pure liquid synergy...
The Carlton Winemakers Studio, is home to eight individual vintners that produce some of the region's most coveted wines under one innovative roof. Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, we invite you to visit our state-of-the-art Tasting Room where you can taste our wines, and learn about the unique and charming stories behind each label. We look forward to seeing you!
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As Featured In:
THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 30, 2010
On This Oregon Trail, Pioneers Embrace Organic Wine
"...Innovators include a winery and tasting room called the Carlton Winemakers Studio. It is the country’s first green-built cooperative winery, using natural light, recycled materials and as little electricity as possible, among other improvements. Ten independent small-batch wineries can share space at one time, and the studio has acted as an incubator for young, talented winemakers without a home. About 20 winemakers have come through since the studio opened in 2002.
And like many wineries along this laid-back and friendly wine trail, it’s also the kind of intimate place where you can run into your favorite winemaker while sampling flights. On a recent visit, my friend Sarah and I watched as the tasting room manager introduced two Portland fans of the winemaker Andrew Rich to the man himself, who happened to be the guest winemaker on duty.
“Everyone’s wines are featured on a rotating basis here in the tasting room,” said Mr. Rich, who poured a pinot noir flight that included creations by several different winemakers. We tasted Mr. Rich’s own flagship blend, the Andrew Rich Vintner 2006 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, an earthy, berry-rich wine.
“Pinot noir is the dominant grape of the Willamette Valley — it’s challenging and difficult, but rewarding to make wine from it,” he said. “What you get is subtle, but with a very big range.”
Carlton Winemakers Studio has also begun a program of wine education classes taught by in-house vintners; topics range from subappellations of the Willamette Valley to sustainability in the vineyard.
Of course, no one drinks green wines just because they’re green — they have to taste good, too. It’s notable that many of the area’s new breed of winemakers are respected longtime players in the industry. Robert Brittan of Brittan Vineyards was the winemaker and estate manager at Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa for 16 years; Eric Hamacher, a founder of Carlton Winemakers Studio, has produced wines for Robert Mondavi and others..."
And like many wineries along this laid-back and friendly wine trail, it’s also the kind of intimate place where you can run into your favorite winemaker while sampling flights. On a recent visit, my friend Sarah and I watched as the tasting room manager introduced two Portland fans of the winemaker Andrew Rich to the man himself, who happened to be the guest winemaker on duty.
“Everyone’s wines are featured on a rotating basis here in the tasting room,” said Mr. Rich, who poured a pinot noir flight that included creations by several different winemakers. We tasted Mr. Rich’s own flagship blend, the Andrew Rich Vintner 2006 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, an earthy, berry-rich wine.
“Pinot noir is the dominant grape of the Willamette Valley — it’s challenging and difficult, but rewarding to make wine from it,” he said. “What you get is subtle, but with a very big range.”
Carlton Winemakers Studio has also begun a program of wine education classes taught by in-house vintners; topics range from subappellations of the Willamette Valley to sustainability in the vineyard.
Of course, no one drinks green wines just because they’re green — they have to taste good, too. It’s notable that many of the area’s new breed of winemakers are respected longtime players in the industry. Robert Brittan of Brittan Vineyards was the winemaker and estate manager at Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa for 16 years; Eric Hamacher, a founder of Carlton Winemakers Studio, has produced wines for Robert Mondavi and others..."
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THE SEATTLE TIMES
Oregon takes a leap forward in wine-country touring.
- By Paul Gregutt
"The Carlton Winemakers Studio: The town of Carlton (and surrounding area) is the epicenter for wine touring, and this studio, built and managed by winemaker Eric Hamacher, has as many as a dozen garagistes on site. It's a great one-stop opportunity to taste through some of the newest and rarest of the region's offerings, and a lesson in green engineering."
JOIN THE CLUB!
"One of the most exciting wine clubs being offered, featuring not just one... but eight wineries!"
We are delighted to invite
you to become a member of LIQUID SYNERGY our anticipated new Wine Club! This is an exciting opportunity to have high quality, small production wines delivered directly to your cellar door. Enjoy wines throughout the year from all eight vintners. You'll also receive special membership benefits throughout the year, making this an opportunity you won't want to miss. Read More...
THE VINTNERS!
> Andrew Rich Vintner
> Ayoub Vineyard
> Brittan Vineyard
> Carlton Winemakers Studio
> Hamacher Wines
> Lazy River Vineyards
> Montebruno
> Retour Wine Company
> Wahle Vineyards and Cellars
Green ...from the ground up!
CWS was the first winery to be registered with the U.S. Green Building Council. This LEED building has been recognized for its outstanding innovation in design and construction... >>> Read more.
As featured in...
TRAVEL OREGON
Spring | Summer 2009 Issue
By Nino Marchetti
"...This facility (CWS), a sort of winery incubator which has spawned some of the best small-scale wineries in the area, hosts 10 wineries side by side. The modern feel of this building, with its concrete tasting bar and large windows, conveys a sense of hipness found in urban wine bars. It is a nice sanctuary for those looking to be taken care of by smart wine servers.”
The Wine Spectator: Exploring the Pacific Northwest
- July 2009
"...a six-day road trip reveals what makes the region's wines and cuisine unique..." Editor Harvey Steiman highly recommends visiting CWS!
Oregon takes a leap forward in wine-country touring.
- By Paul Gregutt
"The Carlton Winemakers Studio: The town of Carlton (and surrounding area) is the epicenter for wine touring, and this studio, built and managed by winemaker Eric Hamacher, has as many as a dozen garagistes on site. It's a great one-stop opportunity to taste through some of the newest and rarest of the region's offerings, and a lesson in green engineering."
JOIN THE CLUB!
"One of the most exciting wine clubs being offered, featuring not just one... but eight wineries!"
We are delighted to invite
you to become a member of LIQUID SYNERGY our anticipated new Wine Club! This is an exciting opportunity to have high quality, small production wines delivered directly to your cellar door. Enjoy wines throughout the year from all eight vintners. You'll also receive special membership benefits throughout the year, making this an opportunity you won't want to miss. Read More...
THE VINTNERS!
> Andrew Rich Vintner
> Ayoub Vineyard
> Brittan Vineyard
> Carlton Winemakers Studio
> Hamacher Wines
> Lazy River Vineyards
> Montebruno
> Retour Wine Company
> Wahle Vineyards and Cellars
Green ...from the ground up!
CWS was the first winery to be registered with the U.S. Green Building Council. This LEED building has been recognized for its outstanding innovation in design and construction... >>> Read more.
As featured in...
TRAVEL OREGON
Spring | Summer 2009 Issue
By Nino Marchetti
"...This facility (CWS), a sort of winery incubator which has spawned some of the best small-scale wineries in the area, hosts 10 wineries side by side. The modern feel of this building, with its concrete tasting bar and large windows, conveys a sense of hipness found in urban wine bars. It is a nice sanctuary for those looking to be taken care of by smart wine servers.”
The Wine Spectator: Exploring the Pacific Northwest
- July 2009
"...a six-day road trip reveals what makes the region's wines and cuisine unique..." Editor Harvey Steiman highly recommends visiting CWS!