The wines of Hyland Estates provide a taste of history. Its story begins more than 40 years ago, when four families worked together to plant winegrapes in the remote eastern foothills of the Coastal Range, replete with volcanic Jory and Nekia soils. It didn’t take long until the terroir and grape match made in heaven was achieved: at the 1985 Burgundy Challenge in Paris, judges could not differentiate between Oregon and Burgundian Pinot Noir. In 2011, the vineyard had grown to 204 acres and Hyland Estates was born. Today, after providing award-winning grapes to Oregon’s top echelon producers for more than 40 years, Hyland Vineyard is one of Oregon’s oldest and largest vineyards.
The name Hyland Estates is highly regarded by wine critics in publications like Wine Spectator, who consistently award its Pinot Noir and Riesling with scores in the 90s. Cool summers, warm falls, and dry growing seasons contribute to the complex profiles for which Hyland Estate T wines are known. Owner and Winemaker Laurent Montalieu has enjoyed the process of working with the unique terroir combined with healthy, mature vines. “Working with these 40-year-old vines has taught me a lot as a winemaker: stand by, relax, and enjoy the ride.” And what about the future? Laurent and co-owners Danielle Andrus Montalieu and John Niemeyer have a vision. “We intend to take this vineyard to the next level of the expression of this unique site and hopefully get it to its next 40 years.”
A visit to Hyland Estates represents a marriage of the past and present. The new tasting room features Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir harvested from the historic, old growth portion of the vineyard. Guests can also reserve a winery tour or enjoy a wine and cheese pairing in the outdoor picnic area that overlooks the vines.
“We have always believed in making wines that reflect a sense of place,” Laurent says. “And this historic vineyard represents the ultimate expression of terroir.”