Iris Vineyards
A property of the Willamette Valley where wine, gastronomy and epicurean are one!
Iris Vineyards is a young family estate in the Willamette Valley. It was founded in 1996 by a couple of enthusiasts and connoisseurs, Richard Boyles and Pamela Frye. When acquiring it there were no vines on the estate. Richard and Pamela therefore embarked on the great works of clearing and planting. In addition to the vineyards, they planted an orchard and hundreds of trees
Currently the property is involved farming. It extends over 70 acres including 40 acres planted with vines. Each year the property produces 10,500 cases of wine with the bulk it in Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Syrah …
In 2013 the property was closed to the public in order to carry out work. Late summer 2015, after more than two years of work Iris Vineyard opened to the public.
Where does the name of Iris Winery come from?
“There are several reasons for this name. This is a pun between the iris of the eye and the flower here. There were plenty in the field when it was acquired. We also have an area of 800 acres named Chalice Vineyard. It is located on Iris Hill. ”
Focus on Richard Boyles, owner Iris Vineyards
“My passion for wine comes from my paternal grandmother. It was born from my childhood when I accompanied her when I was little to help make wine. She vinified grapes which she cultivated at her home on the banks of the Umpqua River in Roseburg (Oregon).
I learned to make wine with it from the age of 7/8 years. I am fascinated by the fact of transforming grapes and metamorphosing them into something else. Each wine and each vintage is different.
I am also passionate about cooking. It’s a bit the same way. Starting from a raw product and by various operations it is magnified. It is therefore natural that I also have a great interest in Food & Wine pairings. My father who was a good cook had fun doing dishes that pair with the wines made by my grandmother for our family meals.
I met my wife Pamela at the University of Oregon. There she discovered a strong interest in food and wine. It has brought us closer. Together we visited several wineries in the Willamette Valley and the state of Washington.
The wine was my passion but I started my working life in a job in the field of electronics. With this position we had the chance to travel to Europe. We took advantage of this wonderful opportunity to visit many wine regions in France, Germany and Switzerland.
After several years in Europe we returned home to Oregon. Occupational retraining was then started creating our own vineyard to live our passion. We have also created a large garden to cook our own vegetables. Self-sufficiency and eating / living well are concepts that we hold dear. Good wines and good foods are great pleasures of life. “(Richard Boyles)
Why did you choose to make wine here?
“When we started looking for a site we came here because my wife Pamela grew up in this region. So we came in the beginning for personal reasons but we quickly realized that the soil and the terroir were very good. They are particularly well suited to Pinot Noir. It is complex. Our soil is composed of Billpine, rock, volcanic soil and compost.
We are fortunate also to be subject to a microclimate particularly suited to viticulture and the fruit culture.
This is a beautiful area in which to live, with the natural landscape and offers a nice living environment. “(Richard Boyles)
What allows one to recognize Iris Vineyard wines in a blind tasting ?
“These are intense wines. There are often notes of flowers. This is probably due to our microclimate. They often have a mineral structure. We try to make the most expressive wines possible and that resemble their land, their soil and climate. These are wines of a beautiful youth.
We harvest our Chardonnay grapes later than the others, in November, so they have a little botrytis. Each of our wines has its own expression. I try above all to produce the best grapes that I can. The wine is done primarily on the vine! ”
Do you have any plans for Iris Vineyards ?
” Yes. We would first keep growing, to produce more. Short term we would also like to produce a sparkling wine from Pinot Meunier. We would produce after the Méthode Champenoise. We also have plans to make a rosé.
Currently we are going to acquire new land. “(Richard Boyles)
Anecdote site
The state of Oregon is not only known for its wines, Christmas trees and its splendid landscapes but also for being a great producer of truffles.
Each year Iris Vineyard organizes “truffle immersion parties.” During the evenings the property offers a cooking demonstration truffles. The final evening ends around a large cooked meal based on this famous mushroom and wine pairings leading to discovery, epicurean and awakening of the senses!
Thanks to Richard Boyles for its warm welcome.
Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan
Iris Vineyards
195 Palmer Avenue
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
541-942-5993
