Lange Estate - Directions

Driven by a passion for Pinot Noir and a love of the land, Don and Wendy Lange founded their winery in the Dundee Hills of Oregon's northern Willamette Valley. The year 1987 marked the Langes' first vintage and consisted of the three varietals they embrace today: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay.

New-world pioneers in the production of Pinot Gris, Lange Estate was the first to release a barrel-fermented reserve--an effort Matt Kramer of the WINE SPECTATOR calls "a bench-mark bottling." Don Lange's work as a winemaker has been termed "brilliant" by Hugh Johnson, and THE WINE ENTHUSIAST proclaimed Lange Estate to be "one of the great Pinot Noir producers in the United States."

Known for his even hand, Winemaker Don Lange crafts beautifully balanced wines from fruit grown on the Winery Estate, located in the heart of the prestigious Dundee Hillls appellation. To further supplement their 14,000 case production, the Langes purchase additional fruit from the best vineyards in the surrounding area. Long-standing relationships with these talented and dedicated growers have helped the winery establish a well-deserved reputation for consistency and complexity in the wines.

Currently, Don bottles six different Pinot Noirs, paying meticulous attention to each lot of wine. While guiding its journey through a careful barrel regime, he blends as he sees fit or bottles his favorites as single-vineyard offerings. Don is joined by his son, Jesse, in these endeavors, thus the Lange Estate legacy continues with Jesse's enthusiastic contributions in both the cellar and the vineyard.

While overseeing one of the most picturesque tasting rooms in Oregon, Wendy Lange tends to the day-to-day business of the winery, the grounds, and the resident canine corps. With panoramic views of the Cascade Mountain Range and two valleys, a visit to Lange Estate Winery is an experience you don't want to miss.

DON LANGE
Owner and Winemaker
Our winemaker, Don Lange, graduated from the University of Iowa's Writer Workshop with a Master of Fine Arts degree and then pursued a career as a songwriter/recording artist, winning a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and recording three albums. His career in wine started with the 1980 vintage and continued in earnest in 1987 when he and his wife Wendy moved to the Red Hills of Dundee and founded Lange Winery.

WENDY LANGE
Owner and CEO
Co-founder and owner Wendy Lange oversees the day to day operation of Lange Estate's newly remodeled winery and tasting room. Hailing from Connecticut she moved west to pursue her studies in Literature and Ballet at UC Santa Barbara and Portland State University. An avid gardener, dog lover and former horsewoman, she keeps her winery and pack of dogs in top form.

JESSE LANGE
General Manager/Winemaker
Jesse's formal winemaking training occurred at New Zealand's Lincoln University while on student exchange from Oregon State in 1999. A two year stint as cellar rat for winemaker Bruce McGuire at Santa Barbara Winery rounded out his experience outside of Oregon. His duties at the winery include winemaking, vineyard oversight, distribution, and general management. He enjoys serving his industry and community by participating on the Board of Directors for both Oregon Pinot Camp as well serving as Vice President of the Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association, Oregon's first sub-appellation. In November of 2004, Jesse was elected to the Yamhill County Water and Soil Conservation Board and is working on building stronger vineyard relationships with the county. He enjoys flyfishing for steelhead and just about everything else halfway athletic and fully outdoors. And, of course, playing with his Golden Retriever, Magnum "Maggie" Lange.