Plaisance Ranch
A gem to discover nestled in the Applegate Valley
Plaisance Ranch is a family operated estate extended across 210 acres. It is located in the heart of the Williams Valley, in the shadow of Greyback Mountain. Plaisance Ranch was created in 1898 as a beef ranch by Joseph Ginet, a french immigrant. He came from the Saint Jean-de-la-Porte (Savoie, France) where his family already made wines for centuries.
In 1890, after being discharged from the French Army he left France with the wish to see the world.A few years latter he settled in Oregon where he created a farm. In 1904 he returned to Savoie in order to bring back to Oregon some grape cuttings with the wish to create a vineyard. Plaisance Ranch Winery, in is present form, was created in 2000 by Joe Ginet. However it’s been a commercial winery since 2006. Nevertheless Joe didn’t forget to perpetuate the families other tradition, I mean the beef farming. « We raise USDA Certified Organic grassfed beef cattle. We don’t give any hormones or antibiotics to our cattle ! They only eat natural and healthy food.We want to offer to our customer a safe, healthy and delicious grass fed beef. »
Currently Plaisance Ranch Winery produce 18 differents cuvées (24.000 bottles).They are mainly made with Merlot, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Mondeuse, Carménère, and Tempranillo.
Where does the name come from ?
When my grandfather came to Jacksonville Or. in 1898, from Savoie, he bought 500 acres and called it Plaisance Orchards. He raised plums, apricots, and of course grapes for wine. »
Why do you produce wine ?
I like wine, I am passionate about wine. I enjoy making wine but also discovering wineries, appellations and wines when I’m travelling. I really enjoy Bandol, Mondeuse from Savoie, Bourgogne wines, the Syrah from Northern Rhône and the right bank of Bordeaux.
I started making wine in the 90’s. It was important to me to make wine, it’s a part of my cultural heritage… It’s the reason why I planted Mondeuse. Why is your terroir so specific? What is your signature/ print?
I think the softness of ripe tannins and the good balance. The exposition of our vineyard is also very important and make the difference between our wines and those of the rest of the valley.
In general I would say that the wines of Plaisance Ranch Winery are all well-built.They are all well balanced, with no problem of maturity (neither too much or not enough) and harmonious.They offer good structure, good roundness, juiciness and not an overly big body. Tannins are structuring, fine, slightly firm and offer softness. So, everything in balance and élégance. For me it’s one of the best wineries of the area. For sure, a gem to discover !
If you have to describe your passion for wine in 3 words? I would say : Balance, patience, variety character and fruit. The attention to detail is also one of my mottos !
Do you have a short anecdote about your winery ?
It’s complicated to answer. I really like what I do, to create wines, raising good beef and welcoming people to the winery to show what our Valley can produce. Really it is all about the experience, pleasant people, interesting story, in an interesting setting with good wine !
(Thank you to Suzi & Joe Ginet)