Belle Pente
Belle Pente is an American estate located just a few miles from the town of Carlton, in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. It was founded in 1994 by Brian and Jill O'Donnell, now joined by their daughter Riona, who handles communication and Social Media Marketing. Brian is originally from New York and Jill from Minnesota. Both passionate about craft beer and wine, in 1989 they decided to embark on a new professional adventure together by moving to Oregon to produce wine. They purchased a historic farm from 1840 located in the heart of the Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area, with the desire to produce great wines inspired by the French models of Burgundy and Alsace, primarily cultivating Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay.
The name of the estate, Belle Pente, means "beautiful slope" and perfectly illustrates the gentle landscape of the estate vineyard, which extends over a total area of 70 acres at an altitude ranging from 70-150 meters above sea level, with exposures facing south, southeast, and southwest. To the initial core of the property, consisting of a vineyard located in the prestigious area of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA of the Willamette Valley, a selection of other vines has been added, capable of providing the winery with grapes of excellent quality, all located in Yamhill County, just a few miles from the estate. Over the years, the production of the estate vineyards has increased and the purchase of grapes today is limited to a few parcels from carefully selected independent growers. Today the vineyard area is 16 acres, 12 planted with Pinot Noir, 2 with Pinot Grigio, and 2 with Chardonnay, plus half an acre of Gamay Noir. Since 200, all the vineyards have been cultivated according to the principles of organic farming, with biodynamic practices.
All vineyard work is entrusted to the company staff, who have known each plant perfectly for over 20 years. Oregon is a young region, only for 50 years has high-quality viticulture been practiced to produce great wines; however, it has already shown considerable potential. The estate's soils are shallow and are proving to be particularly suitable for Pinot Noir. The Belle Pente area enjoys a very favorable microclimate. The coastal mountain ranges shield the area from disturbances, ensuring drier conditions that allow for excellent ripening, without the danger of humidity and rot. Furthermore, all the vineyards are located in hilly areas, away from the valley floor, to avoid the danger of frost and promote slower and more gradual ripening. The winemaking is conducted with artisanal care and minimal oenological intervention.
Belle Pente is an American estate located just a few miles from the town of Carlton, in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. It was founded in 1994 by Brian and Jill O'Donnell, now joined by their daughter Riona, who handles communication and Social Media Marketing. Brian is originally from New York and Jill from Minnesota. Both passionate about craft beer and wine, in 1989 they decided to embark on a new professional adventure together by moving to Oregon to produce wine. They purchased a historic farm from 1840 located in the heart of the Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area, with the desire to produce great wines inspired by the French models of Burgundy and Alsace, primarily cultivating Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay.
The name of the estate, Belle Pente, means "beautiful slope" and perfectly illustrates the gentle landscape of the estate vineyard, which extends over a total area of 70 acres at an altitude ranging from 70-150 meters above sea level, with exposures facing south, southeast, and southwest. To the initial core of the property, consisting of a vineyard located in the prestigious area of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA of the Willamette Valley, a selection of other vines has been added, capable of providing the winery with grapes of excellent quality, all located in Yamhill County, just a few miles from the estate. Over the years, the production of the estate vineyards has increased and the purchase of grapes today is limited to a few parcels from carefully selected independent growers. Today the vineyard area is 16 acres, 12 planted with Pinot Noir, 2 with Pinot Grigio, and 2 with Chardonnay, plus half an acre of Gamay Noir. Since 200, all the vineyards have been cultivated according to the principles of organic farming, with biodynamic practices.
All vineyard work is entrusted to the company staff, who have known each plant perfectly for over 20 years. Oregon is a young region, only for 50 years has high-quality viticulture been practiced to produce great wines; however, it has already shown considerable potential. The estate's soils are shallow and are proving to be particularly suitable for Pinot Noir. The Belle Pente area enjoys a very favorable microclimate. The coastal mountain ranges shield the area from disturbances, ensuring drier conditions that allow for excellent ripening, without the danger of humidity and rot. Furthermore, all the vineyards are located in hilly areas, away from the valley floor, to avoid the danger of frost and promote slower and more gradual ripening. The winemaking is conducted with artisanal care and minimal oenological intervention.
