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What
began over 20 years ago in Southern California as a small backyard
hobby has for Linde and Sharon Kester, become a second career and
a new way of life. In 1984 they planted a 30 acre vineyard in the
historic Lorane Valley. Their first commercial wines were produced
in 1991 and then in 1992 the Chateau Lorane tasting room was opened
on their 200 acre estate with tall green stands of fir trees and
a beautiful private lake. Amidst the spectacular scenery one can
experience a truly unique family of wines, from traditional Pinot
Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, to rare and exotic
varieties, painstakingly crafted handmade wines.
Chateau Lorane has created a distinguished group of wines which include rare and unusual grapes such as Baco Noir, Huxelrebe, Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, and Melon de Bourgogne. These are wines with distinct characteristics which one must taste to fully experience the breadth of flavors and nuances.
Chateau Lorane also produces fruit wines and meads from Apricots,
Raspberries, Huckleberries and Wild Blackberries which ripen to
perfection during Oregon's warm, dry summers. Some years Mother
Nature blesses Oregon with ideal conditions to create late harvest
wines. Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Marechal
Foch have been produced.
Linde's wine
making style has been described as being somewhat unconventional.
He admits that he likes to make non-traditional blends, he also
enjoys utilizing obscure grape varieties and in general tries to
make his wines as distinctive as possible. Priding themselves on
the flexibility and freedom to pursue such creative passions, Linde
and Sharon Kester are a welcome discovery to the wine lover in search
of unique wines of exceptional character.
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