Dear Friends, What an exciting and busy year it has been at Brooks! We took a big leap of faith this summer and opened our doors for the first time from 11-5 Tuesday-Sunday. We are overjoyed by how many of you made that extra effort to come see us! So many new friends! We have mostly been pouring our small productions wines (300 cases and less) and have enjoyed sharing them. It was truly a fantastic summer! There have been plenty of other reasons to celebrate this year! Not Brooks Crew: James, Janie, Chris, Heather & Dawn only is it our 15th year in business, our 2012 harvest was great! The fruit had excellent flavor development and plenty of sugar. Chris finally was able to get all the pinots in barrel by the end of Thanksgiving weekend. Next up...finishing those whites! We hope you enjoy the annual Red Book, full of new information and some great gift ideas! This annual Red Book is for you as we wouldn’t be here without your loyal support and good will! We are grateful for you, old and new friends! Have a safe and happy holiday season, filled with joy, laughter, love, good food and better wine! We look forward to seeing you again soon! Cheers, Janie, Chris, Pascal, Heather, Davin and James facebook.com/brookswines
@brookswinery
The Dirt Since our beginning, the alchemic symbol for soil has been stamped on the ends of our corks. Soil health is the foundation for quality farming. Following the principles of Biodynamic farming to optimize the health of the soil and vine was the path that our founder Jimi Brooks took since the inception of Brooks in 1998. To this day, he is considered a leader of the movement which is taking place in many vineyards in Oregon. We have been farming our Estate Vineyard since 2002 and are proud to announce that as of the 2012 vintage, we are certified Demeter Biodynamic.速 Wines that come solely from the Estate in 2012 will have this noted on the labels. In the past, wines from the Estate have included Rastaban Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Sweet P Riesling and Tethys Late Harvest Riesling.
Chris stirring.
Additional Information on Biodynamics VooDoo Vintners is a great book written by Katherine Cole about the history of biodynamics, its principles and the movement in Oregon. What we love about the book (besides the references to Brooks and Jimi) is its objectivity. It is very well written, informative and entertaining. For more information or to buy the book go to http://katherinecole.com/voodoo-vintners.html
www.Demeter-USA.org is a wealth of information including principles, certification requirements and the biodynamic calendar!
A Sampling of Preparations Used in Vineyard Dandelion Contains silicic acid helpful in drawing in the Cosmic forces. 500 Horn Manure Establishes a more structured soil that will support better root development. 501 Horn Silica Contains a light process focusing extra light energy from the crystals to the plant, increasing photosynthesis, making the plant stronger, and encouraging seed and fruit development. Yarrow Attracts light forces to the soil in the form of Potassium and Sulphur.
Photo: From the bottom, clockwise: 501 Horn Silica, 500 Horn Manure, Chamomile, Horsetail and Dandelions
Chamomile Strongly encourages the proteins in the compost to break down to more plant friendly nutrients. Valerian Helps attract the Saturn influence of warmth.
Founder Jimi Brooks
News and Events It was another fun, eventful year for Brooks. Here are some highlights and opportunities to join us! Looking Back… For the first time this year, we participated in the Bottle Notes Around the World in 80 Sips Events in San Francisco, Boston, Chicago and Houston! A community of wine lovers for sure. We highly recommend you checkout their site at www.bottlenotes.com The Mission of Salud is to provide healthcare for seasonal vineyard workers and their families. Every year over 50 wineries in Oregon create a unique Salud cuvee for the auction. We participated for the first time this year and were proud to be a part. For more information go to www.saludauction.org Coming Up… Wailea Wine and Food Festival—Wailea Resorts newest signature event. Join Janie December 6-9th, 2012. For tickets go to www.waileawineandfoodfestival.com Charleston Wine and Food Festival—A very special invitation to us this year to participate in so many events at one of the best festival line ups we have seen. Join Janie at seminars, tastings and a wonderful dinner at McCrady’s February 28th-March 3rd. For tickets go to www.charlestonwineandfood.com Pebble Beach Food and Wine—This will be our sixth year of participating in this event alongside some of the best chefs in the country. A not to miss for sure! April 4th-7th. For tickets go to www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com
In Honor of Our Founder, Jimi Brooks The Red Letter Pinot Noir is a very special wine we made for the first and only time in 2008 to honor our founder Jimi Brooks who passed away suddenly in 2004. This wine includes grapes from the three vineyards Jimi farmed, our Estate, Momtazi and WillaKenzie. What makes this wine unique and even more special is that WillaKenzie does not sell their fruit but they did to us for this wine. They even picked the fruit from his favorite Wadensvil block. 93 Points — Robert Parker I can report that it’s a wine that delivers on the promise of its name and its fine sources. Ripe, lightly-cooked purple plum and black raspberry mingle on the nose with hints of bacon fat as well as intimations of roasted red meats; all of these then emerge on a silken-textured palate transformed into a sappy, for the vintage surprisingly bright evocation of berry concentrates, mingled with mouthwatering, marrowy, multi-boned meat stock. Notes of piquant fruit pit; toasty nut oils; and a pungent, attractively green and piquant suggestion of lentil sprouts all add to the saliva-liberating, long-lasting savor of this beauty’s finish. Expect this to be well worth following for at least another half dozen years. 91 Points — Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar Bright ruby-red. Spice-accented, perfumed bouquet of wild red berries, rose, lavender and sassafras. Silky in texture and concentrated, with lively raspberry and cherry flavors picking up heft with air. Finishes smooth and focused, the cherry and floral notes repeating. This is delicious right now. We only produced 200 cases of this wine. Currently, it is only available in the tasting room and on our website at www.brookswines.com or call at 503-4351278.
Pascal’s Corner
Janie & Pascal at Cascade Head, Oregon
Seasons change quickly. One cold month allows us time to shake off the light cropping of snow to transition to the beautiful warm weather of summer. The sun beams down and basks us in its dancing light, leaving only a faint reminder that summer has only just begun. Within two weeks of my school year ending I was on my way to what would be the most pleasant summer of my
existence. Like every summer I was greeted by warm smiles, happy embraces and warmer weather. I was here, Portland, with my cousins and Aunt Janie. Every day, I loved the feeling of waking up, knowing that, on that day i had no plans, nothing to accomplish other than finishing my Advanced Placement US History studies and relaxing……a teenagers dream. So for weeks, we enjoyed listening to good music, watching pointless TV, and enjoying the fantastic views Oregon had to offer.
No sooner had my summer commenced then we took trip to Seattle. Maybe the flannel, my Portland origins, or the love of coffee there, but I have never been so drawn to a city. It seemed to fit everything I’ve ever wanted. Fresh fruit, fish right out of the ocean, vintage art and posters. Nothing could pull me away. That is what I thought until we dined at RN74. No sooner had I experienced the tartare than I could say my life is complete. Reading this one may think, “what a pretentious kid”, but i assure you it was an experience i won’t soon forget, and one i could never top. The Tartare at RN74, Seattle
We returned to Amity. My workload picked up, The fourth of July passed as did bottling wine at the winery. Soon it was mid July, and we were on our way to spend time with family in San Diego. The hot week gave way to the very essence of summer. Good food, shining sun, gentle breeze, and the clapping of waves as they rolled over on the next one. The week came casually and lingered, creating an environment i felt at home in. Soon a light sunburn covered my shoulders, my mind trying to conceive what I read in all of my books, and rest was just beginning to come back to me. The break from the break that I needed. The only pressure I had was to read my textbook and to spend as much time free of worry. The strain of the last year melted away with each tide. The next two weeks were filled with the experiences of Douglas Ranch Camp in Carmel Valley, California. I came in as an outsider, and left a little closer to the tight nit group of other Campers
Pascal took out the wine bag to visit buyers in Portland.
Pascal and Ryan toasting
Ryan, Pascal and Emily
Lazy summer days at the farm
Rafting!
In Leadership Training (CILTs). Much like school, one could never have too much sleep, staying up late has its consequences, and it gets easier when one falls into a schedule. The days began with breakfast, morning duties, and the griping of every person within the camp grounds.”Cold this morning, isn’t it?”became the side question of the morning, only to be replaced with the blistering heat and “hotter than yesterday, isn’t it?” afternoons. This warm light basked the surrounding hills in a golden light creating a very real ‘amber wave of grain’, and contrast between the glowing wheat of far away fields and the scraggly green trees was something to admire. The work at camp was not difficult, relaxed really. In my spare time I spent a substantial amount studying and writing my paper. Other times, I was sleeping, relaxing and listening to my music (it was a CILT privilege that we were allowed to keep our phones). Upon my return to ‘civilization’ I was greeted by two weeks worth of compounded summer work. And after a week, I sat staring at a finished summer assignment. Solitude at last, I was able to sleep
without a sensation of failure, and now a sense of accomplishment. The last week I spent with my family on the west coast was spent enjoying just what I remembered about Summer. We enjoyed a Giants game in San Francisco, a couple movies, plenty of good meals, and the enjoyment of a working turntable. My Uncle David even gave me one to take home. I was happy, but the 21st drew near and again I was surrounded by the continual hum of a plane engine and the incessant pain of traveling. East coast here I come. The first step of walking back in the now all too familiar Pittsburgh airport, I was greeted by my smiling mother. A fitting way to signify the start and end of the best summer of my life. Cheers,
Pascal and Jason French, owner/chef at Ned Ludd
Pascal at Concours d/Elegance getting Jay Leno’s autograph
Pascal
Janie and Pascal bottling 2011 Willamette Valley Riesling
Celebrating 15 Years! 1998 2001 2002 2004 2006 2008 2009 2009 2012
The winery was established. Jimi moved Brooks and became head winemaker at Maysara. We began farming the Eola Hills Vineyard biodynamically. The passing of our founder, Jimi Brooks, 1966-2004. The Equinox Wine Club began. We moved into current winery space in the Eola Hills. We purchased the Eola Hills Vineyard. Ara Riesling was poured for President Obama at his First State Dinner. Vineyard recieves Demeter Certification for Biodynamics.
Jimi (38) and his son Pascal (8) in July 2004. Pascal, now 16, is the youngest winery owner in the US.
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A Glimpse of the Growth How many.........
States could you find our wine Countries could you find our wine Cases produced Wine labels produced Vineyards owned Vineyards we buy from Wine Club members
1998
2005
2012
1 1 300 2 0 3 0
9 2 3,400 8 0 12 0
18 4 10,400 18 1 20 214
A Special Thanks We continue to be grateful for the vision and generosity of the winemakers who made our wine after the passing of our founder, Jimi Brooks, in 2004. Their continued guidance and friendship is an integral part our success since.
* Chris Williams, Maysara (now with Brooks) * David Autrey and Amy Wesselman,Westrey * Harry Peterson-Nedry, Chehalem * Jay Somers, J Christopher * Jim Prosser, J.K. Carriere * Josh Bergström, Bergström * Laurent Montalieu, Solena Cellars * Luisa Ponzi, Ponzi Vineyards * Patty Green, Patricia Green Cellars * Sam Tannahill and Cheryl Francis, Francis-Tannahill, A to Z * Steve Doerner, Cristom
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Equinox Members
tell us their favorite things about the club “In addition to great wines, we love the family focused business and how we are treated like good friends and not just another customer.” Member since 2009, Chicago, IL
“Love receiving my wine and enjoy sharing it with family and friends. Also being a member enables us to be a tiny part of keeping Jimi’s dream alive!” Member since 2009, Carmel, CA
“Is it the wine or the people? Hmmm…”, Member since 2008, Corvallis, OR “It is a great product produced by knowledgeable and friendly people.” Member since 2009, Chicago, IL
“Access to Brooks Wines (which are not distributed in my state), especially prior vintages.” Member since 2008, Dunwoody, GA “I get great wine without thinking about it!” Member since 2008, Williamston, 12 MI
Equinox
JOIN THE CLUB!
Equinox JOIN THE CLUB! Join the Club and enjoy having Brooks Wines delivered directly to your door up to three times per year! There are no membership fees to join! Other benefits include:
Enjoy having Brooks Wines delivered directly to your door up to three times per + Receive 10% discount on all wines and 20% discount on year! Equinox will offer limited production and occasional library wines for Club case purchases! + Two member only events overexciting the two Equinox weekends Members only... along with many other benefits:
(March & September) + Receive 10% discount on allfrom wines + Winemaker notes and recipes featured restaurants + Winemakerto Notes & Recipes each featured wine + Invitations Private Events &for Tastings + Invitations to & Tastings + Opportunity to Private collect Events large format and Limited Producbottles to collect large format bottles + tion Opportunity + Memorial + Memorial Weekend Weekend && Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Weekend Weekend members members enjoy enjoy aa complimentary complimentary tasting tasting at any of our event locations + Annual complimentary tasting for you & three guests + Annual complimentary tasting for you & three guests + No membership fees to join! + No membership fees to join!
We encourage youPERFECT to signGIFT! up on EQUINOX MAKES THE
our website: www.brookswines.com under Wine Celebrate a birthday, holiday, anniversary or wedding byClub purchasing orrecipients call 503-435-1278 a membership in the name for one year! CHOOSE THE PROGRAM THAT’S PERFECT FOR YOU: AURORA:
ARTEMIS PLUS:
- Enjoy four bottles per shipment,
- Limited number of memberships
[Goddess of the Dawn]
three times per year - Current release wines - Wine cost not to exceed $100*
POMONA:
[Goddess of Fruits and Fertility] - Receive Eight bottles per
shipment, three times per year
[Goddess of the moon]
available!
- A “Pinots Only” program - Enjoy eight bottles per shipment,
three times a year
- Current releases, library & limited
production wines
- Wine cost not to exceed $250*
Iris:
- Current releases, occasional
{Goddess of Rainbows}
* plus shipping & applicable taxes
- A “Whites Only” program - Enjoy 4 bottles per shipment Current release library wines - Current releaseand wines - Wine cost not to exceed $100*
library & limited production wines - Wine cost not to exceed $200*
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“GROW” YOUR CELLAR! “...Affordable, approachable, expressive wines that display an inherent balance of acid, fruit and tannin. ...Passion for top-quality Riesling and Pinot Noir...” - Cole Danehower, co-publisher and wine editor of Northwest Palate We encourage you to order from our online “wine shop.” It’s fast, easy and secure. www.brookswines.com or call us at 503.435.1278. equinox member Featured Wine bottle case* price**
Rieslings: 2009 Willamette Valley Riesling 2009 Ara Riesling 2011 Bois Joli Riesling 2011 Sweet P Riesling 2011 Tethys Late Harvest Riesling
$18 $25 $22 $22 $25
$194 $270 $238 $238 $270
$172 $240 $211 $211 $240
$20 $25 $22 $35 $45 $45 $50 $75
$216 $270 $238 $378 $486 $486 $540 $810
$192 $240 $211 $336 $432 $432 $480 $720
$15 $18 $15 $18 $18
$162 $194 $162 $194 $194
$144 $172 $144 $172 $172
Pinot Noirs: 2011 Runaway Red Pinot Noir 2011 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011 Pinot Noir Rose – limited 2010 Janus Pinot Noir 2010 Temperance Hill Pinot Noir 2010 Sunny Mountain Pinot Noir 2009 Rastaban Pinot Noir 2008 Red Letter Pinot Noir – limited Other Wines: 2010 Amycas 2009 Terue Dry Muscat 2011 Runaway White Pinot Blanc 2011 Oak Ridge Gewurztraminer 2011 Nicholas Gewurztraminer * Includes a 10% discount on purchases of 12 bottles or more.
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Holiday Offerings We have something for everyone! Pick from our most popular gift offerings below: White House Whites: Nab our White House President Obama State Dinner inspired white wine set featuring the 2009 Ara Riesling $55 Top Shelf Twosome: A sampling of our best—the 2009 Ara Riesling and the 2009 Rastaban Pinot Noir $72 Pinot 3 Pack: Our best sellers bundled for your Pinot lover! $100 The Gift of Equinox: Enroll a loved one, friend or business associate in our wine club. See options on page 13. It is the gift that keeps giving all year long!
All Gift Items on Website! www.brookswines.com or call 503-435-1278
Other than Wine! We have a great variety of additional items that are a great addition to a wine gift or perfect on their own! Wine Infused chocolate truffles and peanut brittle, logo wear, logo glasses and gift cards. Please visit our website and click on Wineshop>>Gift Offerings 15
ABOUT BROOKS
For those who are new to our circle ... and may not know our story: FOUNDED in 1998, Brooks is a reflection of the visionary Portland native, Jimi Brooks. His reverence for the land and vines made him a practitioner of organic and biodynamic farming. The great respect for vineyard individuality and mastery of blending, allowed his wines to achieve the greatest depth, flavors and balance. While Jimi is no longer with us, his dynamic spirit lives on through his wines, family and friends. With the outpouring of generosity and friendship by the Oregon wine community, we are delighted to share that Brooks Wines continues and is stronger than ever. Jimi’s son Pascal, who was the ultimate source of his passion for life, is the sole owner of the winery (at age 16, he’s the youngest winery owner in the world) and sister Janie Brooks Heuck has remarkably volunteered to lead it. To learn more visit www.brookswines.com.
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