Erath Winery
One of Oregon's founding wineries, Erath has shaped the Willamette Valley's identity as a world-class Pinot Noir region since 1968.
Erath Winery is one of Oregon's pioneering producers, founded in 1968 by Dick Erath in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley. The winery planted its first Pinot Noir vines in 1969 and produced its first commercial wine in 1972. Now owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Erath produces around 125,000 cases annually.
- Founded in 1968 by electronics engineer Dick Erath, one of the Willamette Valley's true pioneers
- First Pinot Noir vines planted in Dundee Hills in 1969; first commercial release was 216 cases in 1972
- Willakia Estate spans 298 acres, including 100 acres of Pinot Noir and 19 acres of Chardonnay
- Estate vineyards sit at 600 to 950 feet elevation on volcanic Jory and marine sedimentary soils
- All estate vineyards are certified LIVE and Salmon Safe
- Member of the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) at silver status
- Purchased by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2006; produces approximately 125,000 cases annually
History and Founding
Dick Erath arrived in Oregon in 1968 after early winemaking experiments in California, quickly identifying the Willamette Valley's cool, maritime climate as ideal for Pinot Noir. He planted his first vines in the Dundee Hills in 1969 and released his first commercial wine in 1972, just 216 cases. The first winery building was constructed in Dundee in 1976. Erath went on to win a Best American Pinot Noir award and began international distribution in 1994, cementing its reputation well beyond Oregon's borders. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates acquired the winery in 2006.
- Founded 1968; first vines planted 1969 in Dundee Hills
- First commercial release in 1972, just 216 cases
- First winery building constructed in Dundee in 1976
- Acquired by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2006
Estate and Terroir
The Willakia Estate spans 298 acres in the Eola-Amity Hills, with vineyards planted between 600 and 950 feet elevation. The soils are predominantly volcanic Jory, iron-rich, and red in color, with marine sedimentary deposits also present across the estate. These well-drained soils, combined with the cool, maritime-influenced climate shaped by Pacific Ocean airflow, produce wines with naturally bright acidity and restrained fruit. The estate has 100 acres planted to Pinot Noir and 19 acres to Chardonnay, alongside plantings of Pinot Gris and Riesling.
- 298-acre Willakia Estate in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA
- Elevations from 600 to 950 feet on volcanic Jory and marine sedimentary soils
- Cool maritime climate with warm days and cold nights driven by Pacific Ocean influence
- 100 acres Pinot Noir and 19 acres Chardonnay on the estate
Winemaking Team
Gary Horner joined Erath as winemaker in 2003 and remains part of the team today. Leah Adint was appointed Head Winemaker in 2022, bringing fresh direction to a winery with deep institutional knowledge. Together, the team maintains Erath's house style of elegant, light, fruit-forward Pinot Noir defined by bright acidity and natural balance.
- Gary Horner has been winemaker since 2003
- Leah Adint appointed Head Winemaker in 2022
- Style focuses on elegance, bright acidity, and restrained fruit
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Look it up →Sustainability
Erath has made sustainability a core commitment across its estate operations. All estate vineyards carry LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon Safe certifications, two of the Pacific Northwest's most respected sustainability standards. The winery is also a silver-status member of the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), reflecting its ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
- All estate vineyards certified LIVE and Salmon Safe
- Silver-status member of International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA)
- LIVE certification emphasizes low-input viticulture across the Pacific Northwest
Erath Pinot Noir is known for its light body, bright red fruit, and natural acidity. The style is elegant and restrained, with fruit-forward character balanced by the cool-climate freshness of the Willamette Valley.
- Erath Oregon Pinot Noir$18-22The entry-level Oregon Pinot Noir shows the classic Erath house style: bright red fruit and clean acidity.Find →
- Erath Willakia Vineyard Pinot Noir$35-45Estate-grown Eola-Amity Hills fruit on Jory soils, showing site-specific depth and elegance.Find →
- Erath Prince Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir$55-65Single-vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir from one of Erath's most celebrated estate blocks.Find →
- Founded 1968 by Dick Erath; first commercial release 1972 (216 cases); among the earliest producers in the Willamette Valley
- Willakia Estate is 298 acres in the Eola-Amity Hills, with Jory volcanic and marine sedimentary soils at 600 to 950 feet
- All estate vineyards certified LIVE and Salmon Safe; silver-status IWCA member
- Acquired by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2006; produces approximately 125,000 cases annually
- Grapes grown: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling