Winemaker Dinner Series 2024
Arden presents…
GROWING BETTER WINE
A winemaker dinner series serving conscious wine conversations over the family table
Arden’s 2024 winemaker dinner series features special dinners with local and international winemakers. The series will promote conscious wine conversations over the family table and is dedicating to exploring sustainability and intentionality in the world of wine. Each dinner, limited to just 30 seats, will feature not only a 4-course menu specially written by Chef Erik Van Kley to pair with the wines, but also a captivating conversation with the winemaker on the topic of sustainability and other pressing wine issues of the day. From biodynamic farming to climate considerations to soil series and beyond, these evenings will offer an immersive and enlightening experience for curious wine enthusiasts. Notably, this series will highlight not only local Pacific Northwest favorites, but also international winemaking rockstars. The dinners will be announced in sets of three, so stay tuned later this year for the full lineup!
Francesca Argamante
Podere Ruggeri Corsini
Barolo, Italy
Monday, March 4th 6pm
Corsini Winery was founded by the Argamante family in 1994 and has been creating sustainable and eco-friendly wines since day one. Their forwards-thinking practices include using lighter bottles, a phyto-purification system, solar panels, and organic and biodynamic farming techniques. Located in the heart of Piedmont, Corsini crafts classic varietals like Nebbiolo, Barbera, Arneis and more. And of course, their flagship Barolos are the star of the show!
Grant Coulter
Hundred Suns
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Monday, April 8th 6pm
Founded by Renée and Grant Coulter (previous winemaker of Beaux Frères and Flâneur), Hundred Suns crafts exceptional Oregon wines that harmonize with the environment. They source fruit from their own historic Eola-Amity vineyard as well as from like-minded growers who share their dedication to responsible farming practices. They produce wines that authentically represent their passion for both quality and the environment, with a major focus on the terroir and soil series of the Pacific Northwest. Expect both traditional and unique Oregon wines at this dinner!
Kris Fade + Steven Thompson
Analemma
Columbia Gorge, Oregon
Monday, May 6th 6pm
Nestled in the Columbia Gorge’s picturesque Mosier Valley, Analemma is a biodynamic grower-producer crafting honest, unadulterated wines that reflect the Gorge's vibrancy. Their rugged hillside vineyards are shaped by volcanic soils and a dynamic climate, yielding wines that express their growing season and terroir. Because of the Columbia Gorge's striking similarities to Spain's Ribeira Sacra, Analemma has a unique focus on Spanish varietals such as Albariño, Godello, Tempranillo and Mencía.
Nate Ready
Hiyu
Columbia Gorge, Oregon
Monday, June 24th 6pm
Founded in 2010 by former master sommelier Nate Ready (The French Laundry, Antica Terra), China Tresemer and Geoff and Colleen Burke, Hiyu Wine Farm embodies a holistic approach to winemaking rooted in a profound connection to the land. Hiyu takes biodiversity to a whole new level by planting a diverse array of grapes together and embracing the ancient method of field blending. Their low-tech processing methods, including foot treading and herbal composting preparations, reflect a deep commitment to sustainability and have earned them a prestigious nod from the James Beard Foundation. The wines of Hiyu are singular in their flavor profile and will reframe your understanding of of the concept of terroir.
Clemence Lelarge
Lelarge Pugeot
Champagne, France
Monday, July 22nd 6pm
Lelarge Pugeot, a family endeavor since 1799, embodies the spirit of sustainable winemaking in Champagne. Located in Vrigny, a Premier Cru village in the Montagne de Reims, Lelarge Pugeot farms 7 hectares of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier to produce a range of Champagne styles. Since 1985, they have shifted towards organic farming and introduced eco-friendly practices. The winery has since achieved both organic and biodynamic certifications. They employ biodynamic preparations, plough with horses, respect lunar cycles, and use herbal teas to nurture the vines. With a commitment to sustainable agriculture and a deep connection to terroir, Lelarge Pugeot crafts natural, distinctive Champagnes that embody that showcase the terroir and personality of the soils.
Kelley Fox
Kelley Fox Wines
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Monday, August 5th 6pm
Kelley Fox Wines, founded by Kelley Fox in 2007, stands as a testament to sustainable winemaking in the heart of the Willamette Valley. A veteran of iconic Oregon wineries Torii Mor, Hamacher and Eyrie (where she was mentored by the godfather of Oregon wine David Lett himself!), Kelley farms blocks of historic vineyards including Maresh, Momtazi, Freedom Hill, Durant and more. Kelley's winemaking ethos encompasses organic and biodynamic practices, focusing on the entire vineyard ecosystem, including native flora and fauna. Her approach isn't about imposing ideas but rather responding to the essence of each block of fruit, reflecting the earth and the year it embodies. Kelley produces elegant Oregon wines in classic and creative styles with minimal intervention.