Cristom
Summary
Cristom Vineyards is a family-owned winery in Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills producing 17,000 cases annually, primarily focused on estate Pinot Noir from 58.4 acres of volcanic and marine sedimentary soils that benefit from Pacific breezes through the Van Duzer Corridor. Their winemaking philosophy embraces traditional Burgundian methods including significant whole-cluster fermentation, native yeast fermentations, and manual punch-downs, with longtime winemaker Steve Doerner maintaining consistent quality since the winery's 1992 founding.
Heritage & Leadership
Cristom Vineyards was established in 1992 when Paul and Eileen Gerrie purchased an existing winery in the Eola-Amity Hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The name "Cristom" combines the names of their children, Christine and Tom. From the beginning, the Gerries partnered with winemaker Steve Doerner, who brought valuable experience from his previous tenure at Calera Wine Company in California. This partnership has proven remarkably stable, with Doerner continuing to oversee winemaking operations for nearly three decades.
In 2012, the second generation of family leadership began when Tom Gerrie joined the winery full-time after completing his education. Tom officially took over as winegrower and owner in 2015, continuing his parents' commitment to site-specific wines. Under his direction, Cristom has expanded its vineyard holdings while maintaining its focus on minimal-intervention winemaking. The winery remains independently owned by the Gerrie family, maintaining continuity in both vision and execution.
Vineyards & Wines
Cristom's estate spans 100 acres in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, with 58.4 acres under vine across eight distinct vineyard sites. The vineyards are planted predominantly to Pinot Noir (72%), with smaller plantings of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier, and Syrah. Each vineyard is named after a family matriarch: Eileen (16.61 acres), Louise (8.97 acres), Marjorie (8.44 acres), Jessie (11.53 acres), and Emil (10.24 acres), plus the Paul Gerrie vineyard (2.63 acres).
The estate sits on volcanic and marine sedimentary soils, primarily Nekia, Jory, and Ritner series, with elevations ranging from 320 to 750 feet. The vineyards benefit from cooling Pacific breezes that funnel through the Van Duzer Corridor, creating significant diurnal temperature variations that extend the growing season and develop complexity in the grapes. Vine density averages 2,311 vines per acre, and the oldest blocks date to 1982.
Cristom produces single-vineyard Pinot Noirs that express their specific sites, along with the Mt. Jefferson Cuvée (a blend from all estate vineyards), Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier, and a small production of estate Syrah. Annual production averages 17,000 cases.
Philosophy & Practice
Cristom's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention to showcase vineyard character. The winery employs traditional Burgundian methods, including significant whole-cluster fermentation (typically 30-50% for Pinot Noir) and native yeast fermentations. Fermentations occur in small open-top fermenters with gentle punch-downs rather than pump-overs to extract color and flavor while maintaining elegance.
In the vineyard, Cristom follows sustainable farming practices and has implemented biodynamic methods across portions of the estate. Cover crops, composting, and natural pest management support soil health and biodiversity. The winery maintains LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) certification, confirming their commitment to environmentally and socially responsible winegrowing.
Aging protocols vary by wine but typically include 18 months in French oak for single-vineyard Pinot Noirs (with approximately 50% new barrels), while the Mt. Jefferson Cuvée sees about 30% new oak. White wines are fermented and aged in a combination of neutral oak and stainless steel. All wines are bottled unfined and with minimal filtration to preserve site expression and complexity.