478: Jason Lett Is Not At Peace

Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine industry traces its modern origins to David Lett’s pioneering 1965 decision to plant Pinot Noir in the Dundee Hills, a move rooted in the search for a climate analogous to Burgundy. This legacy, defined by an idiosyncratic focus on marginality and minimal intervention, established a foundation for the region’s global reputation. Jason Lett, current winemaker at Eyrie Vineyards, navigates the tension between honoring this history and adapting to contemporary challenges like climate change and phylloxera. His approach integrates scientific insights from desert plant ecology with traditional practices, emphasizing soil biology and the importance of intellectual curiosity. By maintaining financial independence and rejecting industrial shortcuts, Eyrie Vineyards continues to serve as a vital link between the early, experimental days of Oregon viticulture and a future defined by sustainable, site-specific winemaking.