Evesham Wood 'Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée' Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2022

Founded in 1986 by Russ and Mary Raney, Evesham Wood is a benchmark estate in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, known for its restrained, terroir-driven wines and commitment to organic farming. Under current owner and winemaker Erin Nuccio, the estate continues to produce elegant, age-worthy Pinot Noir from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA.

• WINEMAKER: Erin Nuccio

• FARMING: Certified Organic (Oregon Tilth); dry-farmed

• VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir

• TERROIR: Sourced from four vineyards within the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, including the estate vineyard Le Puits Sec. The region is characterized by volcanic soils and a cooling marine influence from the Van Duzer Corridor, contributing to the wine's structure and freshness.

• VINIFICATION: Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine undergoes minimal intervention to preserve the expression of terroir.

• AGING: Aged in French oak barrels, with a portion being new oak, for an appropriate duration to enhance complexity without overshadowing the fruit character.

• TASTING NOTES: The 2022 vintage presents aromas of crushed raspberry, blue and purple florals, and woodsy, savory undertones. The palate is round and supple, featuring cool-toned acidity and crisp wild berry fruits, accented by sweet spice. Ground clove and cedar notes linger on a bed of well-formed tannins, culminating in a long, gently structured finish.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal with roasted poultry, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or dishes featuring earthy herbs.

• SCORES:

  • Decanter Magazine: 95 – "Fresh and lively aromatics of tart cranberries, fresh spearmint and white pepper leap forward from the glass. The palate is complex and vibrant, with tart red bramble fruits, a squeeze of blood orange and mouthfuls of crushed violets that finish with a seaspray minerality."

  • Vinous (Eric Guido): 93+ – "A seductress, woodsy and savory at first as gorgeous notes of crushed raspberry meet blue and purple florals. It's round and supple yet not weighty in feel, with cool-toned acidity and crisp wild berry fruits that are nicely accentuated by a tinge of sweet spice toward the close. An air of ground clove and cedar lingers above a bed of well-formed tannins as this finishes long and gently structured. The balance here promises future development."

  • James Suckling: 93 – "Charming nose of cherries, wild currants, dried herbs and forest floor. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity. Vivid, nervy and crispy throughout. There is a spicy dimension with a transparent, succulent character at the end. Drink or hold."

From Our 2025 Bottle Cult Notes:

Evesham Wood is one of those wineries that doesn’t seek attention, so it’s easy to understand if you haven’t heard of them. Tucked into the rolling slopes of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Evesham Wood has quietly produced wines since 1986 that whisper of place rather than shout. I’ve been aware of their high quality since early in my wine career, but because of their rather modest marketing, I've never known too much about them. Recently, though, I revisited their wines through the 2022 Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée Pinot Noir and was reminded just how much I enjoy what they do. Featuring it as our May Bottle of the Month felt like the perfect chance for me (and you!) to dive deeper!

Founded by Russ and Mary Raney, the estate is anchored by the “Les Puits Sec” vineyar —French for “The Dry Well”—an organically farmed, east-facing slope at 300–420 feet in elevation in the Eola-Amity Hills, just northwest of Salem. The land, rich in volcanic basalt and cooled by Pacific breezes funneled through the Van Duzer Corridor, yields grapes of remarkable purity and restraint. Farming here has always followed a natural rhythm: no irrigation, no synthetic inputs—just deep reverence for the soil and seasons.

When Erin and Jordan Nuccio took the reins in 2010, that philosophy didn’t shift—it deepened. With Russ and Mary still nearby and consulting, Evesham Wood remains a sanctuary for thoughtful, hands-off winemaking rooted in respect for terroir. That philosophy is beautifully expressed in the 2022 Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir—a wine that seems to carry a piece of the hillside in every glass.

Made from fruit sourced from Les Puits Sec and neighboring sites—including the lofty Temperance Hill Vineyard and the warmer Illahe Vineyard—this bottling showcases the diversity of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Fermentation is slow and deliberate, with native yeasts, a gentle two- to three-day cold soak, and minimal extraction in small open-top fermenters. The wine then rests in mostly neutral French oak barrels, allowing its layers to unfurl naturally.

In the glass, the 2022 vintage reveals aromas of crushed red cherry, damp earth, and rose petal. The palate is silky and restrained, with notes of red berries, forest floor, and a whisper of spice, all supported by fresh acidity. There’s no gloss or excess—just the quiet confidence of a wine that knows exactly where it comes from.

Evesham Wood always delivers elegance and subtle power. It’s the kind of wine that lingers on the palate and in the memory, equally enjoyable as a daily pleasure or a cellar worthy gem. While 2020 brought smoke and 2021 brought heat, winemaker Erin Nuccio shared that 2022 delivered a different challenge: a freezing March that limited yields in lower-elevation sites. As a result, the wine leaned more heavily on hillside blocks, adding structure and tannin. The outcome is a wine with depth and nuance, offering aromas of black cherry, ripe blackberry, cola, and eucalyptus. The palate opens with a lush burst of fruit and a slightly fuller body, framed by elevated tannins and a lively bite of acidity.

Simply put, it’s a delicious Pinot Noir. I think you’ll love it. Pair it with nearly anything, but I’d especially recommend maple-glazed salmon, miso-roasted maitake mushrooms, or a grilled hanger steak. –Simi Grewal, DECANT Co-Founder