When we asked Evan Martin what he likes to do in his free time, we got back a bit of a sly smile. Simply put, Evan does not have time off.

He resides in a cozy apartment on the upper level of his small winery. He is the sole employee of his winery and, from the moment he wakes up in the morning to when he lays his head down to sleep, this warm, charismatic man lives and breathes his work.

And, he is EXCEPTIONALLY good at what he does. Founded with a $120,000 bequest from his grandmother, his hard work and unique intelligence has grown Martin Woods into one of the hottest producers in the Willamette Valley.

Today we bring you two of his wines, leading with the extraordinary 2022 release of his "Jessie James Vineyard" Pinot Noir. Lovingly farmed by the Mora brothers, this small site would earn Grand Cru status were it in Burgundy. Earning 97-Point reviews from Decanter Magazine and Jeb Dunnuck, it is Pinot Noir at its most pure, authentic and ethereal.

Along with this masterpiece Pinot Noir, we also bring you the few cases we were able to acquire of a dry Riesling he crafts from an old parcel of vines located not far from his winery. Reminiscent of the great wines of Alsace, it is one of the best Rieslings made in the United States.

Evan’s story is reflective of Willamette Valley as one of the rare world-class wine regions where the possibility of building from scratch exists for mere mortals willing to put in the work and passion. In an incredibly competitive region, Evan has risen to the top through his endless curiosity, fastidious attention to detail and an excellent instinct for site selection.

His passion is infectious and authentic, just like his wines. We are so happy to be able to share them with you. After reading below for the reviews, please click down on the Big Green Button to bring his wines into your home!

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2022 Martin Woods "Jessie James Vineyard" Pinot Noir
Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
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While Jessica and James Lee are now deceased, the legacy of their volcanic-soiled, wind-pummeled vineyard lives on in this extraordinary wine.

Leased by Evan and farmed organically by the capable hands of Oney and Chuey Mora, the fruit requires very little from Evan. Including just 10% whole cluster in the fermentation, and using only three new barrels among the 28 total, he tenderly raises this wine over a slow 18 month elevage. Beyond the impeccable fruit, little else is needed!

With an hour or two in a decanter, the 2022 Martin Woods "Jessie James Vineyard" is irresistible. And, it is capable of two decades of graceful aging. Both awarding 97-Point reviews, Decanter Magazine and Jeb Dunnuck write...

"The Jessie James site is at over 200m in the Eola-Amity Hills. An eastern slope that's exposed to the cool winds of the Van Duzer Corridor. The vineyards were planted in 1996 and are organically farmed. Winemaker Evan Martin calls out the floral elements of the Jessie James as the vineyard's hallmark. A blend of Pommard, Wadenswïl and a little bit of Dijon clone. Aromatics of violets and cherry flesh dried lavender and smoky rose petals. The aromas evolve from dried flowers to earthy and woodsy notes. Even though Martin usually uses only about 10% whole cluster in this wine, this Pinot Noir feels like it’s got more of that whole cluster's powerful freshness and vibrancy character. This is one of the lightest Pinots in the portfolio, with a chalky texture and minerality. It's giving a ton of energy. The palate shows refinement and freshness, with mouthfuls of spiced blood orange, smoky clove, and a white peppered spice to the finish. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2042."
          - 97 Points, Decanter (7/26/2024)

"The 2022 Pinot Noir Jessie James Vineyard is deep ruby, spicy, and layered. Slightly brighter than the 2023, it offers notes of red fruit, grenadine, pomegranate, leather, and pressed flowers. Refined, with ripe tannins and a seamless feel, it will drink well over the next 20 years."
          - 97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (8/26/2025)

We found just 13 listings nationwide for this boutique “Grand Cru” level Pinot Noir. Our price is ten dollars below the median. Unlike what its vineyard name might imply, this one won’t rob you. The performance-to-price ratio of this classic Pinot Noir is obscene. Opportunities like this do not exist in Burgundy!

Vin Chicago Price: 57.99

World Class American Riesling from 50+ Year Old Alsatian Suitcase Clones!

2022 Martin Woods "Hyland Vineyard" Riesling
McMinnville, Willamette Valley, Oregon
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While Pinot Noir represents most of Martin Woods production, where we first grew an affinity for Evan's wines was through his Riesling! Oregon makes some of the best in the New World, and the 50+ year-old, own-rooted vines in the "1G North" block of Hyland Vineyard are a testament to this noble variety’s veracity here.

Planted with clones smuggled back from Alsace in the 1960s, Hyland Vineyard is one of the greatest sites for Riesling in the United States. Evan poured a glass of this dry, fleshy, botrytis-affected example when we visited him in May, and we loved it so much that we ordered as much as we could get. Which, unfortunately, is just a few cases.

This is a textural marvel, with the wild, orange-zested honeycomb and petrol of a Grand Cru example from Alsace. Vinified fully dry in this vintage, it offers a fleshy frame with dynamic complexity and perfectly dosed and interwoven acidity. This is delicious now and will easily cellar for another decade should you choose. A bottle from the 2017 vintage graced the Thanksgiving table of one of our staff members a few weeks ago. Is there a bigger vote of confidence than that?

"The 2022 Riesling Hyland Vineyard is more floral and fruity on the nose, with notes of candied lime, peaches, candied ginger, and fresh tropical flowers, as well as more honey. Medium-bodied, it’s fully dry and really electric in its personality, and while its acidity is bright and persistent, it’s ripe and not austere. This fantastic Riesling is going to drink well over the long haul."
          - 96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck (8/6/2024)

"This Riesling from the Hyland old blocks was picked the day before the rains came on October 21st 2022. It's an instant classic with 25% botrytised fruit. It gives generous petrol and grilled peach aromatics. The palate offers gorgeous peach ring candies, smoky grilled pineapple flesh and an undertone of flinty minerality. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2045."
          - 95 Points, Decanter (7/6/2024)

Less than 250 cases of this delicious wine were produced. We’re blessed to have been able to grab a few of them.

Vin Chicago Price: 44.99