Lavinea
Summary
Lavinea is a boutique Willamette Valley producer founded in 2014 by Greg Ralston and Isabelle Meunier, crafting limited-production single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from strategic partnerships with growers across diverse volcanic and Laurelwood soils. Their minimalist approach—featuring native fermentations, partial whole-cluster inclusion, and restrained oak aging without fining or filtration—reflects Meunier's Burgundian training while allowing each distinctive vineyard site to express its unique personality.
Heritage & Leadership
Lavinea was established in 2014 by wine industry veterans Greg Ralston and Isabelle Meunier with a focused mission to produce single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from the Willamette Valley. Ralston brought extensive business experience from his previous roles as CEO of Evening Land Vineyards and managing director at Chateau Montelena. Meunier, a Canadian-born winemaker, contributed her technical expertise developed through her education at the University of Dijon in Burgundy and her previous position as winemaker at Evening Land Vineyards from 2007 to 2014.
The name "Lavinea" derives from the Latin word for "of the vine," reflecting the founders' commitment to vineyard-focused winemaking. Since its inception, the producer has maintained a deliberate growth trajectory, gradually expanding its vineyard partnerships while maintaining a portfolio centered on site-specific expressions. In 2019, the company established a dedicated winemaking facility in McMinnville, Oregon, allowing for complete control over their production process.
Vineyards & Wines
Lavinea does not own vineyards but instead forms long-term partnerships with growers of exceptional sites throughout the Willamette Valley. Their portfolio showcases wines from several distinguished vineyards including Elton Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, Tualatin Estate Vineyard in the Tualatin Hills, Nysa Vineyard in the Dundee Hills, and Temperance Hill Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills.
Each vineyard offers distinct characteristics: Elton Vineyard sits at elevations between 250-500 feet on volcanic Jory and Nekia soils; Tualatin Estate features Laurelwood soil, a windblown loess over basalt; Nysa Vineyard is planted on the classic red Jory soils of the Dundee Hills at elevations between 600-700 feet; and Temperance Hill Vineyard stands at one of the highest elevations in the Eola-Amity Hills (660-860 feet) with shallow, rocky volcanic soils.
The producer focuses exclusively on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, creating single-vineyard bottlings that highlight the distinctive characteristics of each site. Their limited production wines are made in small quantities, typically fewer than 400 cases per vineyard designation.
Philosophy & Practice
Lavinea's winemaking approach centers on transparent expression of vineyard sites through minimal intervention practices. Harvest decisions are based on achieving physiological ripeness while maintaining natural acidity. For Pinot Noir, the process includes careful hand-sorting, partial whole-cluster fermentation (varying by vineyard and vintage), native yeast fermentations, and gentle extraction techniques. The wines age in French oak barrels for approximately 11 months, with new oak usage limited to 25-30% to preserve vineyard character.
For Chardonnay production, whole-cluster pressing is followed by settling and barrel fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The wines undergo complete malolactic fermentation and age on their lees in French oak barrels (20-25% new) for 11 months before bottling without fining or filtration.
Throughout the winemaking process, Meunier employs a hands-off approach, avoiding additions or manipulations that might mask the inherent qualities of the fruit. This methodology reflects the producer's core belief that exceptional vineyards, when properly farmed and respectfully handled, will naturally express their distinctive characteristics. Lavinea's production remains deliberately small, allowing for meticulous attention to detail from vineyard to bottle.