Our February wine club took us all over Oregon through the lens of a single winemaker: Jeff Vejr.

While much of Oregon wine is dominated by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir rooted in the Willamette Valley's volcanic 'jory' soil, Jeff's work sits firmly outside of the monolith. His mission is in the state's plantings of own-rooted, dry farmed old vines, from old clones and seldom seen varieties.

It's a set of wildly delicious, fascinating bottles – and, pieces of Oregon's untold history.

If you missed out on the February club, we have a couple bottles left of each wine, below. And! This is your PSA that there are just 10 spots left in March Leon Circle, which will feature some incredible back vintages and special releases from the world's best 👀 Join the club!

If you like details as much as we do:

Prior to prohibition, Oregon's wine industry was centered north of the primary Willamette Valley, around a unique pocket of deep loess soil. It's incredibly unique in the context of American wine: 100% loess, a porous, sedimentary soil that runs a whopping 35 feet deep here. With nothing to stop them, own-rooted vines grow vast, intricate root systems. There was also a greater range of grapes planted; 19th century tourists sipped more Chasselas than Chardonnay.

Charles Coury vineyard in the northern Willamette Valley

It's here that Jeff Vejr also found his footing in winemaking. Coming from the restaurant side (he's co-owner of Portland's acclaimed L'Orange), he randomly happened upon one of the state's only plantings of his favorite grape, Sémillon, planted by Charles Coury in 1966. It was a chance encounter that set him off on a relentless pursuit of obscure varieties.

Lineman vineyard in the Columbia Gorge

Now, he's making a staggering range of wines, all rare, small production moments in time that span over two dozen grape varieties and seemingly every terroir in the state – from Coury's historic loess, to the Willamette Valley's jory soil, and the absolutely electric volcanic soils of the Columbia Gorge.

2022 Golden Cluster 'Coury' Old Vine Sémillon, Willamette Valley, $30
Yes, that's the Sémillon he spotted in Charles Coury vineyard. The wine sees a hefty 30 months on the lees in 1500L oval cask, and the result is a rich, vinous Sémillon that delivers on texture and saline, concentrated citrus fruit. Sadly, the vineyard has been sold by its owners and this '22 bottling is his final bottling of this very historic site. An incredible way to go out!

2024 Dionystic 'Miller' Pinot Meunier, Van Duzer Corridor, $35
This is one of the only cuvées that Jeff sources from the Willamette Valley's now-iconic jory soil. But, with a twist: instead of the region's archetypal Pinot Noir, he's working with biodynamic Pinot Meunier (a snappy mutation of Pinot that we also know and love from one of the most important estates in American wine, The Eyrie Vineyards). It's a ridiculously fresh, layered bottle with floral, dark wild berry fruit; a totally new take on Oregon Pinot.

2022 Golden Cluster 'Lineman Old Vine 1978 Planting' Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Gorge, $35
This is from one of the very first vineyards planted on the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge (and the state's oldest planting of Cabernet Sauvignon), a truly volcanic site dotted with dazzling black obsidian rocks. Jeff had a great note for us: these slow-ripening, own-rooted vines develop extremely mature pyrazines, which transform the grape's green, peppery aromatics into something closer to complex Hungarian paprika. Lavished with taut, dark fruit, it's a very big and very delicious bottle that feels completely unique in the space of American Cabernet.

About Our Wine Club, Leon Circle:

Leon Circle is 3 wines per month (at a discount), based on the bottles we're inspired by and enjoying ourselves at Leon & Son. Every drop includes thoughtful notes with the same context you'd get drinking them along with us.

Plus! Exclusive discounts on more wine and (all!) classes, a snazzy tote, bonus members-only tastings and more throughout the year.

Available for pickup, NYC delivery and national shipping.

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