ELLSWORTH WINES

“It all comes together through relationships with thoughtful farmers working humbly in the valley.”

Domaine Overview

Year Founded: 2010

Winemaker: Scott and Dana Frank

Location: Portland, Oregon

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Melon

Farming: Biodynamic, organic

Scott Frank moved to the Willamette Valley in 2001 to serve as a retail wine buyer at a local grocery store. Living in working in the world-renowned Valley endeared Scott to its “humbleness—” or, as he describes it, the “blue-collar agricultural area” with promise towards fresh and simple Loire-inspired varietals.

After spending time working under Cameron Winery’s John Paul as assistant winemaker, Frank made a move for himself taking on his first vintage in 2010 and flying straight as an arrow towards his ever-evolving, ever-elegant Loire Valley styles sourced from organic and biodynamic farms in the Willamette.

Scott operates the winery in downtown Portland with his wife Dana.

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The Wines

2021 Melon Willamette Valley (Copy)

Muscadet’s ubiquity with all things oceanic holds true in this Willamette-grown take. Aged 6-8 months in vat.

2021 Fools Gold (Copy)

A Cheverny-style blend that started as an experiment but gets more refined with each vintage. This one has more Sauvignon Blanc than Chardonnay, the former aged in puncheon and the latter in barriques. Aged one year in cellar before bottling.

2021 Union School Vineyard Chenin Blanc (Copy)

Chenin Blanc hung on the vines until yellowed and speckled. Aged for 12-18 months in 500 liter casks.

2021 Rhinestones (Copy)

Frank’s tribute to Cheverny, with grapes from Johan Vintage. Each vintage has a different mix of Gamay and Pinot Noir in response to the growing season. Wine is aged in a combination of concrete and old barriques.

2021 Air Guitar (Copy)

Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Borgo Pass Vineyard and Cabernet Franc from Johan Vineyard come together in Bow & Arrow’s elegant red blend. Aged 10-12 months in puncheon.

2021 Cabernet Franc Willamette Valley (Copy)

Scott says: “This debut varietal bottle of Cab Franc was made according to the detailed notes I took at my favorite Chinon cellars a decade ago.” Fruit from Johan Vineyard ages 14 months in puncheon and seven months in barrel.

2021 Hughes Hollow Pinot Noir (Copy)

Sourced from a northern-facing slope planted a few decades ago as a throwaway plot, this Pinot Noir shines with flavors as vibrant as the label.