Accolades

2019 Elton Self-Rooted Pinot Noir

95 points, James Suckling

Dried-strawberry and some cherry aromas follow through to a medium to full body with firm tannins and a flavorful finish. Savory and juicy. Citrusy undertone with earth and cedar. Drink or hold.

2019 Elton Florine Pinot Noir 

92 points, James Suckling

Blueberry and green-strawberry aromas and flavors. Medium body, firm and rather steely tannins and a fresh finish. Raspberries at the end. Tight in the palate. Better in two or three years.

Elton Pinot Noir

94 points, Vinous

Brilliant red. Powerful, mineral-laced red and dark berry aromas are complemented by cola, mocha and potpourri nuances. Fleshy and alluringly sweet, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry preserve and rose pastille flavors underscored by an energizing mineral quality. Shows impressive balance and floral lift on the mineral-accented finish, which is framed by smooth, harmonious tannins. 

– Josh Raynolds
 

90 points, Wine Spectator

Broad but focused, with a lively core of tannins and acidity framed by raspberry, licorice and savory spice flavors that finish with a mild tannic grip. Best after 2018. 700 cases made.

– Tim Fish
 

2019 Elton Chardonnay

93 points, James Suckling

Aromas of green olive, sliced green apple and dried flowers. Medium-bodied with a very nice structure. Starts bright, citrusy and floral, but turns nutty and somewhat savory towards the end. Delicate the whole way. Drink or hold.

2015 Elton Chardonnay

94 points, Vinous

Pale gold. A suave, complex bouquet evokes tangerine, pear nectar, fennel and pungent flowers, and subtle mineral and iodine nuances emerge as the wine stretches out. Juicy, focused and concentrated yet lithe, offering palate-staining citrus and orchard fruit flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. An impressively long, mineral-driven finish leaves behind suggestions of toasted brioche, honeysuckle and bitter pear skin. This intriguing Chardonnay shows more than a little bit of Burgundian character, which isn't surprising given the presence of Burgundy-trained winemaker Isabelle Meunier (Lavinea) here.

– Josh Raynolds
 

Queen of the vine: Betty O'Brien (Capital Press)

"The O’Briens planted the first 5 acres of grapes, and then more, as they could afford it. By 2002, they had planted 60 acres of grapes.

The daughter of an Oregon farmer, one might think that growing grapes was among Betty O’Brien’s first choices in careers. The owner of Elton Vineyard in the Eola Hills of Western Oregon laughs at the suggestion. 'I always said I would never work on a farm again, and here I am,' she said.

What changed her mind? The romance of wine, of course." Read the full article.