Winemaker David Lloyd is the founder of Eldridge Estate (sold in 2022 and now called Eldridge) and the instigator and ex-director of the Mornington Peninsula’s iteration of the International Pinot Noir Celebration. When he heard that its inspiration, the Oregon International Pinot Noir Celebration, was set to end in 2024, he made sure to be there.
What is International Pinot Noir Celebration?
Oregon’s International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) began in 1987 and may have ended with the 2024 event held in July. It has always been held at Linfield University, in McMinnville, Oregon, which surely must be one of the most beautiful settings for any wine event in the world.
IPNC began at a time when most wine consumers understood that California produced some world-famous wines while Oregon wines were relatively unknown. In 1976, Stephen Spurrier MW held the famous ‘Judgement of Paris’ tasting that firmly cemented Californian wine in the minds of the global wine community.
Oregon wine producers, too, wanted to gain international recognition and decided to stage what is now known as IPNC. The Oregon producers were given a $1000 grant from the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce to create an event to inform wine consumers that Oregon produces pinot noir of a quality equal to anything in the world. IPNC was begun to show and promote not only Oregon pinot noir but the diversity of pinot noir from all over the world.
International Pinot Noir Celebration itinerary
IPNC 38 was held over Friday July 26 to Sunday July 28 and involved more than 300 volunteers, 60 top chefs from the Pacific Northwest and more than 70 pinot producers, including some internationals. Although IPNC is a celebration of pinot noir, I also enjoyed great Champagnes such as La Grande Dame by Veuve Cliquot, Grand Siecle from Laurent-Perrier and Blanc de Blancs from Charles Heidsieck.
Burgundian Dominique Lafon, famous for producing fabulous chardonnays, participated in the Grand Seminar where he shocked those present by stating that he did not like chardonnay. After the audience’s collective gasp, Lafon went on to explain that he liked terroir and that he hoped that one day there would be parts of Oregon known for chardonnay in the same way as Meursault. Lafon was then asked what his favourite part of wine production was and his response, that it was when he loaded a pallet of his wine onto the truck to be sold, once again amused his audience. When asked what made a wine great, Lafon’s answer was simple: “It will be great from the beginning”. An Oregon winemaker on the same panel quipped: “If it’s not yummy it’s crummy”.
I am sharing these anecdotes because while IPNC is a serious celebration of pinot noir, it’s also entertaining and fun for attendees. It is also well-balanced with a range of activities and locations sharing a common link to pinot noir. This year’s event may have featured over 100 wines to taste, but the pace was leisurely and never dull. This was no boring wine tasting with growers and winemakers and their pattern-card explanations for their passion and why their vineyard is so special. IPNC was also accompanied by stunning catering that surpassed restaurant quality. Each day commenced with an abundant array of locally baked goods, Oregon’s legendary fresh berries plus excellent coffee, either espresso or filtered.
IPNC organisers ensure attendees gain a real appreciation for the region and the land where the wines are produced. We were bussed around to various local vineyards where mini seminars featured five wine producers from either Oregon or California. The fun part was watching the producers, after describing their vineyard and wine production, blind taste, trying to identify which wine was theirs. The wines, carefully chosen, were clearly excellent, and the task was not easy; several producers mistakenly selected another producer’s wine for theirs.
Best pinot noir wines
So, what was my favourite wine across the three-day event? While I tasted many beautiful chardonnays and pinots, the standout was a riesling at the last night’s dinner, where as a bonus, many winemakers wandered about pouring older wines from magnums – even a jeroboam was spotted – of something special. Wynne Peterson-Nedry of Ridgecrest Wine tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I would like to try a 2004 riesling made from her vineyard by her dad. It was simply divine, showing pure riesling flavours with no residual sugar distraction. The last time I'd had an old riesling with such beauty it was also from a region known for pinot noir. As a point of interest, regions in Austria and from the likes of Mosel, and even Alsace which are famous for their rieslings, are also now producing some lovely pinot noirs. Clearly if a region can produce great pinot noir, it can probably also produce great riesling.
Sunday morning’s program was particularly worth noting. Described by some as a “bacchanalian bubbly breakfast”, attendees were served various Champagnes by toga-attired sommeliers and feasted on freshly caught salmon and locally sourced, freshly shucked oysters.
Unfortunately, it appears that IPNC 39 in 2025 is in doubt. An event of this scale takes a huge effort and a lot of finance; organisers are concerned that the $2000+ price tag for three days of fabulous food, great wines and a packed leisurely program of fun is no longer accessible to the average wine lover. Instead, they may opt for a scaled-back, simpler and cheaper option.
Would I go again? Well, this was my third visit. So, the answer is YES!
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Image credits: International Pinot Noir Celebration, Eldridge, Wine Australia.
