Winemaker Interview Series – Daniel Estrin of Cristom – June 2026

On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, we had the opportunity to interview Daniel Estrin again. Daniel is the winemaker at Cristom Vineyards. During the interview, we covered two single-vineyard 2024 Chardonnays, five single-vineyard 2023 Pinot Noirs, and a single 2024 Pinot Noir cuvée. We wrapped up the interview with some updates and tidbits since our last chat that Daniel shared with the group. You can read the summary of our reviews of all these new-release wines in this post! (Note that the post also has reviews of a 2024 “Willamette Valley” Chardonnay and a 2024 “Willamette Valley” Pinot Noir that we covered in subsequent tastings.)

Before we get to the wines, I thought I would share some tidbits that Daniel shared in the interview.

• 2024 Vintage Update
  • Magical Vintage – Even growing season.
  • You would have to mess things up to make a bad wine.
  • Long cool window for picking grapes.
  • Wonderful flowering which led to plenty of fruit.
    • Diligent producers dropped fruit.
  • Broke records for the amount of fruit brought in.
  • Rain and heat events moved into the Pinot harvest, but they ended with perfect acidity.
• 2023 Pinot Vintage Update
  • Warmer and generous vintage.
  • Daniel likes the juxtaposition between fruit and tannin.
• Thoughts on 2024 Chardonnays
  • Seven Springs Vineyard
    • This is the last vintage from this vineyard – their 1-acre contract is ending.
    • No new oak barrels were used on this wine.
    • They are moving to all Estate fruit.
  • Louise Vineyard
    • 30% new oak was used on this wine.
  • Estate Updates
    • While not certified, All Estate fruit is 100% organic and biodynamic.
    • In 2026 only Chardonnay is from Royer Vineyard.
    • In 2026 – 90% of the fruit used for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay will be Estate fruit.
  • Winemaking and Vineyard Management Practices
    • They make their own compost.
    • They believe in whole cluster. On average 40% to 50%.
    • They have over 100 sheep and some KuneKune pigs in their grazing program.
    • They have a full-time vineyard staff.
    • They make their wines unfined and unfiltered.
  • Thoughts on Pinot Noirs and their Vineyards.
    • The 2024 Mt. Jefferson Cuvée is celebrating its 30^th
      • It also the first time it was made from 100% Estate fruit.
    • Jesse Vineyard is a very steep vineyard.
      • It takes twice as long to do all the hand work.
    • Louise Vineyard is the lowest elevation site.
      • It has less wind and is warmer.
      • 10% warmer than Eileen.
      • The lower half of the vineyard has 777 and Pommard clones.
      • The upper half has Dijon and Pommard clones.
    • Eileen Vineyard has the highest elevation.
      • It is picked later.
      • It has the largest array of clones. At least 6 different clones.
    • Marjorie Vineyard is in the middle.
      • It was first planted in 1982.
      • In the 2000’s if got infected with Phylloxera. 1/2 the vineyard had to be replanted.
      • It was replanted vine by vine.
      • Because they ripped out a lot. They only get 20 to 22 barrels of wine from it in a good vintage.
    • Paul Gerrie Vineyard is the youngest vineyard.
      • It was planted in 2014.
      • It is the last Estate fruit to get picked.
      • It has a lot of Pommard clone. It can get powerful really fast.
    • The 2024 Chardonnay and 2024 Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley.
      • They contain very high-quality fruit.
      • Intended for glass pour programs.
      • 75% of the Chardonnay is from Paul Gerrie Vineyard.
      • The Pinot Noir is all purchased fruit from Eola-Amity, Yamhill-Carlton & Ribbon Ridge AVA’s.
    • The Van Duzer Corridor is Oregon’s Petaluma Gap.
      • Eola Amity Hills is on the other side.

Below is a summary of the wine offerings from Cristom that we covered with Daniel. The links below are to our full reviews. If you are interested in ordering and trying these wines, you will find some of these wines via your favorite fine wine shop or on top quality wines lists. You can also find a few online. For example, you can purchase these wines on the Cristom website.

1. Cristom Vineyards 2024 Chardonnay “Seven Springs Vineyard” (Eola Amity Hills) $60 (KWGTP 94)
2. Cristom Vineyards 2024 Chardonnay “Louise Vineyard” (Eola Amity Hills) $70 (KWGTP 93.5)
3. Cristom Vineyards 2024 Pinot Noir “Mt. Jefferson Cuvée” (Eola Amity Hills) $45 (KWGTP 94)
4. Cristom Vineyards 2023 Pinot Noir “Jessie Vineyard” $80 (Eola Amity Hills) (KWGTP 93.5)
5. Cristom Vineyards 2023 Pinot Noir “Louise Vineyard” $80 (Eola Amity Hills) (KWGTP 93.5)
6. Cristom Vineyards 2023 Pinot Noir “Eileen Vineyard” (Eola Amity Hills) $80 (KWGTP 94.5)
7. Cristom Vineyards 2023 Pinot Noir “Marjorie Vineyard” (Eola Amity Hills) $80 (KWGTP 93.5)
8. Cristom Vineyards 2023 Pinot Noir “Paul Gerrie Vineyard” (Eola Amity Hills) $80 (KWGTP 95)

Additional Cristom Wines Covered In Subsequent Tastings:

9. Cristom Vineyards 2024 Pinot Noir “Willamette Valley” $30 (KWGTP 91.5)
10. Cristom Vineyards 2024 Chardonnay “Willamette Valley” $30 (KWGTP 91)

You can find reviews of past and future Cristom wines that we cover on the Cristom Vineyards KWG winery page on our website. We hope you enjoy these terrific wines as much as we did. Cheers! – Ken