Carlton Winemakers Studio

Carlton, Oregon

From the ground up this is a unique winemaking facility. Carlton Winemakers Studio was created in 2002 by a team of visionary winemakers and vineyard owners. Their intent was to build a facility that could provide a location for artisan winemakers to produce quality wines without the prohibitive overhead associated with creating individual winemaking facilities. The result was that and much more. The studio was the first winery in Oregon to register with the US Green Building Council. The building was designed with sustainability in mind. An earthen berm on the south side of the building insulates the cellar from summer heat. Large windows and skylights in the tasting room and an open air processing area with luminescent roofing reduce the need for electrical lighting. Gravity allows the wine to drain from the top to ground floor which is not only gentle on the wine but further reduces the use of electricity and expensive pumps. Many of the materials utilized were recycled from deconstructed buildings, reducing the need of virgin forest, petroleum, and mineral ore products. As a result visitors to the tasting room (which is open daily from 12-5pm) intuitively know they are in a special location trying quality wines.

There are 13 independent labels (12 winemakers) collaborating with each other to share equipment and space. Each winemaker is responsible for production of their own label. This creates an environment where every wine is an expression of each winemakers personal style. The following is a list of all the labels; Carlton Winemakers Studio (the flagship label to represent the facility), Alumni, Andrew Rich Vintner, Boedecker Cellars, Bryce Vineyard, Domaine Meriwether, Dominio IV wines, Hamacher Wines, J.Daan Cellars, Resonance Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge Vineyard, and Wahle Vineyards and Cellars.

Geolink Wine currently offers the flagship studio label and shows other individual labels from the studio by request.

The Carlton Winemakers Studio Pinot Noir is produced by winemaker Eric Hamacher of Hamacher Wines. The wine spent 14 months in 15% new oak. Fruit was sourced from the Red Hills and Carlton appellations located in the northern Willamette Valley. The perfume of this wine jumps out of the glass with bright fruit reminiscent of cherry. The palate exhibits a cherry core that is rounded on the edges with spice, plum, and graham. This wine continues to express itself as the finish lingers, making the mouth feel fresh and clean.

The Carlton Winemakers Studio for the first time in 2008 also offers other varietals: 2006 Studio Red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc,2007 Malbec, 2006 Chardonnay, 2006 Pinot Gris, and 2006 Studio White, a blend of Muscat and Gewurztraminer.

Geolink Wine is proud to offer these quality wines for the first time outside of the Willamette Valley! Enjoy!

Liquid synergy in a bottle; Carlton Winemakers Studio Pinot Noir. (Photo by Geolink Wine)

Availability:

Where found in Humboldt:

Sea Grill:2006 Pinot Noir.

Myrtletown Liquor: 2004 Pinot Noir.

Carter House, Restaurant 301:2004 Pinot Noir, 2005 Andrew Rich Syrah.

Pearl Lounge: 2003 Pinot Noir.

 

Carlton Winemakers Studio houses 13 independent small labels and claims the title "Oregon's first green winery". Passive solar lighting, solar panels, earthen berm insulation, and recycled materials were utilized in construction of this building. (Photo by Geolink Wine)

View of the tasting room at Carlton Winemakers Studio. A fun place to try a wide variety of classy wines by 12 different winemakers (13 labels). (Photo by Geolink Wine)

Justin Van Zanten, assistant winemaker for Andrew Rich Wines and founder of J.Daan wine cellars. The collaborative environment at Carlton Winemakers Studio made it possible for him to start his own label which produces about 500 cases a year of Pinot Noir and Syrah. (Photo courtesy Carlton Winemakers Studio)

Other labels at the studio include (from left to right); Hamacher Wines "H" Pinot Noir, Andrew Rich Vintner "Coup d'etat" red wine, and J.Daan Cellars Syrah. (Photo by Geolink Wine)