and witness the community tree lighting—a beloved tradition that kicks off the holiday season.

Option 2: If a quieter craft is more your speed, join the Winter Wreath Workshop at Mac Market (5-7pm) to create your own festive décor.

Dinner

Grab a New York-style slice at Honey Pie Pizza at Mac Market – casual, delicious, and the perfect end to your McMinnville day. Be sure to grab a cocktail at Day by Day Bar and check out the Well Spent Market while you’re there for the imported and domestic goods like cheeses, dry goods, olive oils and more.

Late Night

It wouldn’t be a proper trip to McMinnville if you didn’t hit up HiFi Wine Bar at least once!

Every Saturday night from 6:00-10:00pm their guest DJs light up the room with soulful sounds and good vibes, paired with an exceptional rotating wine list, a pool table and hospitality that will meet you wherever you are on your wine journey. A perfect place to end a night in Willamette Valley Wine Country.

Above Photo by HiFi Wine Bar

Day Three: Sunday, December 1st – Wine Country Tour

Sunday is a day for wanderers—for leisurely reflection and experiencing life at the pace it was meant to be savored. Embrace your inner flâneur as you meander through the valley, letting curiosity guide you from vineyard to vineyard, discovering wines that tell stories of time and place. These wineries are some of the Flâneur team’s personal favorites, and for good reason.

Morning

Fuel up at Alea at Mac Market for one of their signature breakfast sandwiches and seasonal treats—the new hot spot in McMinnville’s craft district.

Late Morning: Head to Dundee Hills

Bergström Wines – Experience Dundee Hills classics from one of Oregon’s most respected family wineries. Their estate Pinot Noirs showcase the region’s signature terroir.

Midday: Provisions

Soter Vineyards – We recommend booking their signature Provisions Tasting including still and sparkling wines paired with a stunning lunch. You won’t be disappointed.

Afternoon

Patricia Green Cellars – Honor a legacy of single-vineyard estate Pinot Noirs from one of the valley’s early pioneering women winemakers now crafted in her honor. The down to earth hospitality and wines speak for themself.

Evening: Dinner & Music

Dinner at Grounded Table – McMinnville’s culinary destination for innovative, locally sourced cuisine.

Late Night

Cap off your weekend at Thistle Restaurant for Patrick’s signature and classic cocktails and late-night fun.

Above Photo by @cheryljuetten & Soter Vineyards

Festive Community Events

Carlton Events: The City of Carlton is hosting festive community celebrations:

Tree Lighting at Ladd Park – December 6, 5-6pm
Santa Comes to Town – December 13, 10am-2pm
Free Holiday Crafting for Kids – December 22, 1-3pm

McMinnville Holiday Happenings: Merry McMinnville transforms the town into a winter wonderland:

Santa Parade & Tree Lighting – November 29 at 5pm on Historic Third Street – Watch Santa arrive on a fire truck and witness the community tree lighting
Glide & Gather Winter Market – November 29-December 22 (Fridays 4-8pm, Saturdays 12-6pm, Sundays 12-4pm) at the OMI Parking Lot. Ice skating, local vendors, and hot cocoa await!
AAPI Holiday Market – December 6th, 5-8pm at Mac Market

Visit Carlton Events

Explore the full calendar at Visit Carlton for additional happenings throughout the holiday season, including Ladies’ Night specials and Small Business Saturday celebrations.

Kid-Friendly Activities Throughout the Weekend

Traveling with young ones? The Glide & Gather Winter Market features ice skating, local vendors, and holiday cheer (November 29-December 22, Friday-Sunday in McMinnville).

Plan Your Visit

Flâneur Wines
168 S Pine Street, Carlton, OR 97111
Open Thursday-Monday, 11am-5pm
Book Your Tasting | (503) 899-4120

The holidays are meant to be savored, not rushed. We look forward to welcoming you to the Grain Elevator this Thanksgiving weekend, where exceptional wines, warm hospitality, and the spirit of the flâneur await.

Remember: Life functions best at a slower pace. Curiosity leads to significance. And great wine is always worth the journey.

Tag us in your wine country adventures! Follow @flaneurwines on Instagram.

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Celebrating Nouveau Day: A Toast to Tradition and Our Third Gamay Vintage

November 2025

Every third Thursday in November, a joyful ritual unfolds across the wine world. At the stroke of midnight, bottles are uncorked, celebrations commence, and the cry echoes from Beaujolais to Portland: Le Nouveau est arrivé! Nouveau Day is here.

This year, as we craft our third vintage of Gamay Noir from our La Belle Promenade Vineyard, we find ourselves drawn deeper into this centuries-old tradition that celebrates transition – from harvest’s intensity to winter’s quiet, and the simple pleasure of gathering together.

Closeup of a Flâneur La Belle Promenade 2024 Gamay Noir botttle label

The Story of Nouveau Day

The tradition traces back to the 1800s, when Beaujolais vignerons would gather after the exhausting harvest season to toast their labors with the season’s first wine—young, vibrant, and bursting with the energy of freshly-picked grapes. What began as a local custom evolved into a global phenomenon. In 1985, the French government officially designated the third Thursday of November as the release day for Beaujolais Nouveau, transforming a regional celebration into an international moment of revelry.

The timing is serendipitous. In the United States, Nouveau Day arrives just one week before Thanksgiving, making these youthful, food-friendly wines the perfect companion to our holiday tables. It’s a celebration of gratitude, of the year’s harvest, and of the simple joy of a well-made glass of wine shared among friends.

Why Gamay? Why Here?

When considering what to plant at La Belle Promenade, we think about more than just varietals—we think about the conversation between vine and soil, between place and expression. Gamay Noir found its voice in our volcanic soils.

We’re honored that this dialogue has resonated beyond our estate—VinePair recently recognized our efforts by naming us among the Best Gamays from the Willamette Valley in 2024.

The Willamette Valley sits on a similar latitude as Burgundy, France—both regions blessed with that elusive quality that allows finicky, expressive grapes to thrive. While the parallel isn’t exact (we’re at 45 degrees, Burgundy slightly north), what matters more is our shared cool-climate sensibility. The maritime influence from the Pacific, our volcanic Jory soils, the interplay of warm days and cool nights—these elements create a terroir that speaks the same language as the great vineyards of France, even as it articulates something distinctly Oregonian.

Gamay thrives in this environment. At La Belle Promenade, our Gamay vines are rooted between 700 and 850 feet in elevation, where northeastern and southwestern exposures bring balance and nuance. The volcanic soils—ranging from fractured basalt to deep Saum soils—add layers of complexity to each vintage. This is terroir speaking through the grape: mineral, floral, alive.

Putting harvested grapes into a larger container

Crafting Nouveau: The Art of Carbonic Maceration

The magic of Nouveau wines lies in their method. We employ partial carbonic maceration—a technique where whole grape clusters ferment in a sealed, carbon dioxide-rich environment. This process is a study in chemistry and intuition.

Inside each intact berry, intracellular fermentation begins without the intervention of yeast, yes, you read that right: Fermentation begins inside the berry. As the cells inside each individual grape morph, sugars and malic acid begin breaking down while synthesizing a range of aromatic compounds. It’s this esterification—the creation of fruity esters during carbonic fermentation—that gives Nouveau wines their distinctive ethereal quality. Think of those bright notes of red berries, that subtle whisper of bubble gum or kirsch, the lifted floral aromatics that seem to dance above the glass. These are the fingerprints of carbonic maceration, the signature of a wine made to be enjoyed in its exuberant youth.

Our approach is both spirited and intentional. We use 100% whole clusters, native yeast fermentation, and neutral oak to let the fruit and terroir shine through. The wine is meant to be drunk young—ideally within two years—when it’s at its most vivacious.

Flâneur Gamay Noir: A Love Letter from the Chehalem Mountains to Beaujolais

2025 marks our third Gamay vintage, and with each release, we’ve grown more confident in our understanding of how this noble grape expresses itself in our corner of the Willamette Valley.

Bright red fruit—juicy cherries and raspberries—takes center stage, complemented by earthy, mineral notes that ground the wine’s exuberance. The whole cluster fermentation and partial carbonic maceration create a playful balance of fruit and subtle tannins. It’s both spirited and profound, juicy and high-toned, with layers of vibrant red fruit punctuated by that distinctive florality that makes Gamay so compelling.

This is an easy yet sophisticated drinking wine. Light on its feet, refreshing when slightly chilled, it captures that delightful tension between elegance and approachability. It’s a wine that invites you to slow down, to wander through flavor the way a flâneur wanders through Life—with curiosity, with presence, with joy.

Nouveau Day Meets Thanksgiving: Perfect Pairings

One of the great pleasures of Nouveau wines is their versatility at the table, particularly the Thanksgiving table. The bright acidity, red fruit profile, and subtle earthy notes make Gamay a natural companion to the season’s flavors.

Turkey: Whether white meat or dark, Gamay’s fruit-forward character and gentle tannins complement both. The wine’s acidity cuts through rich gravies while its red berry notes echo the cranberry sauce.

Stuffing & Dressing: The herbal, earthy qualities in our Gamay mirror the sage, thyme, and herbs that season traditional stuffing. The wine’s structure stands up to sausage-based dressings while maintaining enough delicacy for lighter preparations.

Roasted Root Vegetables: The earthy notes in the wine find kinship with roasted carrots, parsnips, and squash. The wine’s acidity balances any sweetness in glazed or caramelized preparations.

Cranberry Dishes: Those bright cherry and raspberry notes in the wine create a beautiful harmony with cranberry sauce, whether jellied or freshly made with orange zest.

Green Bean Casserole: The wine’s lightness and acidity cut through the creaminess while its fruit notes complement the vegetables.

Serve it slightly chilled—around 55-60°F—to accentuate its refreshing qualities and make it even more food-friendly.

Arden dinner table full of plate of food

Celebrating with Arden

This Nouveau Day, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Arden in Portland, where the Flâneur team will be sharing our 2024 vintage alongside barrel samples of our 2025 Gamay, offering a rare chance to taste the evolution, to see how this grape continues to reveal itself through our terroir, and to celebrate the harvest with fellow wine lovers. To join us you can find tickets HERE.

There’s something profound about tasting a wine that was just picked weeks ago—it’s alive in a way that aged wines, for all their complexity, cannot replicate. Nouveau wines capture a moment in time, a snapshot of the vintage, the raw expression of place before time softens and transforms it.

The Spirit of Flâneur

As we gather to celebrate Nouveau Day, we’re reminded of why we chose our name. The flâneur—that leisurely wanderer of 19th century Paris—understood that the best discoveries come when we slow down, when we observe with curiosity rather than rushing toward a destination.

That same spirit animates our winemaking. We dry-farm organically. We allow native yeasts to guide fermentation. We craft wines that reflect place and vintage rather than impose a predetermined style. And we make wines like our Gamay Noir—wines that invite exploration, that reward attention, but that also simply delight when you’re looking for an easy, sophisticated glass to share.

This Nouveau Day, whether you’re joining us at Arden or opening a bottle at your own table, we invite you to wander through the flavors of our third Gamay vintage. Taste the volcanic soils of the Chehalem Mountains, the cool Pacific influence, the careful work of hands that tend these vines throughout the year.

Raise a glass to tradition, to terroir, to the joy of harvest. Le Nouveau est arrivé.

Only 30 cases of our 2024 La Belle Promenade Gamay Noir are left. Join us at Arden in Portland for Nouveau Day celebrations, or visit our Carlton Grain Elevator tasting room to experience our portfolio of estate wines.

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¡Salud! Pinot Noir Auction Lot

¡Salud! Pinot Auction Cuvée

E-Auction Package #17

Bidding is Open | July 15th – 17th

As a ¡Salud! Vintners Circle member, we are proud to offer an exceptional, handcrafted ¡Salud! Cuvée Pinot Noir in this year’s Summertime ¡Salud! E-Auction and raise vital funds for accessible, affordable healthcare for the dedicated vineyard stewards and their families. ¡Salud! Services brings no-cost preventative medical, dental and vision directly to the vineyards. With bilingual, bicultural providers, ¡Salud! bridges gaps in healthcare accessibility, eliminating obstacles such as transportation, language and cost. We hope you’ll join us in honoring the men and women who tend the vines and take part in Summertime ¡Salud! The E-Auction is live July 15th-17th, 2025.

Salud Summer E-Auction Info Graphic for flaneur wines

Bid Now

Watch The Video Below To Learn More About Our Vintner’s Circle Cuvée Pinot Noir.

Featuring Flâneur Winemaker, Anthony Sereni

“Crafted exclusively for the ¡Salud! Pinot Auction, this limited release honors the hardworking vineyard stewards and the unique terroir of our two dry-farmed estate vineyards. Spanning 50 acres, these vines produce a wine with vibrant aromas and a refined texture, reflecting the character of the land and the people who tend it. Only 5 cases made — a rare opportunity to own a piece of our vineyard’s story.”
– Anthony Sereni

MORE DETAILS

Vineyards: 50% from our Ribbon Ridge AVA estate, Flânerie Vineyard, and 50% from our Chehalem Mountains AVA estate, La Belle Promenade Vineyard. Both sites are dry-farmed in house following organic practices.

Aging: 11 months in 50% new French oak & 50% neutral.
Anticipated release: January 2026

BOTTLING AUGUST 2025
PH 3.61 | TA 5.4 g/l
13.6% ALCOHOL
19% WHOLE CLUSTER
NATIVE YEAST FERMENTATION
UNFINED & UNFILTERED

2024 Harvest Notes

by Winemaker, Anthony Sereni

“The 2024 growing season began with bud break at our Flânerie Vineyard in early June, followed by a brief rain. Bud break at our La Belle Promenade Vineyard (LBP) occurred a little after mid-June. We had an excellent fruit set, with the rain event fortunately missing bud break at both sites. The following months brought good sun and heat accumulation, interspersed with light rain, which promoted nutrient mobility in the soil and kept the vines healthy during some heat events. Although high disease pressure was reported throughout the valley, our Director of Vineyards, Jaime Cantu, implemented a careful and effective spray program.

In early September, we paused harvest preparations to bottle most of our 2023 vintage. Once the wines were in bottle and shipped off-site for storage, we began cleaning tanks, hoses, sorting equipment, the press, and floors. Our first vineyard visits with the interns focused on teaching them fruit sampling and familiarizing them with the areas and blocks of our two sites. The crew seemed to enjoy the vineyard, though it involved a bit more walking than they anticipated. Our sites are steep in some areas! Sunscreen and wide-brim hats were essential on those days!

In an unexpected turn, our first ready-to-harvest fruit wasn’t for sparkling wine. Instead, it was some young vine Chardonnay from LBP. Young vines often ripen earlier than neighboring older vines, and I’m eager to see the character that these new Chardonnay blocks will bring. The Flânerie Chardonnay also ripened early, taking on an intriguing personality as the vines reach their sixth leaf. This wine has a noticeably different texture from the LBP Chardonnay, so I’ve been treating it slightly differently in the cellar to highlight the unique quality of this Ribbon Ridge site.

As fermentations began, the crew had less time to assist with fruit sampling, so I started waking up early to pull samples while the vineyard crew harvested. Those early mornings brought some breathtaking sunrises at LBP—a beautiful reminder to pause and appreciate the natural splendor of the site before heading back to the winery.

With wines in barrel and the cellar season on the horizon, I can undoubtably say this vintage is shaping into something truly special and I look forward to sharing the wines with you in the next few years.

My Favorite Ferments:
Block 23 is one of my favorite blocks of Pinot Noir from LBP. This year, it fermented in a tank named, “Abbi”, with about 30% whole clusters. It’s always a favorite, but the fermenter named, “Captain Cedar”, might be a little more special. This wooden fermenter held fruit from Blocks 21 and 22, also with about 30% whole cluster. The wine has great acidity, concentrated fruit, and a generous, thick texture. I can’t wait to blend with these barrels!

Special Shout Out:
This vintage was made possible thanks to the incredible help of our interns, Eli and Carson, and our stellar Cellar Assistant, Ellen. Their hard work, humor, and dedication through long hours were invaluable. And, of course, without the heart of our vineyard, there would be no wine. Huge thanks to Jaime Cantu, our Director of Vineyards, and Juan Corona, our Vineyard Assistant, for their expert stewardship, bringing our vines to the finish line in pristine condition, both in looks and taste!

By Director of Winemaking, Anthony Sereni

Commemorative 2024 Flâneur Wines Harvest Shirt

$45 Retail | Wine Club Members, enjoy your discount!

Available online and in the tasting room while inventory lasts!

Each harvest, we design a limited-edition t-shirt to honor the vintage, usually reserved just for our team. This year, we’re switching it up and offering 50 exclusive shirts to you, our loyal Flâneur fans! Inspired by band tour tees, the 2024 edition lists the harvest dates for each varietal from our La Belle Promenade and Flânerie Vineyards on the back, with our logo on the front left chest. See Design Below!

PURCHASE SHIRT!

Design of 2024 Flaneur Wines Harvest T-Shirt

2024 Harvest Photo Album

The 2024 Harvest Crew: Left to Right
Marty Doerschalg, Owner & Founder
Juan Corona, Vineyard Assistant
Ellen Grey, Cellar Associate
Carson Davis, Harvest Intern
Anthony Sereni, Director of Winemaking
Eli, Harvest Intern
Jaime Cantu, Director of Vineyards
The Best Winery Dog: Mulligan

valves and winemkaing tools hanging in winery

Jaime Cantu In The Vineyard Harvesting Grapes

Anthony working at the winery with a Europress

2023 Growing Season Leading to Harvest

Cellar & Harvest Update: 9/7/2023

Blending, Bottling & Prepping for Harvest

Book our new Cellar and Grain Elevator Tour and Tasting Adventure for an exclusive behind the scenes look into our 2023 harvest happenings!

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Prepping For Harvest: 2022 Blending & Bottling

by assistant winemaker, Anthony Sereni

“Blending the 2022 vintage was a lot of fun! I make up some composite samples based on the notes Grant and I take while tasting through the cellar. We each come up with a few options for each blend and taste them blind before deciding on the final composites. The quality of the wines was so high in 2022 we really got to focus on the smallest details. After blending is finished I start marking barrels for which blend they’ll be included in. I then look at the wine chemistry of the composite lots to be sure the wines are in a good place to be moved. Tanks, equipment and hoses are thoroughly cleaned in preparation for moving the wine. We try to minimize the amount of oxygen the wine is exposed to and use nitrogen gas to displace the wine out of barrels and into tanks. This method also does not generate any heat with a pump and helps keep the wine smelling and tasting as fresh as possible. Once the wines are blended we check the chemistry again and make sure all our packaging supplies arrive on time to get the wine safely in bottle and into storage before release. It’s a great sigh of relief once the wine is in bottle, another vintage encapsulated and ready to begin a life outside of our hands.

The time between the last bottling run of the year (early August) and harvest is usually a great time of calm, organization, and deep cleaning. And then it’s off to the races as fruit begins to ripen and we start the process all over again! We are eager to welcome the 2023 vintage in the door.”

– Assistant Winemaker, Anthony Sereni

The 2023 Growing Season Leading to Harvest

by Director of Winemaking & Viticulture, Grant Coulter

“The winter of 2023 started with usual Willamette Valley rains. As winter progressed, cold, late winter fronts brought more than a few inches of snow. The cool weather then continued and thoughts of a late spring persisted until, boom! The warm weather came on fast starting in April and went from cool 50’s right up into the 80’s overnight. The vines quickly woke from their winter slumber and pushed through bud break and right into flowering in record time. Our Vineyard Manager, Jaime, and his crew spent many long hours working in our two estates, Flânerie Vineyard (Ribbon Ridge) and La Belle Promenade Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains), to keep up with the explosive growth. With ample yields we decided to dropped grapes to achieve the perfect balance of fruit in the vineyards. Warm days continued and looking at the growing season degrees of years past, this year is tracking closely with the 2018 growing season. Starting in the first week of August we witnessed the first berries beginning to color up harkening the feel of an early harvest. A week of 90 degrees followed but cool overcast mornings have slowed progress of ripening allowing the fruit to soak in the final days of summer before harvesting. August 30^th, marked our first pick of the vintage starting with Pinot Meunier for our sparkling wine program. Now with all the fruit dedicated to our 2023 sparkling wines in the door, we patiently wait for our vineyards to tell us it’s time to GO! We have a team of three fantastic interns helping Anthony (Assistant Winemaker) and I in the cellar this harvest. We are currently sampling grapes from across our two estates checking on sugars and ripeness, we will be in the thick of harvest any day now. It’s an exciting time here in Carlton, Oregon with the smell of harvest in the air – come check out the action!”

– Grant Coulter, Director of Winemaking & Viticulture

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2023 Harvest Interns: Brian, Darren & Ellen in La Belle Promenade Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains AVA)

Sampling fruit at La Belle Promenade Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains AVA)

Sampling Chardonnay for sugar levels at La Belle Promenade Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains AVA)

Flanerie Vineyard Ribbon Ridge AVA Oregon Flâneur

Early Morning Harvest Pick at La Belle Promenade Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains AVA)

Harvesting grapes on a foggy day at Flâneur Wines vineyards

Early Morning Harvest Pick at La Belle Promenade Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains AVA)

Oregon Wine Month: Quick Facts, Stats and Tips

Happy Oregon Wine Month!

Oregon is home to some of the most unique terroir in the world and although we think it’s worth celebrating more than one month a year, we will gladly take the month of May as ours! Today we are digging into some quick facts, stats and pro tips to pull out at your next wine and dine party.

Landscape view of the Flaneur Wines vineyard

Oregon Wine Facts, Stats, & Tips

Fact #1: The Willamette Valley typically sees 30-40” of rainfall per year.

Fact #2: The first Pinot Noir planting was by David Lett in 1965.

Fact #3: Oregon has some of the strictest labeling laws requiring that 100% of grapes must be from Oregon to declare country, state or county on a label and 95% of grapes must be from the AVA declared on the label.

Stat #1: 19,030 acres of Oregon’s 27,202 is Pinot Noir.

Stat #2: There are 931 vineyards in the Willamette Valley, as of this May, 2022.

Stat #3: Oregon accounts for 52% of the United State’s Biodynamic Certified Vineyards.

Tyson’s Pro Tip #1: If you aren’t normally a “Chardonnay drinker”, I highly encourage you to taste Oregon Chardonnay. Our style is much different than much of the world and may change your mind!

Tyson’s Pro Tip #2: Oregon leads the nation in independently owned vineyards/wineries. By drinking Oregon wine, you are supporting your fellow Oregonians and economy directly.

Oregon’s Largest AVA, The Willamette Valley

Surrounded on either side by mountains and near the Pacific Ocean, the Willamette Valley is ideal for growing multiple grape varieties including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gamay, Riesling, Pinot Meunier and others!

At about 150 miles long spanning from Portland to Eugene, the Willamette Valley is home to 10 sub AVAs all recognized to be unique growing regions differentiated by soil, microclimate, and location. These sub AVAs include… Chehalem Mountains (home to our La Belle Promenade Vineyard) Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, Laurelwood District, Lower Long Tom, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge (home to our Flanerie Vineyard), Tualatin Hills, Van Duzer Corridor, and Yamhill-Carlton.

Environmental Stewardship in Oregon

The state of is a leader in sustainable farming, environmental preservation, and responsible winemaking. Here at Flâneur, we take pride in our organic farming practices. Both our La Belle Promenade Vineyard and Flanerie Vineyard are organically farmed meaning we only use organic products, avoid chemical sprays, and promote the natural ecosystems within our vineyard to maintain our vine and soil health for generations to come.

Additionally, we are members of the Deep Roots Coalition – committed to farming and sourcing grapes that are not irrigated in the Willamette Valley. Consequently, this means we dry-farm our vineyards to preserve the water table

Cheers to Oregon Wine Month!

We hope you celebrate the month of May with a glass of Oregon wine. Drink Oregon wine and join us in supporting small businesses, sustainable practices and beautiful wines made with purpose from a truly special place.

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Authors:
Tyson Theese | Tasting Room & Hospitality Manager
Amelia Dobbes | Director of Marketing

Sources:
www.willamettewines.com
www.oregonwine.org

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Q&A with Team Flâneur

Here are Flâneur Wines we consider ourselves to be flâneurs at our core, passionate artisans joined together by the desire to slow down, observe the world, and create delicious wines. Whether it’s on your next visit to our tasting room or right here in our Q&A, we invite you to get to know our team!

These connoisseurs of life will be sharing their knowledge throughout the year as the collective authors of our 2022 blog posts. Their experience spans from years of winemaking, Michelin star hospitality, impressive wine certifications, international travel, and quite literally, entire life times in the wine industry.

Enjoy getting to know the team through the below Q&A. Stay tuned for more to come!

From Winemaking & Viticulture to Marketing, Sales & Hospitality, Meet the Flâneur Wines Team…

Grant Coulter

Winemaker & Director of Vineyards

Q&A with Flâneur Wines’ Grant Coulter

Q: How did you get started in the wine industry?
A: There was not a singular moment that catalyzed my decision to be a winemaker but more a confluence of many factors in my life that lead me into winemaking. My grandparents farmed cotton in the central valley of California and my great grandparents were plum and cherry farmers in the Russian River area, so farming was something that existed in my family lineage. I remember being in the fields outside my grandparents house and realizing that farming was a profession. My parents were wine lovers and would often take my Sister Kate and I up to the Sonoma and Napa area when we were kids. I remember haunting the halls of Franciscan, Frogs Leap and Iron Horse while they tasted wines.

Fast forward to my college years, after a couple of failed attempts at a major and fateful call from Dad asking exactly what I was up to, I did some soul searching and realized that winemaking was an actual profession I could pursue. I fell in love with the nexus of science, agriculture, art and food. The rest is a story that is still being written.

Q: In a few sentences, how do you define your winemaking style and philosophy?
A: I make wines I want to drink. Using the best raw materials I use the natural elements of the yeast, bacteria, skins and stems in the hope of creating wines that are multidimensional, thought provoking and most of all delicious.

Q: What is your favorite thing about working with our La Belle Promenade Vineyard?
A: I love its flexibility, LBP is such an incredible Vineyard with soils, aspect and climate perfectly suited to grow world class grapes. I can play around with all kinds of different fermentation techniques and extraction methods and I know at the end of the day I will always make something delicious. It’s like cooking with the best ingredients.

Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I love a good building project, If I had more time I would love to design and build a house by myself.

Q: What is your advice for someone thinking about embarking on a career as a winemaker?
A: Try to find work with wineries /growers you respect and watch and listen. This will help formulate the ideas and questions you want to answer over the course of your career. And away remember that growing and making the wine is easy, now selling it, that’s another story…

Anthony Sereni

Assistant Winemaker

Q&A with Flâneur Wines’ Anthony Sereni

Q: What do you consider to be the last remarkable Willamette Valley wine vintage and why?
A: 2019 – the wines are so pretty with their subtle floral aroma, balanced earthy notes, high toned fruit, and really enjoyable acidity. But what really excites me are the hidden layers which unfold with proper cellaring. The delicate textures are dynamic and intriguing. These wines showcase some of the best the Willamette Valley has to offer.

Q: What makes our portfolio of wines Flâneur unique to the Willamette Valley?
A: I think our estate vineyards have their own unique story to tell providing two strong counterpoints in wine style. LBP Pinot Noir is floral and fruity, high elevation with lots of dimensions and subtle textural elements. We’re also producing some vibrant and memorable sparkling wines from this site. Additionally, we’re making Aligoté, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, and soon Gamay, something exciting and rare varietals for the valley.

Flanerie is planted East to West, unique in the Willamette Valley. It’s one of the reasons the Pinot from this site is ‘in your face’ in the best way. Flanerie is meaty, earthy, with a different fruit profile (thimbleberry, ripe plum, strawberry, and currants), and texture which welcomes a different style of food.

Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I love Rollerblading! I’m pretty good; it’s been a love of mine since I was small.

Q: What is your advice for someone thinking about embarking on a career as a winemaker?
A: There’s lots learn and a science based foundation will go a long way. Go travel and work harvest in a variety of places. This will allow you to taste a huge variety of wine styles and find what speaks to you. Traveling is essential: get out there and enjoy your own flâneur!

Jaime Cantu

Vineyard Manager

Q&A with Flâneur Wines’ Jaime Cantu

Q: How did you get started in the wine industry?
A: Growing grapes didn’t start as a passion for me; at first, it was just a job. But the more I did it and the more I learned, the more I became personally invested in the land and the vines. Last year was my 32^nd vintage. With 32 years of industry experience, I’m fortunate to have worked with several well-recognized growers and winemakers.

Q: What is our farming philosophy?
A: Our farming philosophy is to grow organic. This means, Flâneur does not use harmful pesticides, and we do not irrigate our vineyards.

Q: Can you explain the seasonal life cycle of a vine throughout the year?
A:
1. Bud break – represents the beginning of a new cycle
2. Bloom – represents the fruit setting
3. Lag phase – the phase when we will know how much fruit we will have at harvest
4. Harvest – the picking of our fruit and final step

Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I enjoy spending time with my son and grandkids and I enjoy flying planes.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
A: The most rewarding part of my job is to see our customers enjoying our wines and showcasing the vineyards.

Russell Lichtenthal

Director of Hospitality & Sales

WSET Diploma

Q&A with Flâneur Wines’ Russell Lichtenthal

Q: How did you get started in the wine industry?
A: During Culinary school I took a few wine classes and really enjoyed them. I continued taking wine courses on my days off while working as a line cook in NYC. A couple of years into cooking, a front of house position came available at the hotel I was working at. The F&B Director suggested I take the position, and after a year if I didn’t enjoy it I could always go back to the kitchen. I was 25. I am still in the front of the house today.

Q: Can you tell us the history about why the company is named, Flâneur Wines?
A: The owner of the winery, Marty Doerschlag, named it so. He had just sold off his shares of the family business he helped build up, considerably. After nearly 20 years of working nose to the grindstone, he took a year or so off before starting the next phase of his life. In any event, came across the word Flânuer in the financial book, “The Black Swan”, and thought it was the perfect name for a winery. Wine is all about getting lost in conversation with friends, discovering something new, traveling to a distant land through a drop of juice.

Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I speak Mandarin

Q: Where/when in life do you feel you most embody your inner Flâneur?
A: Anytime I am in a city, one that I know, or one that I have never been to. In either case, I tend to walk around neighborhoods with the intent of getting a little lost; wandering in and out of eateries and pubs.

Amelia Dobbes

Director of Marketing

WSET II

Q&A with Flâneur Wines’ Amelia Dobbes

Q: How did you get started in the wine industry?
A: I was technically born into it. My dad, Joe Dobbes, has been a Winemaker here in the Willamette Valley all my life. Consequently, I grew up in the vineyards, bung hunting in the barrel room and helping out with harvest. After studying Marketing and International Business in school, I worked at my family’s winery, Dobbes Family Estate. Once I turned 21, I “officially” joined the tasting room, helping with harvest, and then in marketing. In between I spent some time working as a harvest intern for different winemakers and in distribution for Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits.

Q: How would you describe a modern day Flâneur?
A: To me, I like to think of a modern day Flâneur as a solo backpacker traveling through a new city. Moving slowly, taking it all in. They may not know where they are going to wander next but they are taking in the beauty along the way. They live a simple life in reality but aren’t strangers to enjoying the finer things on occasion. Like a beautiful glass of wine at a hole in the wall restaurant along their adventure.

Q: How do you predict the Willamette Valley wine industry will change in the next 10 years?
A: It’s growing every day and I don’t see signs of slowing. Thus, as the Willamette Valley gets more and more national and international recognition, the more investment we will see. Such as, tourism, new wineries and innovative/sustainable farming and winemaking investment. Pinot Noir is here to stay as our mainstay but I do believe we will see new varietals taking up larger shares of total plantings as our climate changes.

Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I fell into a fermenter of Pinot while doing a punch down when I was seven so my dad named the wine after me.

Q: Where/when in life do you feel you most embody your inner Flâneur?
A: When I spend the day exploring a new city.

KELLIE CAMPBELL

Wine Club & Direct Sales Manager

WSET III

Q&A with Flâneur Wines’ Kellie Campbell

Q: How did you get started in the wine industry?
A: I was living in Australia, working at a beautiful little Italian restaurant and had my first ah-ha wine which was a 1987 Barolo. Believe it or not, I still feel like I can taste it. When I moved back to PDX to finish my degree, the Italian restaurant that I worked at took us out to Wine Country for a staff appreciation day. Our first stop was Domaine Drouhin. The rest is history…

Seeing the family history and culture of the Willamette Valley made me fall in love. It involves non-stop education, experiences and a beautiful community of people who work and collaborate together.

Q: What is unique about the Flâneur Wine Club?
A: Every single person in this club is truly a part of our family. Everyone is connected in so many ways and the friendships and connections are long lasting. Additionally, we curate wines specifically for our wine club that you will never see outside of the tasting room.

Q: What would you consider to be Flâneur Wines’ Flagship Wine?
A: Personally, the La Belle Promenade Chardonnay. This wine continually surprises people even when they step into the tasting room with the idea that they don’t enjoy Chardonnay.

Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I lived in Australia for a year and studied Modern Greek for two years.

Q: Where/when in life do you feel you most embody your inner Flâneur?
A: When I am traveling abroad. There is something about being in another country or place that brings out a completely different side in me.

Tyson Theese

Hospitality & Tasting Room Manager

Certified Sommelier

Q&A with Flâneur Wines’ Tyson Theese

Q: How did you get started in the wine industry?
A: I started out as a premium & import wine sales rep in Wisconsin.

Q: Why the Willamette Valley?
A: I find Pinot/Chard the most compelling/interesting varietals. I also love all Oregon has to offer for outdoor activities, as well as the overall approachability of its wine culture. Wine is for everyone, and Oregonians do a great job of living out that belief.

Q: You hold some pretty impressive wine certifications, can you tell us the hardest and most rewarding part of your certification journey?
A: I would say the hardest season of pursuing those certifications was when I lived outside of a wine region, with very little wine culture around me. All my studying was done out of books and by myself. The most rewarding moment was becoming a Certified Sommelier. It was a very full-circle moment in my life that reinforced many decisions that I had made to pursue that certification.

Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I have two tattoo sleeves.

Q: Where/when in life do you feel you most embody your inner Flâneur?
A: When I am sipping wine out of a camp mug, at the top of a mountain.

Mindy Casteel

Assistant Hospitality Manager

Q&A with Flâneur Wines’ Mindy Casteel

Q: How did you get started in the wine industry?
A: My family was involved in the wine industry and I started to work in the tasting room at Bethel Heights Vineyard in 2011.

Q: What is your favorite part of working in the Grain Elevator in downtown Carlton?
A: Seeing everyone’s faces when they walk in and see the historical space.

Q: What would you describe to be the key identifying traits of the portfolio of Flâneur Wines?
A: Balanced. Grant does a beautiful job every year of creating really balanced wines regardless of the vintage.

Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: I vastly prefer white wine over red wine.

Q: Where/when in life do you feel you most embody your inner Flâneur?
A: I try to really live in the moment and appreciate the now, observe the beauty of how life unfolds.

Sandy Willats

Hospitality Associate

Italian Wine Scholar & WSET III

Q&A with Flâneur Wines’ Sandy Willats

Q: How did you get started in the wine industry?
A: After a few decades working in advertising and owning my own consulting business, I was feeling burnt out and in need of a change. Not ready to stop working altogether, I wanted to immerse myself in my passion: wine. My husband and I have always loved Oregon and especially Oregon Pinot Noir so it was an easy choice to move to the valley and start making connections. A few resumes and interviews later, I found my home at Flâneur!

Q: What is your go to explanation when asked, “What does Flâneur mean?”?
A: While it literally means “curious stroller”, I like to think of it as the deliberate choice to slow down and enjoy the life that is in front of you.

Q: Can you tell us your favorite thing about our two estates, Flanerie Vineyard and La Belle Promenade Vineyard?
A: Flanerie has the potential to produce these beautiful, dark brooding Pinots that are so complex and long lived. La Belle Promenade is such a breathtaking vineyard and the views are spectacular. Her wines are equally romantic and luscious.

Q: What is a fun fact about you?
A: Not wanting a conventional wedding, my husband and I eloped and got married in Tuscany.

Q: Where/when in life do you feel you most embody your inner Flâneur?
A: Whenever I’m at the coast, I can wander aimlessly up and down the beaches for hours.

more about the team

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Grant Coulter Winemaking Interview

Grant Coulter Winemaker Interview With Arden Restaurant in Portland

Grant Coulter, Flâneur Winemaker & Director of Vineyards, sat down this past week with our friends at Arden Restaurant and Wine Bar in Portland to publish a question and answer for their followers. The interview is a brief look into his inspiration, experience and an exploration of his winemaking style. It’s a quick read, but worth the time to get into the mind of one of the Willamette Valley’s shining stars of winemaking.

Enjoy!

Full interview can be found on Arden’s website here – Click Here

A full bio can be found on our website here – Click Here

Browse Grant’s Flâneur Wines creations here – Click Here