Trisaetum
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A family-owned Ribbon Ridge boutique producing some of Oregon's most site-expressive Pinot Noirs and Rieslings from three distinct estate vineyards.
Trisaetum is a boutique Oregon winery founded in 2003, farming 48 acres across Ribbon Ridge, Coast Range, and Dundee Hills. James and Andrea Frey built the estate around Burgundian-style Pinot Noir and multi-style Riesling, releasing up to 20 distinct wines per vintage with a commitment to dry farming and minimal intervention.
- Founded in 2003 by James and Andrea Frey; named after their children Tristen and Tatum
- 48 acres across three estate vineyards in Ribbon Ridge, Coast Range, and Wichmann Dundee
- Produces 7,500 to 8,500 cases annually, including up to 10 Pinot Noirs and up to 10 Rieslings per vintage
- Pashey Sparkling Wines launched in 2017, aged a minimum of three years on tirage
- Dry farmed, sustainably managed with no herbicides or pesticides; all fruit hand-harvested and sorted
- Winery designed for gravity-flow vinification; emphasis on minimal intervention
- 2008 Pinot Noir named a top selection by both Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate
History and Founding
James and Andrea Frey founded Trisaetum in 2003, naming the winery after their two children, Tristen and Tatum. James trained as a winemaker through mentorship with Oregon winemakers, releasing the first commercial vintage in 2007. The estate has since expanded to include Pashey Sparkling Wines, launched in 2017 and named after James Frey's maternal grandmother, as well as 18401 Cellars focusing on Walla Walla Bordeaux varieties and Brixeur Spirits.
- Founded 2003; first commercial vintage released 2007
- Winery name is a portmanteau of children's names Tristen and Tatum
- Pashey Sparkling Wines launched 2017, named after James Frey's grandmother
- Sister projects include 18401 Cellars (Walla Walla) and Brixeur Spirits
Vineyards and Terroir
Trisaetum farms 48 acres across three estate vineyards, each with a distinct terroir profile. The Ribbon Ridge site covers 17 acres at 400 to 500 feet elevation on marine sediments of high-quartz sandstone and weathered bedrock. The Coast Range vineyard spans 22 acres at 500 to 1,000 feet, with a mix of volcanic and sedimentary soils. The Wichmann Dundee site in the Dundee Hills covers 8 acres at 600 to 700 feet on volcanic Jory soils. A temperate oceanic climate with morning fogs, mild summer temperatures, and low disease pressure defines all three sites.
- Ribbon Ridge: 17 acres, marine sediment and high-quartz sandstone, 400 to 500 ft
- Coast Range: 22 acres, volcanic and sedimentary soils, 500 to 1,000 ft
- Wichmann Dundee: 8 acres, volcanic Jory soils, 600 to 700 ft
- Temperate oceanic climate with morning fogs and low disease pressure across all sites
Wines and Winemaking
Trisaetum produces Burgundian-style Pinot Noir as its flagship, alongside expressive Rieslings in dry, off-dry, and sweet styles, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Pinot Meunier, and traditional-method sparkling wines under the Pashey label. The winery releases up to 10 different Pinot Noirs and 6 to 10 different Rieslings each vintage, reflecting individual site characters. All fruit is hand-harvested and hand-sorted. The winery facility is designed for gravity-flow movement of wine, and the approach throughout is minimal intervention to let vineyard sites speak clearly.
- Up to 10 single-vineyard or single-block Pinot Noirs released per vintage
- Riesling produced in dry, off-dry, and sweet styles; 6 to 10 expressions per vintage
- Pashey sparkling wines aged minimum three years on tirage
- Gravity-flow winery; all fruit hand-harvested and hand-sorted
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Look it up →Viticulture and Philosophy
Trisaetum practices dry farming across all three estate vineyards, relying on natural rainfall rather than irrigation. Sustainable viticulture principles guide the operation, with no herbicides or pesticides used. The commitment to site expression runs through every decision, from farming to winemaking, and the gravity-flow winery design minimizes mechanical handling of the wine. The estate also houses a 1,500-square-foot art gallery featuring works by James Frey.
- Dry farmed across all 48 estate acres
- No herbicides or pesticides used; sustainable viticulture throughout
- Gravity-flow winery design reduces mechanical intervention
- On-site 1,500 sq ft art gallery featuring works by James Frey
Trisaetum Pinot Noirs show red fruit, earthy complexity, and site-specific mineral character rooted in Ribbon Ridge's sandstone and Dundee Hills' Jory soils. Rieslings range from crisp and dry to richly sweet, with the cool oceanic climate preserving vivid acidity across all styles. Sparkling wines from Pashey show autolytic depth from extended tirage aging.
- Trisaetum Ribbon Ridge Riesling$25-35Estate Riesling from high-quartz sandstone soils showing the mineral, cool-climate character of Ribbon Ridge.Find →
- Trisaetum Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir$35-50Flagship site Pinot Noir; marine sediment soils deliver distinct earthy, red-fruit character.Find →
- Trisaetum Wichmann Dundee Pinot Noir$55-70Jory-soil Pinot from Dundee Hills; the 2008 vintage earned top honors from Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate.Find →
- Pashey Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine$55-75Traditional-method sparkling aged minimum three years on tirage, showing autolytic complexity.Find →
- Trisaetum farms three AVAs: Ribbon Ridge (primary), Yamhill-Carlton District, and Dundee Hills
- Ribbon Ridge soils are marine sediment and high-quartz sandstone; Dundee Hills soils are volcanic Jory
- Founded 2003; first commercial vintage 2007; Pashey Sparkling launched 2017
- Produces up to 10 Pinot Noirs and up to 10 Rieslings per vintage from distinct estate blocks
- Pashey sparkling wines aged minimum three years on tirage; dry farmed, no herbicides or pesticides