The Beaux Frères story began in 1986 when Michael G. Etzel, a Colorado Springs wine salesman, took a road trip to Oregon with his wife and three young sons, after reading an alluring review of a 1983 Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. They took an impulsive detour to check out a foreclosed 88-acre pig farm about 20 minutes from their destination, and upon seeing the idyllic hillside, cute little bungalow, and lush pasture at the top of the dirt road, began to wonder: Could a quiet, farm life growing grapes for the burgeoning local wine scene be possible? With an investment from Michael’s sister Pat and her husband, wine critic Robert Parker Jr., the dream began to take shape, and was aptly named Beaux Frères—French for brothers-in-law.

The following summer, Michael moved his family to the farm, where he began working as the vineyard manager, planting Pinot Noir and slowly transforming the property. While planting the Beaux Frères Vineyard, Michael also worked four harvests at Ponzi Winery; and in 1990, he harvested his first crop and sold them the grapes. In 1991, Michael renovated the main barn, building the Beaux Frères winery; the first estate vintages of Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir followed soon after.

In the spring of 2017, Beaux Frères partnered with the eighth-generation, French, family-owned Maisons & Domaines Henriot. Today, Beaux Frères is led by the second generation; Mike D. Etzel—Michael’s middle son—works in role of winemaker, managing the estate and crafting notably expressive wines from the Willamette Valley. It is with great excitement and anticipation that we welcome sales representative, Tom Switzer, to our wine bar to share a flight of five distinct Beaux Frères’ Pinot Noirs.

THE WINES:

2021 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley - Retail: $37.50, $15.25/glass

2019 Beaux Frères 'Star Dance' Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton - Retail: $90.00, $29.50/glass

2019 Beaux Frères 'Star Mooring' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountain - Retail: $90.00, $29.50/glass

2019 Beaux Frères 'Belles S≈ìurs Cuv√©e' Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge - Retail: $67.00, $23.25/glass

2018 Beaux Frères Beaux Frères Vineyard' Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge - Retail: $105.00, $33.75/glass

No reservations required. Must be 21+ to attend.