Daedelus Cellars is Aron Hess and wife Pam Walken, with assistance from 2 year old son Samson. Daedalus (DAY-duh-lus) is a small family winery in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Aron and Pam source fruit from some of Oregon's best vineyards and use artisan methods to handcraft their wines. The wines show an elegant, ageable structure and complexity, refined and sophisticated, natural partners for a wide range of foods.
How it Happened
In 1996, Aron followed his nose to Europe to tour the wine regions. One Sunday when the wineries were closed, he followed a tip from a guide book and found himself in a tiny ferme auberge in the Dordorgne where he met his wife and business partner, Pam Walden. Several months later they arrived in Oregon with a dream to make the best Pinot Noir this side of the Atlantic.
Aron worked first at Flynn Vineyards and occasionally at Evesham Wood Winery before joining Rex Hill Vineyards in 1998, first as the Enologist, later as the Assistant Winemaker working with Lynn Penner-Ash, and for three years as the Winemaker. Aron’s tenure at Rex Hill included some of the most innovative and cutting-edge experiments in the region, while focusing on very traditional methods of vinification.
Aron works today as a consulting winemaker at several wineries. He makes wine with Peter Rosback of Sineann, collaborating on a "second label" project,Jezebel Wines.
Daedalus Cellars
.In 1999 Aron and Pam purchased 17+ acres on a south-southeast slope of the Dundee Hills, the future site of their estate vineyard. Daedalus Cellars began a year later with the production of just four barrels of Phelps Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir. The winery now produces around 700 cases annually of small-lot, hand-crafted Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Syrah.
We've followed Aron's Pinots with interest since the first vintage, 2000. Since inception, the winemaker has aimed high for quality and complexity. The Daedalus Pinot noirs are sophisticated, ageable, and world class. Silky texture and delicately layered fruit and spice flavors are classically true to the nature of Pinot noir.
Aron Hess
Pam and Samson
Aron Hess's good value Pinot. releasing much later than most Oregon 2005 Pinot noirs and benefiting from the time in the cellar.
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The Daedalus Nyarady Pinot noir is stylistically a little broader shouldered than the Daedalus Labyrinth, though still elegant, with incredibly concentrated fruit and depth of flavor. Winemaker A
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The 05 Labyrinth opens with concentrated, sweet black cherry and berry aromas mingling with hints of Earl Grey tea, smoke, and dried herbs. A lush attack follows, revealing bright, fleshy red fruits ...read more
New fall 2007 ...read more
Full bodied Austrian varietal white wine from limited planting in Elton Vineyard, Eola Hills. ...read more
Boysenberry, cherry, smoked meat minerality, and thyme scents and flavors are inherent in the vineyard. It has a powerful attack, sweet plump fruit, and extroverted character.
It should drink ...read more
Daedalus 2006 Pinot Gris is a blend of grapes from Yamhill Valley Vineyards, Carabella, Croft and Murto Vineyards. As usual, we cropped the vines around two tons per acre to create a full- bodied win ...read more
Extremely popular, crisp pear, peach, perfect summer sipper, always sells out fast. A blend of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewurtztraminer. Just lovely for the price. ...read more
Daedalus Pinot noir Seven Springs is concentrated, with dense aromas and flavors of lavender, red caneberries, earth and sandalwood. Silky texture, refined tannins and bright acidity persist through ...read more >>
Highly Recommended by Avalon A yummy Pinot with cinnamon spice and sweet raspberry scents. Flavors are of red raspberry and sweet pie spices with hints of soft buttery toasty oak that keep danc ...read more >>
Only 45 cases made of this complex, ageable Pinot noir from one of Oregon's oldest and most distinguished vineyards. Winemaker Aron Hess, formerly winemaker at Rex Hill, puts all his skills into crea ...read more >>
