Trouvère Artist Series, Indigene 2022, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, OR

Indigene is the winery’s name for this mutation of Pinot Gris. It’s fragrant with notes of pear, yellow apple, chamomile, mint, and white flowers, with a juicy palate of orchard and stone fruit flavors with bright and zesty acidity. Exclusive to Bonde.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: Oregon

APPELLATION (AVA): Dundee Hills

REGION: Willamette Valley

VINEYARD: Lange Winery Estate Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2022

GRAPES: 100% Indigene (mutation of pinot gris)

SOIL: Deep and well-drained rich clay-loam soils (Jory and Nekia) 

PRACTICE: Sustainable, dry-farmed

VINIFICATION: Stainless steel with punchdowns, neutral French oak puncheons

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Pale lemon yellow

BODY: Medium bodied

TASTE: Dry

PRIMARY AROMAS: D’Anjou pear, yellow apple, chamomile, white flowers 

FLAVOR: Orchard fruit and pit fruit, vibrant acidity, pear skin, lime zest, grapefruit

FORMAT: 750ml

ALCOHOL: 13.4%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Serve chilled. Pair with pasta with a light butter sauce.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Lange Winery

“Don and Wendy Lange founded their eponymous winery and estate vineyard in 1987 with the purchase of a thirty-acre parcel in Northern Willamette Valley’s prestigious Dundee Hills. Their move north from Santa Barbara was precipitated by a few inspiring bottles from two of Oregon’s most iconic producers: Eyrie and Erath. A call to Dick Erath (whose phone number was listed on the back label) convinced the Langes to embark on a scouting trip.

“Starting at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, they tasted their way up, stopping only when they reached the Dundee Hills.. The couple saw a real estate sign advertising a property suitable for farmland—the property’s elevation and aspect reminded Don of the Grand Cru vineyards of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. 

"After producing their inaugural vintage in 1987 [from grapes] purchased from neighboring vineyards, the Langes planted their estate vineyard in 1988.” (langewinery.com)

ABOUT TROUVERE: “THE BRAND As our Willamette Valley wine industry expanded and matured, it became clear that we had many prime vineyard sites, mostly growing pinot noir, that were worthy of single-vineyard status. In addition, our long-held interest in tempranillo and syrah as some of the world’s best red varietals, was piqued by the vineyards in Southern Oregon’s Umpqua Valley and Eastern Oregon’s rugged Columbia Gorge. We created the Trouvère label to showcase small-lot, limited production wines from these dramatic AVAs. Other unique wines include Indigene, exclusive to our Estate Vineyard, which is created from a white grape mutation of pinot gris which we have been cultivating for over two decades.” (langewinery.com)

ABOUT THE VINEYARD: Lange Winery Estate Vineyard

“The Lange’s three estate vineyards are located in Northern Willamette Valley’s prestigious Dundee Hills Appellation. The AVA is is known for its rust-red volcanic soils formed by Columbia River Basalts more than 14 million years ago. These rich clay-loam soils, predominantly Jory and Nekia, are deep and well-drained. 

“Our vineyard blocks are farmed individually and possess natural variances in climate, elevation, and aspect. By keeping our yields low, and harvesting at peak ripeness, we use a minimalist approach in the cellar, and our wines speak for themselves. We respect our land and have always farmed sustainably. Dry farming is another method we use to encourage grapes to express their full potential.” (langewinery.com)

ABOUT INDIGENE: “A white grape mutation of Pinot Gris which we have been cultivating for over two decades.” (langewinery.com)

ABOUT THE LABEL: Basaltic Caves by Mary Heebner

“The painting we chose for Indigene titled Basaltic Caves is a nod to the complex soils found in the Willamette Valley, including the basalt-based, highly weathered volcanic soils that define the Dundee Hills.” (langewinery.com)