Trisaetum
Summary
Trisaetum is a family-owned boutique winery in Oregon's Willamette Valley producing approximately 7,500 cases annually, focusing primarily on Pinot Noir and an extensive Riesling program from three distinct estate vineyards with varying soil types and elevations. The winery employs small-lot fermentations with varying techniques for each varietal, utilizing a gravity-flow facility for minimal intervention while integrating winemaker James Frey's artistic sensibility through an on-site gallery that complements their site-specific winemaking approach.
Heritage & Leadership
Trisaetum was established in 2003 when James and Andrea Frey founded the winery in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The name Trisaetum (tris-say-tum) combines the names of the Freys' children, Tristen and Tatum. James Frey serves as both proprietor and winemaker, bringing his background as an artist to the winemaking process. Before founding Trisaetum, Frey worked in the technology sector before transitioning to viticulture and winemaking. The winery produced its first commercial vintage in 2007, focusing primarily on Pinot Noir and Riesling. In addition to winemaking, James Frey is an accomplished artist whose work is displayed in the on-site gallery at the winery, creating a unique intersection between wine and visual arts at the property.
Vineyards & Wines
Trisaetum manages three distinct estate vineyards in the Willamette Valley, each with specific terroir characteristics. The Coast Range Estate Vineyard, planted in 2005, sits on 17 acres in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA at elevations between 500-1000 feet, featuring sedimentary soils. The Ribbon Ridge Estate Vineyard encompasses 21 acres planted in 2007 within the Ribbon Ridge AVA, characterized by marine sedimentary soils at 350-500 feet elevation. The third property, Wichmann Dundee Estate, spans 10 acres in the Dundee Hills AVA, featuring the region's signature red volcanic Jory soils at 600-800 feet elevation.
The winery produces approximately 7,500 cases annually, with a portfolio that includes single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Riesling bottlings that express the distinct characteristics of each site. Trisaetum also produces a small amount of sparkling wine and Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir program includes both blended and single-vineyard designate wines, while the Riesling program is particularly extensive, featuring dry, off-dry, and sweet styles that showcase the versatility of this grape variety in Oregon's climate.
Philosophy & Practice
Trisaetum's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention to express vineyard character. For Pinot Noir production, the winery employs small-lot fermentations with varying percentages of whole clusters depending on the vineyard and vintage characteristics. Fermentation occurs in small open-top fermenters with gentle punch-downs rather than pump-overs to extract color and flavor while maintaining elegance. The Pinot Noir wines age in French oak barrels for 12-18 months, with new oak percentages typically ranging from 20-35%.
For Riesling production, Trisaetum utilizes multiple pressing cycles and fermentation vessels, including neutral oak, stainless steel, and concrete eggs, to develop complexity. The winery harvests Riesling at different ripeness levels throughout the season to create wines with varying sweetness levels and flavor profiles. In the vineyard, Trisaetum practices sustainable farming with cover crops between rows to improve soil health and reduce erosion. The winery's production facility in Newberg was designed for gravity flow movement of wine to minimize harsh handling. Each vintage, Trisaetum produces over 30 different wines, reflecting their commitment to expressing the nuances of each vineyard site and grape variety.