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Red dry
The Plow is a Pinot Noir made principally from the finest block of the Lingua Franca estate in the Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley. Lingua Franca was founded in Oregon in 2015 by Master Sommelier Larry Stone and Burgundy winemaker Dominique Lafon, with Lafon's protégé Thomas Savre in charge of winemaking. Block 1 is planted with a massal selection of PN777 on Gelderman-Jory soils with a layer of large gravels that, according to the winemakers, imparts extra energy to the vines. In 2022, for the first time, fruit from three more blocks was added: PN115 for roundness, the Calera clone for power and PN943 for structure.
According to the winemakers, this may be the most intensely aromatic Plow produced to date. Red and black cherry and pomegranate burst from the glass and the palate, the wine shows greater volume and dimension, and the finish is structured and layered with ripe tannins. It promises a long life ahead.
Because of the delayed season, only 4% whole clusters were used. Fermentation took place with native yeast in concrete and stainless steel tanks, and the wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (21% new) and a further 5 months in stainless steel.
Serve at 16–17 °C with duck, game, roast lamb or truffle dishes.
Lingua Franca is one of the most modern and highly regarded wineries in Oregon, located in the Willamette Valley, a region renowned for its cool-climate ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Pinot Noir’. Founded in 2012 by legendary Master Sommelier Larry Stone, the estate quickly gained acclaim. After a long career in some of the world’s finest restaurants, Stone decided to realize his dream of creating wines that speak the language of terroir. He is supported in this project by one of Burgundy’s most respected winemakers, Dominique Lafon (Meursault), while the winemaking is overseen by Thomas Savre, who trained in Burgundy and worked with such iconic domaines as DRC and Domaine Dujac. The name “Lingua Franca” symbolically means a “common language” – the language of wine that connects people across the world.
Wine Style
Lingua Franca wines are known for their elegance, purity, minerality, and balance. The style is based on a philosophy of minimal intervention – fermentation is carried out only with native yeasts, aging on the lees (“sur lie”) brings length and texture, while French oak is used with restraint to enhance structure without overpowering the expression of terroir. These are wines that are enjoyable when young, yet also demonstrate excellent aging potential.
Prestigious Vineyards
Lingua Franca’s flagship site is the LSV Estate Vineyard, located on the southern slopes of Eola–Amity Hills. Its terroir is defined by:
Aging and Drinking Window
Lingua Franca wines are aged in high-quality French oak barrels, typically with only a small proportion of new oak, to preserve subtlety and finesse. Thanks to their structure and precision, these wines shine in their youth but also possess the ability to age gracefully for a decade or more, revealing even greater complexity over time.
