Bryn Mawr was purchased as a tiny garagiste winery by the Lauer family in 2009. Perched high on the western crest, the property came with four acres of established vines, a basement winery, and a steep hillside replete with volcanic boulders. They partnered with winemaker and viticulturalist Rachel Rose to develop a world-class vineyard. Rose chose a diverse selection of Pinot and Chardonnay clones and rootstocks well-suited for a precipitous site, and under her leadership, Bryn Mawr has grown from <500 cases to approximately 10,000 over the course of a decade. While elegant Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays remain the primary focus of her winemaking, she's preparing for the future by planting exciting and novel varietals for the Willamette Valley, including Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Dolcetto, and Tempranillo.
Rachel is an adaptive and experimental winemaker working to bridge the gap between natural and conventional winemaking. She is remarkably prolific. making an array of unique wines that require adept skill and technical knowledge. Her primary winemaking philosophy focuses on minimal use of SO2, judicious use of new French oak, and continual experimentation. She farms without tilling, focusing on complete site health and promoting healthy, self-sustaining ecosystems between plant, soil, and microbial life. Through contemplative intervention in the vineyard and the cellar she aims to express and elevate the unique characteristics of each vintage of wine she makes.
