Dec 30, 2022
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Haden Fig
| Owner(s) | Erin Nuccio, Jordan Nuccio |
| Web site | www.hadenfig.com |
| Link to this site |
Serendipity seems to take us on many unexpected paths in life. A perfect example is story of Erin and Jordan Nuccio. As a young man, Erin had no intention of pursuing a career in winemaking. Instead, he was eagerly anticipating the start of culinary school and happened to land a job at a prestigious wine store in the Washington D.C. area. A passion for wine was soon ignited, and he became the manager of the store. Erin soon met Jordan, an aspiring veterinarian and romantic interest, and the pair moved to the northeast as Erin explored the distribution side of the wine business. It was to be the first stop on a journey that would eventually land the couple in the Willamette Valley.
With two dogs, two rabbits and a cat in tow, Erin and Jordan headed west to Berkeley, California. The couple wasn't enamored with the college town, but they made the most of their time there, with Jordan exploring holistic veterinary medicine and Erin enthusiastically immersing himself into winemaking and viticulture in nearby Napa and Sonoma. It was the wines from Oregon, however, that stirred Erin's interest the most.
With Oregon's Willamette Valley calling, the menagerie was loaded into the car once again, and off they went. Shortly after the move, Erin was fortunate to meet Russ and Mary Raney of Evesham Wood Winery. The Raneys took Erin under their wing and he worked three harvests there, developing his skills as assistant winemaker and consummating a long-time smoldering love affair with the Pinot Noir grape. Most significantly, he learned to craft wines with elegance and nuance, signature qualities of Evesham Wood wines.
As luck would have it, Erin's launch of his own label, Haden Fig, coincided with the outstanding 2008 vintage in Oregon. His hip label features a painting of a Northern Saw-whet Owl artfully created by Eli Halpin. Jordan Nuccio had become enamored with this owl while working at the Portland Audobon Society as a volunteer veterinarian. The Saw-whet Owl is a natural predator for small rodents in the vineyard, sometimes residing in nearby nesting boxes, and a symbol for sustainable agriculture. The name is derived from the sound of the owl's call which is said to resemble a saw being sharpened with a whetstone.
The name Haden Fig is curious to say the least, and I asked Erin how the name originated. He said, "When it came time to name the winery we were up to our ears in baby books trying to pick the perfect name for our soon-to-be-born baby boy. This was an enormous and exhausting task, but finally the name Haden came to us. I am not sure if we had stumbled upon the name of our winery or the name of our son, but it stuck in both cases. As for the 'fig' component, this might have been a subconscious homage to Mark Twain and his Huck Finn. It just sounded right, and it has become the name of a dream realized."
The wines are available on the website.
Articles About Haden Fig
2010 Pinots Tasted in the Willamette (9.11 9/11/2012)
2012 Oregon Value Priced Pinot Noirs Honorable Mention (9.17 12/26/2012)
2014 Oregon Pinot Noir First Team All-Americans (10.2 12/22/2014)
2014 Oregon Value Priced Pinot Noir First Team All-Americans (10.2 12/22/2014)
2018 Oregon Value Priced Pinot Noir All-Americans (11.36 12/29/2018)
Chardonnay Smackdown (11.26 7/14/2018)
Embraceable (and Affordable) New Pinot Noir Releases from Oregon (11.19 2/20/2018)
More Juicy 2010 Oregon Pinot Incoming (9.15 11/24/2012)
Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Pinot Noir & More (9.42 5/25/2014)
Small Sips of Oregon Pinot Noir (8.11 2/15/2010)
Still More Oregon Wines to Savor (9.15 11/24/2012)
Reviewed Wines
2016 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13% alc. $22. Barrel fermented using native
yeasts, aged on unstirred lees for 9 months in neutral French oak barrels and goes through
complete malolactic conversion.
·
Light golden yellow color in the glass. Heady aromas of lemon
curd creme brulee, pear and spice charge from the glass over an extended time. Bright and
embraceable in the mouth, with flavors that echo the aromas along with added lemon-lime tension.
More fruit driven on the nose and citrus acid-driven on the palate, a winning combination.
Score: 93.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $26.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass.
Scents of cherry, smoke and cigar box arise from the glass. Lighter weighted, with cherry and raspberry fruit
flavors framed by silky tannins, finishing with a slightly tart cherry note. An easy drinking back porch wine.
Score: 87.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Haden Fig Bjornson Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $30.
·
Moderately
light garnet color in the glass. The nose opens slowly to reveal lovely aromas of black cherry and
spice with a hint of toasty oak. On the palate, the wine’s slightly earthy undertone compliments the
vivid and caressing black cherry and purple berry flavors offering considerable length and
pleasure. The tannins are ingratiating, and the finish is joyous.
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Haden Fig Croft Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $30. Made from
certified organic grapes.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Plenty of earthy goodness and
toasty oak on the nose. The mid-weight core of juicy cherry and raspberry fruits moderately
overlain with oak. The tannins gently ply the background, the texture is quite polished, and there
is a modest finish featuring dark raspberry coulis.
Score: 89.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Haden Fig “Juliette” Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13.5% alc., $40. Others say “best” or
“reserve,” but Erin says “Juliette.” A selection of the best barrels of Chardonnay destined for the
normal bottling that came from Mahonia Vineyard. Extended lees aging without stirring. This is the
Puligny to complement Le Puit Sec’s Chassagne.
·
Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. The
nose is stony, flinty and buttery all at once. Seductive flavors of citrus, pear and kiwi with a mineral-laden
character. Crisp and refreshing, with defining acidity the slightest tannins and an inspired
finish of uncommon length. A special wine that demonstrates why people are saying that worldclass
Chardonnay is Oregon’s next big thing.
Score: 94.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Haden Fig Le Puits Sec Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $36. A single fermenter
allowed to ferment using native yeasts.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Demure cherry aromas
are framed by woody, earthy flora ingress. Mid weight flavors of black cherry and purple berry
reveal discrete extraction. A savory thread permeates the background. The texture is pleasingly
creamy, the tannins are reserved and there is good finishing fruit pulp aromas.
Score: 90.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Haden Fig “Juliette” Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $55. Erin’s favorite barrel of Pinot Noir
production in 2014, named after his 6-year-old daughter.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Moderate garnet
color in the glass. The nose offers a savory wonderland of aromas including underbrush, animal fur, forest and
dried herbs combined with wild berry. Rather untamed and exotic with a savory herbal tone underlying the mid
weight dark cherry and raspberry fruit essence. The tannins are firm at this stage and the finish is fine but not
extraordinarily long. Definitely age worthy, this unusual wine tends to grow on you over time in the glass.
Score: 91.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2012 Haden Fig Bjornson Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 123 cases, $30. 5
favorite barrels.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the
glass. Interesting aromatics featuring scents of ripe cherry, fig
(seems appropriate) and bourbon. Extra-delicious core of
black cherry and black raspberry fruit, nicely spiced with an
additional peppery note. Admirable harmony, and a long, memorable finish that
makes the knees weak. This is a wine that tugs at your emotions and defies
adequate description. One of the best values in Oregon Pinot Noir.
Score: 94.
Reviewed July 6, 2014
ARTICLE »
2012 Haden Fig Cancilla Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 148 cases, $30.
Produced and bottled at Evesham Wood by the same winemaker. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate
reddish purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with bright aromas of black cherry, black
raspberry, dried rose petals and spice. Delicious mid to full-bodied flavors of black cherry and black
raspberry that fills the mouth with goodness and carries over to the captivating finish. This beauty
has the structure for the long haul and deft oak harmony. Did I say the finish was amazing? A steal
at this wallet-friendly price.
Score: 93.
Reviewed July 6, 2014
ARTICLE »
2010 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., 800 cases, $24. Aged in 10% new French oak.
·
Moderately rich mix of dark stone and berry fruit aromas and flavors. A user-friendly, fruity wine. Decent.
Reviewed September 12, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Haden Fig Bjornson Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 75 cases, $30, sold
out.
·
A very impressive wine offering vibrant pie-filling flavors with a pleasant accent of baking spice.
Nicely composed and thoroughly enjoyable with a memorable finish. Very good.
Reviewed September 12, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Haden Fig Cancilla Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Barrel Select Pinot Noir
13.25% alc., $30.
Aged in 25% new French oak. 50% each Pommard and Dijon clones.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple
color in the glass. Middleweight flavors of dark red and purple fruit framed by good acidity and
backed by firm, ripe tannins. Very good.
Reviewed September 12, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Haden Fig Cancilla Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $30. Produced and bottled by Evesham Wood Vineyard &
Winery.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. This wine
definitely needs decanting if you drink now. Upon opening it offered
shy but alluring aromas of dark red cherries, briar and marzipan. The
core of red fruits was accented with spice and herbs and although the
tangy red cherry finish showed promise, the wine seemed a bit dilute and flat.
The following day it was tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle
and had undergone an amazing transformation. The intensity of well-spiced
cherry flavor had ramped up, the finish had picked up more generosity and
length, and the wine became thoroughly enjoyable. Very good.
Reviewed November 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2008 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc..
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass.
Aromas of cherry pie glaze, underbrush and the slightest oak lead to bright and juicy flavors of cherry, red
raspberry and red plum. The wine still has a firm tannic backbone. The finish is replete with cherry goodness.
Enjoyable now or can be cellared short term.
Score: 90.
Reviewed February 21, 2015
ARTICLE »
2008 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.50,
$25. Sourced from five Willamette Valley vineyards (Cancilla,
Mahonia, Momtazi, Eola Springs and Madrona) cropped a 2.0 to 2.5
tons per acre. A debut wine from owner and winemaker Erin Nuccio.
·
Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Deep and heady
scents of dark cherries, forest floor, oak toast and crushed rock. Light
but pleasing in the mouth with tasty black cherry, cranberry and dark berry fruit
with a faint sidecar of oak spice. Soft tannins and bright, refreshing acidity on
the finish. A terrific value-priced wine from a great Oregon vintage offered in a
classy and hip package. Relatively simple, but a very user-friendly drinker that
will perform beautifully at the dinner table. Very good.
Reviewed February 15, 2010
ARTICLE »
2016 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13% alc. $22. Barrel fermented using native yeasts, aged on unstirred lees for 9 months in neutral French oak barrels and goes through complete malolactic conversion. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Heady aromas of lemon curd creme brulee, pear and spice charge from the glass over an extended time. Bright and embraceable in the mouth, with flavors that echo the aromas along with added lemon-lime tension. More fruit driven on the nose and citrus acid-driven on the palate, a winning combination. Score: 93. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $26. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Scents of cherry, smoke and cigar box arise from the glass. Lighter weighted, with cherry and raspberry fruit flavors framed by silky tannins, finishing with a slightly tart cherry note. An easy drinking back porch wine. Score: 87. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Haden Fig Bjornson Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $30. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose opens slowly to reveal lovely aromas of black cherry and spice with a hint of toasty oak. On the palate, the wine’s slightly earthy undertone compliments the vivid and caressing black cherry and purple berry flavors offering considerable length and pleasure. The tannins are ingratiating, and the finish is joyous. Score: 92. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Haden Fig Croft Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $30. Made from certified organic grapes. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Plenty of earthy goodness and toasty oak on the nose. The mid-weight core of juicy cherry and raspberry fruits moderately overlain with oak. The tannins gently ply the background, the texture is quite polished, and there is a modest finish featuring dark raspberry coulis. Score: 89. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Haden Fig “Juliette” Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13.5% alc., $40. Others say “best” or “reserve,” but Erin says “Juliette.” A selection of the best barrels of Chardonnay destined for the normal bottling that came from Mahonia Vineyard. Extended lees aging without stirring. This is the Puligny to complement Le Puit Sec’s Chassagne. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. The nose is stony, flinty and buttery all at once. Seductive flavors of citrus, pear and kiwi with a mineral-laden character. Crisp and refreshing, with defining acidity the slightest tannins and an inspired finish of uncommon length. A special wine that demonstrates why people are saying that worldclass Chardonnay is Oregon’s next big thing. Score: 94. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Haden Fig Le Puits Sec Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $36. A single fermenter allowed to ferment using native yeasts. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Demure cherry aromas are framed by woody, earthy flora ingress. Mid weight flavors of black cherry and purple berry reveal discrete extraction. A savory thread permeates the background. The texture is pleasingly creamy, the tannins are reserved and there is good finishing fruit pulp aromas. Score: 90. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Haden Fig “Juliette” Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $55. Erin’s favorite barrel of Pinot Noir production in 2014, named after his 6-year-old daughter. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose offers a savory wonderland of aromas including underbrush, animal fur, forest and dried herbs combined with wild berry. Rather untamed and exotic with a savory herbal tone underlying the mid weight dark cherry and raspberry fruit essence. The tannins are firm at this stage and the finish is fine but not extraordinarily long. Definitely age worthy, this unusual wine tends to grow on you over time in the glass. Score: 91. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2012 Haden Fig Bjornson Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 123 cases, $30. 5 favorite barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Interesting aromatics featuring scents of ripe cherry, fig (seems appropriate) and bourbon. Extra-delicious core of black cherry and black raspberry fruit, nicely spiced with an additional peppery note. Admirable harmony, and a long, memorable finish that makes the knees weak. This is a wine that tugs at your emotions and defies adequate description. One of the best values in Oregon Pinot Noir. Score: 94. Reviewed July 6, 2014 ARTICLE »
2012 Haden Fig Cancilla Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 148 cases, $30. Produced and bottled at Evesham Wood by the same winemaker. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with bright aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, dried rose petals and spice. Delicious mid to full-bodied flavors of black cherry and black raspberry that fills the mouth with goodness and carries over to the captivating finish. This beauty has the structure for the long haul and deft oak harmony. Did I say the finish was amazing? A steal at this wallet-friendly price. Score: 93. Reviewed July 6, 2014 ARTICLE »
2010 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., 800 cases, $24. Aged in 10% new French oak. · Moderately rich mix of dark stone and berry fruit aromas and flavors. A user-friendly, fruity wine. Decent. Reviewed September 12, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Haden Fig Bjornson Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 75 cases, $30, sold out. · A very impressive wine offering vibrant pie-filling flavors with a pleasant accent of baking spice. Nicely composed and thoroughly enjoyable with a memorable finish. Very good. Reviewed September 12, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Haden Fig Cancilla Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Barrel Select Pinot Noir
13.25% alc., $30. Aged in 25% new French oak. 50% each Pommard and Dijon clones. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Middleweight flavors of dark red and purple fruit framed by good acidity and backed by firm, ripe tannins. Very good. Reviewed September 12, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Haden Fig Cancilla Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $30. Produced and bottled by Evesham Wood Vineyard & Winery. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. This wine definitely needs decanting if you drink now. Upon opening it offered shy but alluring aromas of dark red cherries, briar and marzipan. The core of red fruits was accented with spice and herbs and although the tangy red cherry finish showed promise, the wine seemed a bit dilute and flat. The following day it was tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle and had undergone an amazing transformation. The intensity of well-spiced cherry flavor had ramped up, the finish had picked up more generosity and length, and the wine became thoroughly enjoyable. Very good. Reviewed November 24, 2012 ARTICLE »
2008 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc.. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of cherry pie glaze, underbrush and the slightest oak lead to bright and juicy flavors of cherry, red raspberry and red plum. The wine still has a firm tannic backbone. The finish is replete with cherry goodness. Enjoyable now or can be cellared short term. Score: 90. Reviewed February 21, 2015 ARTICLE »
2008 Haden Fig Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.50, $25. Sourced from five Willamette Valley vineyards (Cancilla, Mahonia, Momtazi, Eola Springs and Madrona) cropped a 2.0 to 2.5 tons per acre. A debut wine from owner and winemaker Erin Nuccio. · Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Deep and heady scents of dark cherries, forest floor, oak toast and crushed rock. Light but pleasing in the mouth with tasty black cherry, cranberry and dark berry fruit with a faint sidecar of oak spice. Soft tannins and bright, refreshing acidity on the finish. A terrific value-priced wine from a great Oregon vintage offered in a classy and hip package. Relatively simple, but a very user-friendly drinker that will perform beautifully at the dinner table. Very good. Reviewed February 15, 2010 ARTICLE »