This season, we’re following a thread that connects vineyards an ocean apart – from Oregon’s volcanic slopes to Burgundy’s limestone hills – all united by one idea: elegance over excess. In a market crowded with heavy reds, these wines are cool-climate antidotes. They’re built on freshness, balance, and the kind of texture that sells itself once in the glass. The throughline isn’t just red fruit; it’s restraint, precision, and age-worthy grace.
This month, we’re spotlighting three producers who embody that ethos: Appassionata Estate, J. Christopher Wines, and Perron de Mypont.
Appassionata Estate (Chehalem Mountains, Oregon)
The Full Suite of Appassionata Wines
Appassionata is the realization of Erni Loosen’s long-held dream to make great Pinot Noir in Oregon. After decades of creating world-class Rieslings in Germany’s Mosel Valley, Erni recognized the Willamette Valley’s potential for the kind of purity, minerality, and longevity that define the world’s most soulful reds.
His first Oregon collaboration began in 2005 with J. Christopher Wines; today, Appassionata is its own estate, rooted in the Chehalem Mountains with sustainably farmed vineyards and a cellar built for the long haul.
Winemaking Philosophy
Appassionata wines are made with the same mindset as fine German Rieslings – slow fermentations, minimal new oak, and patient élevage. Every Pinot Noir is held back in the bottle for release at peak harmony (up to 10 years or more), reflecting Erni’s belief that a truly great wine will only reveal itself with time.
Wine Style
Silky, structured, and deeply expressive of Oregon’s unique terroirs.
- Allegro Pinot Noir (released 3+ years after the vintage) – the early-drinking introduction; lifted red fruit and spice.
- Andante con Moto Pinot Noir (released 5+ years after the vintage) – adds depth and fine tannin to the dinner table.
- Fortissimo Pinot Noir (released 10+ years after the vintage) – the grand statement: dense, mineral, and built to continue aging for a decade or more.
How to Position Appassionata
Appassionata is Oregon Pinot Noir at its most thoughtful and complete – not an imitation of Burgundy, but a conversation with it. These are wines that prove Oregon belongs in the same global dialogue about finesse, longevity, and terroir transparency.
- Fine-dining lists that prize elegance and depth over extraction.
- Retail placements that want a premium Oregon story with global credibility.
- Collector audiences looking for unique wines that can withstand a long life in the cellar.
J. Christopher Wines (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Terroir-Driven Wines from J. Christopher
Founded in 1996, J. Christopher Wines has become one of the defining names in the Willamette Valley. Its mission is simple: combine Burgundian sensibility with Pacific Northwest authenticity. Everything is handcrafted – native yeast fermentations, long macerations, minimal intervention – to capture vineyard nuance and vintage voice.
Winemaking Philosophy
Patient, low-intervention winemaking. Small-lot vinification and gravity-flow handling protect the purity of fruit. Aging happens mostly in older barriques to let the vineyard, not the barrel, speak.
Wine Style
Earth-driven, textural, and savory. Pinots that sit comfortably between the Old World and New.
- Basalte Pinot Noir – shows the signature red fruit and iron minerality of the Willamette Valley.
- Volcanique Pinot Noir – a special AVA selection showcasing the characteristics of the Dundee Hills appellation.
- Single-Vineyard Pinot Noirs – deliver depth and structure for cellaring while clearly expressing the place they come from. Source vineyards include Medici Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains), Kolb Vineyard (Dundee Hills), Bieze Vineyard (Eola-Amity Hills), the Appassionata Estate Vineyard, and more.
How to Position J. Christopher
J. Christopher represents the soul of classic Willamette Pinot: earth-driven, textural, and refreshingly honest. These are wines that bridge the gap between Old World restraint and New World energy, delivering authenticity without artifice.
- By-the-Glass programs and restaurant lists seeking balanced, food-friendly Oregon Pinot.
- Retail placements that emphasize craftsmanship and transparency over marketing gloss.
- Accounts needing a reliable, terroir-focused Pinot that performs vintage after vintage.
Perron de Mypont (Burgundy, France)
Maison Perron de Mypont Pinot Noir – Accessible Burgundy with Broad Appeal
While Appassionata brings Erni Loosen’s philosophy west, Perron de Mypont extends that vision into Burgundy. Based in the restored 15th-century Le Vieux Château de Puligny-Montrachet, this project is a collaboration between Loosen and longtime friend and colleague Manöel Bouchet.
Their shared goal is to craft transparent, terroir-driven Burgundies that honor centuries of regional tradition while applying a modern, gentle precision in the cellar – wines defined by purity, texture, and endless drinkability.
Winemaking Philosophy
Every wine starts with hand-picked fruit, native-yeast fermentation, and minimal extraction. The focus is on balance and minerality, preserving natural acidity and the quiet detail of each vineyard site. Wines are aged on the fine lees in large, neutral barrels for texture, not oak flavor.
Wine Style
Graceful and pure, with red berry aromatics and refined tannins.
- Maison Perron de Mypont Bourgogne Pinot Noir – approachable, precise, and ready to pour now.
- The Maison Tier of Perron de Mypont is crafted in the classic Négociant tradition by bringing together grapes from trusted growers across the region. These wines balance quality and accessibility, offering authentic Burgundian character at an exceptional value.
How to Position Perron de Mypont
The Maison tier from Perron de Mypont embodies the quiet power of modern Burgundy: precise, mineral, and deeply rooted in place. By merging old-world heritage with a fresh, transparent winemaking style, the range speaks to today’s Burgundy drinker.
- Fine-dining programs that value Burgundy authenticity without exclusivity.
- Retail assortments highlighting small-production estates with global recognition and appeal.
- Collectors seeking refined, terroir-driven reds that reward both immediate enjoyment and long aging.
Tying it All Together
These three producers, connected by Erni Loosen’s pursuit of elegance, represent a global conversation about red wine that feels more relevant than ever. As holiday lists and gift sets start to roll out, the opportunity is clear: offer wines that overdeliver on quality, fit modern palates, and tell a story of craftsmanship rather than extraction.
Whether you’re curating a restaurant flight, writing a seasonal feature, or building a retail display, The Red Thread runs right through these wines – connecting soil, philosophy, and the pleasure of the pour.
