Jason Lett is the co-owner of The Eyrie Vineyards, in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.
Jason discusses how his father, David Lett, helped transform the Willamette Valley into a growing region for Pinot Noir, acheiving worldwide acclaim for his efforts. Jason, who was born shortly after his father arrived in Oregon, retraces in this conversation the path that led his father there. He also talks about the character of his father, what he was trying to accomplish and why. Jason is clear about the state of winery, the wines, and his relationship with his father at the time of the transition to his own leadership at The Eyrie Vineyards.
Jason explains realizations he has made working with other grape varieties besides Pinot Noir in Oregon, such as Chasselas and Trousseau. He also talks about how the farming at the family properties has changed since his father's day. And he discusses how his approach to certain wines is different from his father's practice.
Jason is open about how trips to Burgundy and interactions with Burgundians have affected him and his work. He specifically talks about people like Gérard Potel, André Mussy, the Drouhin family, Michel Lafarge, Patrick Bize, and Romain Lignier. Some of Jason's comments about these people are further fleshed out in this episode by additional commentary spliced in from other interviews in the I'll Drink to That! archive.
Climate change is also discussed in this episode, as Jason addresses how this reality might be approached in the vineyard. And he talks about how the region that his father made famous for Pinot Noir has itself changed over the decades since.
This episode also features commentary from the following people:
Mimi Casteel, Hope Well Wine
Jacques Seysses, Domaine Dujac
Dominique Lafon, Domaine Comtes Lafon
Michel Lafarge, Domaine Michel Lafarge
Christophe Roumier, Domaine Georges Roumier
Becky Wasserman-Hone, Becky Wasserman & Co.
Russell Hone, Becky Wasserman & Co.
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