A recent conversation with Rusty Field, President and CEO of Evenstad Estates, reminded me just how much the world of wine and this pioneering company have evolved since I last tasted their wines in the early 2010s. Back then, I knew Evenstad Estates as a bold voice for Oregon Pinot Noir, driven by Grace and Ken Evenstad’s relentless pursuit of world-class wines. Fast forward: Field, a strategic force in both Oregon and Burgundy, presides over a global portfolio of wine and property that’s reshaping what it means to be an American wine estate on the international stage.
Oregon Roots, French Ambition
Winery Hill Aerial Photos Courtesy of the Winery
Evenstad Estates made history by doing what no other Oregon brand had, flipping the script on the “French come to Oregon” narrative. Instead, they headed to Burgundy. The acquisition of Château de la Crée in 2015 and the recent expansion into the Côte de Nuits, with vineyards in Bonnes-Mares, Clos Vougeot, and premier cru vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny and Nuits-Saint-Georges has given them a true global perspective. What started as an Oregon innovation is now an intercontinental experience in terroir, style, and stewardship.
New Leadership, New Storylines
Under Field, Evenstad Estates is more than a winemaker; it’s a curator of experience. The company’s vision is ambitious yet clear: produce world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, honor the legacies and histories of Oregon and Burgundy, and offer something rare to its wine club and visitors. Whether it’s village appellations, grands crus from France, or reserve bottlings from Oregon, Field sees the brand’s mission as elevating excellence globally and locally.
Domaine Evenstad: Opening Doors
The newest chapter is Domaine Evenstad — a Burgundy winery and visitor experience that invites guests to taste rare French wines, learn about the land, and participate in the cultural exchange between Oregon and France. It’s the realization of Grace Evenstad’s dream to blend the educational spirit of Willamette Valley with Burgundy’s history and prestige. The first Domaine Evenstad wines (from the 2022 harvest) will debut in 2025, marking another milestone for the estate and its American wine club members.
The Taste Test — Then vs. Now
The 55 Seventy Domaine Serene Line-Up
The shift since my first taste in the early 2010s is dramatic. Then: vibrant Oregon Pinot, willful and expressive. Now: a portfolio spanning award-winning Oregon bottlings (including Domaine Serene’s Evenstad Reserve Chardonnay, a recent Sommeliers Choice Award winner) to Burgundian masterpieces, with each bottle a nod to vision, legacy, and a little bit of risk-taking. I am very much looking forward to a future session to taste more of the French bottlings with Rusty.
What struck me in conversation is the sense of stewardship. Evenstad Estates is not just acquiring iconic vineyards — they’re elevating regions, connecting wine communities, and making global diversity tangible through the glass. With a CEO who sees value in rare parcels and global hospitality, and a founder still driving innovation from both sides of the Atlantic, the story is about audacity, evolution, and a willingness to challenge wine’s old rules for the next generation.
