Bottleology – Lange Estate Winery with Winemaker Jesse Lange

An old soul, a go-getter, a bull-by-the-horns kind of fellow, a hot shot, a hard worker, an athlete and a winemaker who makes Oregon Pinot Noir exactly how it should be made: perfect.

Jesse Lange is a man that deserves a hug, a handshake, a pat on the back and your applause.  This arranged gratitude that I encourage is due to the fact that his winery, Lange Estate in Dundee, sets the bar for Oregon Pinot Noir–ask just about anyone.  Jesse has dedicated his life in no small way to delivering us pinot-philes the chronic pleasures that these grapes possess. Out of pure respect, I’m here to offer you his story and a glimpse into his world and the making of this fine wine.

Home Sweet Home: Jesse is a second generation winegrower and winemaker at his family’s estate winery in the heart of Oregon wine country: the Dundee Hills. He’s been growing grapes with his family since 1987 on their 60 acres, reserved especially for Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. LUCKY!

Neat Freak: Wine has some really neat aspects! Jesse was drawn to wine because he’s “always loved the way wine incorporates agriculture and science. And it’s such a compelling beverage.” He reflected on his first wine experience and said, “It was drinking a Pinot Noir straight from the basket press in our garage in Santa Barbara. Circa 1984.”

Bookworm: A bookworm isn’t a pest found in the vineyard—it’s actually a welcomed critter, much like a ladybug or an earth worm.  To get to where he is today Jesse had to hit the books hard. He studied enology and viticulture in New Zealand at Lincoln University in 1999, but most of his knowledge came from the vineyard and winery itself.

Get it, Got it Good: Jesse is a power player in Oregon. He told me about the roles and responsibilities he maintains in the wine business.

“My job as General Manager and Winemaker is pretty dynamic as I oversee our team of dedicated employees, our vineyard operation, sales and marketing, and of course winemaking. I’m fortunate enough to serve on the board of directors for our leading industry event, the Oregon Pinot Camp, I’m also a member of the Willamette Valley Winegrowers Association, and currently serve as President of the Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association.”

Dazed and Confused: As the line goes, “I only came here to do two things: kick some ass and drink some beer. Looks like we’re almost out of beer.” If Jesse were to write the lines in an effort to illustrate his motives, he’d say, “I only came here to do two things, make world class Pinot Noir and strive to make this business as successful as possible. Looks like we’re almost sold out of the 2006 vintage of world class Pinot Noir.”

To Do List: Jesse seems to find some balance between work and play, and said “I dig running, biking, skiing, fly fishing, and basically anything outdoors and athletic. Gotta keep in shape for harvest!” By that he refers to his work in the vineyard: hoeing, shoveling, moving wires, pruning, harvesting, tractor driving, cleaning tanks, moving hoses and prepping fermentation tanks. He also works with national distribution and retails sales, claiming “there pretty much isn’t anything I haven’t done when it comes to vineyard/winery tasks.”

Happy Happy, Joy Joy: Jesse told me about one of the rewards of winemaking, and stated, “The best reward is getting a card or email from a customer that has glowing things to say about a wine you made that they shared with their very best friends and family. To be able to contribute to somebody else’s Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner in a meaningful way is very special to me. At its best, wine brings people together.”

With Pleasure: I asked him what his favorite guilty pleasure was and what he drinks most. Jesse responded with his guilty pleasure of sunflower seeds and filet mignon (consumed separately). As for his favorite beverage(s) he was quick to list: water, and wine (in that order).

Collect Call: As he mentioned, Jesse enjoys fishing–he actually collects fly fishing rods. The hobby has also spilled out onto his wine labels, each of which are decorated with a single fly fishing lure.

Geeking Out: A wine nerd is one who is known for his or her absolute immersion in their work, and Jesse Lange qualifies! He told me, “I’m very passionate about getting to know the nuances of every variation of Pinot Noir, including soil types, microclimates, clone, rootstock, barrel influence, etc…it never ends! For instance, we have about 400 different barrels of Pinot Noir from the 2009 vintage right now. It’s just amazing how many different profiles are expressed.”

I Think I Can: If Jesse hadn’t taken the path of a winemaker, he said that he’d be, “playing shortstop for the Chicago Cubs or shooting guard for the Blazers. One can only dream.”  Yeah and if you had gone that route, I’d be making your wine and it would be called ‘Bender’!” Let’s drink to that.

A Mouth Full:  Lange Estate Winery, Three Hills Cuvee Pinot Noir 2007 $40ish 750 cs.

The Three Hills Cuvee is their top blended Pinot Noir and melds influences from their three oldest vineyard sites: Lange Estate, Freedom Hill, and Yamhill Vineyards. “We bottle all three as single-vineyard designates,” Jesse adds. “They work so well in concert; we’re obliged to blend at least a little. I think the wine has great Oregon Pinot Noir expression while also have many tiers of complex flavors: fruit, spice, and exceptional balance.”

There’s a lot of “hoopla” and “blah-blah-blah” about the 2007 vintage in Oregon.  It’s a vintage that is legendary, but for all the wrong reasons and I’m quick to call-out, all the wines that fell prey to the predator that was the rainfall and early harvesting. In doing so, there are wines that I’d also like to recognize, and Lange’s Three Hills Cuvee is one of them.

Femininity is this wines appeal–coming from me, a masculine lad.  Up close and personal I notice a scented nose of sassy spice: cardamom, hazelnut and ginger.  She’s alive with vivid fruit character and perfume, lively with bright cherry, rose hip and red berries.  The upfront fruit on the palate is this wines strong point—it’s quite sexy.  There are some candied cherry pop elements to this gal that keeps her young, playful and delicious. Tart acidity, delicate tannins and balanced alcohol are reminders that this one is going to meet mom.  She’s a redhead in high heels, manicured nails, and luscious lips, with a little bit of attitude and is as curvaceous as the bottle itself.  “Pop the cork, pop the question!”

Lange Estate Winery and Vineyard

18380 NE Buena Vista Drive
P.O. Box 8
Dundee, Oregon 97115
Phone (503) 538-6476

We at WINO Magazine would  love to hear your feedback, simply leave a comment below!

For an interview, please contact me: dave@winomagazine.com