Old Fashion, Big Pinot Noir Wines Offered at Broadley Vineyards
In 1986, the couple bought an old Pontiac dealership building in the small town of Monroe and converted it the winery operations. Because the small winery is family operated, the winery isn't open to the public except for several open houses each year. The next open house is scheduled near the end of March and will be announced soon.
Craig believes that his wines reflect Monroe fruit with subtle taste differences than grapes grown in the nearby, and popular Dundee Hills.
"We produce an old fashion type of wine and emphasize the characteristics of the fruit," Craig said. "We're very aggressive with the wine and use a lot of wood-all French oak.
"What we produce may not be to everybody's liking, but we have our following. It is a niche wine. It is a big wine."
With so many wineries in Oregon producing Pinot Noir, Broadley says there is room in the spectrum for light to heavier varieties of the grape. At first, Craig and Claudia wondered whether anyone would notice their wines, since they are not on the main road through wine country. But eventually, word spread, and Wine Spectator rated Broadley's 1994 Claudia's Choice Pinot Noir one of the best wines in the world.
Now the couple is selling futures on its 2000 reserve Pinot Noirs until April, or until they sell out. The futures are a bargain compared to the price a bottle will fetch once it is on the market. Futures can be purchased at avalonwine.com and through the winery.
The future for Broadley Vineyards isn't expected to change too much. Both Craig and Claudia want to keep the operation small and family operated.
"Pinot Noir is so delicate that I don't see an advantage for mass production," said Craig. "I also think once you get to a certain size, producing more and more, the quality changes. We don't want to change or grow that much. We like being a mom and pop operation. However, we do want to continue improving what we produce."
Broadley's wines are known for great depth and length, with plenty of spice and pepper and heavy red fruit. If you like Archery Summit, Beaux Freres and Ken Wright wines, chances are you will be a fan of Broadley Vineyards. Broadley varieties include Claudia's Choice and Marcile Lorraine, using estate grown grapes, and a reserve, made with grapes grown a stone's throw away at Alpine Vineyards.
"I think we're a little different from
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