Best Wine Regions for Burgundy Fans

In 1965 David Lett ignored the experts and backed his own, carefully researched hunch that Oregon’s Willamette Valley could be the next best place after Burgundy to cultivate Pinot Noir. Just 14 years later, his Eyrie Vineyards 1975 South Block Reserve Pinot Noir finished in the top 10 of a global Pinot Noir tasting. A swiftly arranged rematch saw the same wine placed a very close second to Joseph Drouhin’s 1959 Chambolle-Musigny. There was no great outcry of publicity at this success, but it’s no coincidence that by 1987 the Drouhin family had founded their own Willamette Valley venture. Oregon was firmly on the world wine map!