New Label from Decorated Willamette Valley Winery Showcases a Reunion of Historic Estate Vines
CARLTON, OR, March 28, 2024 – Amid the verdant, rolling hills of Oregon’s Willamette Valley lies Résonance, the widely acclaimed producer that stands as the first project outside of France from the iconic producer Maison Louis Jadot. As the winery embarks on its second decade of crafting distinct renditions of Burgundian varietals, Résonance is delighted to announce the debut release of the Founder’s Blocks Pinot Noir. The single-site expression provides a new perspective on the estate vineyards upon which the winery was founded, along with the extensive efforts the Maison Jadot team undertook to highlight the terroir of its second home.
Résonance has quickly gained critical and consumer acclaim since the release of its initial 2013 vintage, reflecting a considered balance of the historic and modern faces of Pinot noir production. The origins of the “Founder’s Blocks” story aligns with the founding of Résonance in 2013, when Maison Louis Jadot’s Director of Operations Thibault Gagey, along with Head Winemaker Jacques Lardière, launched a search in the Willamette Valley to find a vineyard capable of producing wines reminiscent of Burgundy’s top domaines. It was with Résonance Vineyard, originally planted in 1981 within the Yamhill Carlton sub-AVA, where the Jadot team discovered a site worthy of this goal. After purchasing the property that year, the winemaking duo of Lardière and Guillaume Large—who was eventually named Résonance Head Winemaker for the 2017 vintage—began crafting Pinot noir from the estate’s vines under its new name.
A few years later, it was discovered that the parcel of land adjacent to the Résonance Vineyard had been a part of the original estate. Accordingly, the Jadot team acquired the site in 2015 and planted vines upon the slopes, naming the vineyards “Jolis Monts” (Pretty Hills). In the following years, Lardière and Large noted how these two adjacent vineyards elegantly expressed the unique characteristics, flavors, and terroir that the winery had become known for. To honor the totality of this discovery, the team selected the very best blocks of fruit from each vineyard to create a new “Founder’s Blocks” blend.
“We are thrilled to introduce this exceptional wine,” notes Large, ” Founder’s Blocks embodies everything we stand for – quality, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the land. It helps tell the story of our winery’s commitment and passion for Pinot noir, and the inseparable link between Burgundy and the Willamette Valley.”
With the introductory vintage of Founder’s Blocks Pinot Noir by Résonance, Large and the team aim to channel the history of the land, the inspiration of the founders, and the collaborative energy between Oregon and Burgundy as reflected in two reunited vineyards.
The 2021 Founder’s Blocks Pinot Noir, priced at $75, is available now from select retailers and directly from the winery. For more information on the Founder’s Blocks Pinot Noir and Résonance Winery, please visit the winery’s website at https://resonancewines.com/.
About Résonance
Purchased in 2013 and focused on Pinot noir and Chardonnay, Résonance Vineyard sits in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, in a hidden part of Willamette Valley just west of the small agricultural town of Carlton. The seeds for the project were planted when Maison Louis Jadot set out to establish its first winery outside of Burgundy. Follow and like Résonance on Facebook @Resonancewines and Resonancewines on Instagram using hashtag: #ResonanceWine.
