Genuine friendships and a fierce love for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir led Dave Grooters and his wife, Robin, to found Carlton Cellars just a decade ago. The story began in 1968 when Dave met Nick Peirano in the army. In the years that followed, Dave went into the software business in Philadelphia and Nick started the renowned Nick’s Italian Café in McMinnville, Oregon. But the two buddies stayed in touch, and when Dave visited Nick he was introduced to several of Nick’s winemaking friends, including regional pioneers: David Adelsheim, Dick Erath, Myron Redford, Dick Ponzi, and David Lett.
In 1995, Dave sold his software company and went to Carlton to work as a volunteer at harvest for wine legend Ken Wright. Through 12 subsequent harvests at Ken Wright Cellars, Dave learned to be a vintner, literally from the ground up. When he and Robin started Carlton Cellars in 2003, they cleared and planted the vineyard with their own hands. They continued to make their handcrafted wines at Ken’s Carlton facility, until they turned a pole barn into Carlton Cellars in 2007.
The winery’s first offering, Roads End Oregon Pinot Noir, remains Carlton Cellars’ flagship wine. Each year, it receives many accolades from top wine publications and competitions. With the 2010 vintage, it became a single vineyard Pinot Noir, sourced from the 12 best barrels from the Carlton Cellars Estate Vineyard on Savannah Ridge. In fact, the Carlton Cellars' entire portfolio, which now includes three Pinot Noirs (plus Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Auxerrois), routinely receives high praise.
Dave and Robin strongly believe in environmental stewardship. Carlton Cellars is currently only one of 30 Low Input Viniculture and Enology (LIVE) certified wineries and it firmly believes that conscientious grape-growing and winemaking practices—like genuine friendships and a fierce love of Oregon wine—make a difference.
For more information, please visit: carltoncellars.com