In the world of Pinot Noir, every decision matters, from the slope of the vineyard to the selection of the clone. At Van Duzer Vineyards, we believe that true character in wine begins at the genetic level, which is why our commitment to clonal selection runs deep. Nowhere is this more evident than in our Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir, a wine that is as much about precision as it is about place.
Understanding Wine Grape Clones: The Foundation of Quality
What is a Pinot Noir Clone?
To understand what makes our Dijon Blocks special, we first need to explore what clones are in wine grapes. A Pinot Noir clone is essentially a genetic copy of a specific vine that has been selected for its exceptional characteristics. These aren’t laboratory creations or artificial modifications—they’re naturally occurring variations within the Pinot Noir family that have been carefully identified, preserved, and propagated by generations of winemakers.
Each clone represents a unique expression of Pinot Noir’s genetic potential. While all Pinot Noir clones share the same basic DNA, subtle genetic variations create distinct differences in everything from berry size and cluster formation to flavor compounds and ripening patterns. These variations have developed naturally over centuries, shaped by environmental pressures and selective breeding in different wine regions around the world.
What Are Clones in Wine Grapes?
In viticulture, a clone is a time-honored practice. “When growers identify a vine with exceptional traits, vibrant flavors, balanced tannins, or dependable ripening, they may propagate it by taking cuttings and grafting them onto rootstock,” explains winemaker Eric Misiewicz. “These new vines are genetically identical to the original, producing fruit that reflects the same character vintage after vintage.”
The process of clonal selection involves meticulous observation over multiple growing seasons. Viticulturists look for vines that consistently demonstrate superior qualities: perhaps more intense aromatics, better disease resistance, more reliable fruit set, or flavors that complement their specific terroir. Once identified, these exceptional vines become the mother plants for future generations.
This practice has deep roots in Burgundy, where vignerons have long employed a traditional method called “sélection massale” or massal selection. Rather than planting uniform clones, massal selection involves taking cuttings from multiple exceptional vines within a single vineyard, preserving the genetic diversity that has naturally evolved in that specific place over centuries. This Burgundian approach maintains the complex interplay of subtle genetic variations that can contribute to a wine’s depth and character, representing a more holistic view of clonal selection that honors both individual vine excellence and the collective wisdom of the vineyard.
Clones allow the winemaker to fine-tune the vineyard, selecting specific traits that will harmonize with the unique conditions of their site. But it’s not a shortcut—it’s a palette of possibilities, and one we take seriously.
Why Do Clones Matter in Wine?
The importance of clonal selection extends far beyond simple propagation. Clones matter in wine because they directly influence every aspect of the final product, from vineyard management to the glass in your hand.
Impact on Vineyard Performance
Different clones exhibit varying vigor levels, ripening schedules, and adaptation to climate conditions. Some clones thrive in cooler climates with extended hang time, while others perform better in warmer regions with earlier harvest dates. This adaptability allows winemakers to match specific clones to their vineyard sites, maximizing both quality and consistency.
Clonal selection also affects vineyard management practices. Some clones require more intensive canopy management, while others naturally maintain better fruit-to-leaf ratios. Understanding these characteristics helps vineyard managers develop targeted approaches for each block, ensuring optimal fruit quality across the entire estate.
Flavor and Structural Contributions
Perhaps most importantly for wine lovers, clones significantly impact flavor profiles and wine structure. Each clone contributes its own aromatic signature, tannin structure, and textural elements. Some clones are known for producing wines with bright red fruit characteristics, while others lean toward darker, more concentrated flavors. By carefully selecting and blending different clones, winemakers can create wines with greater complexity and balance than would be possible with a single clone.
The structural elements that clones contribute—acidity, tannin quality, and alcohol potential—also play crucial roles in a wine’s aging potential and food pairing versatility. This is why many of the world’s most acclaimed Pinot Noir producers work with multiple clones, using each one’s strengths to create more complete and compelling wines.
A Burgundian Legacy Arrives in Oregon
The story of the Dijon clones begins in the vineyards of Burgundy and arrives in Oregon by way of visionaries. In the 1980s, David Adelsheim of Adelsheim Vineyard and Dr. David Heatherbell spearheaded the effort to bring certified French clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to the Willamette Valley. With the help of Dr. Raymond Bernard in France and Oregon State University’s viticulture program, the vines arrived on American soil in the late ’80s. Simply marked with a return label, the laboratory technicians at Oregon State University nicknamed the imported cuttings “Dijon clones.”
This importation represented a pivotal moment in Oregon wine history. Prior to the arrival of these French selections, Oregon Pinot Noir producers primarily relied on clones that had been in California for decades, many of which were field selections of uncertain provenance. The introduction of these certified Burgundian clones brought new levels of sophistication and authenticity to Oregon Pinot Noir production.
That label became a lasting legacy. Today, the term “Dijon clones” refers to a family of officially certified selections; among them, Pinot Noir clones 113, 115, 667, and 777. Each clone brings its own nuance to the vineyard, offering a range of fruit expression, structure, and aromatic characteristics. Though there are now many registered Dijon clones worldwide, only a handful are widely planted, and fewer still are capable of producing wines of great distinction.
The Science Behind Dijon Clone Selection
The Dijon clones weren’t randomly selected from Burgundian vineyards. Each represents years of rigorous evaluation by French researchers who identified specific vines with exceptional performance characteristics. Clone 777, for example, was selected from vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin for its ability to produce structured wines with excellent aging potential. Clone 667 came from Chambolle-Musigny, chosen for its elegant aromatics and refined tannin structure.
This scientific approach to clone selection, combined with the genetic diversity these clones brought to Oregon, has contributed significantly to the evolution and improvement of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir over the past four decades.
What is a Suitcase Clone?
Before the official importation of certified Dijon clones, many wine regions relied on what are known as “suitcase clones” – vine cuttings that were brought informally from one region to another, often literally carried in travelers’ suitcases. These unofficial imports played a crucial role in spreading grape varieties around the world, though they came with significant risks and uncertainties.
Suitcase clones typically lacked proper documentation, health certification, or genetic verification. While some proved exceptional – contributing to the foundation of many wine regions – others carried diseases or performed poorly in their new environments. The informal nature of suitcase clone importation also meant that their true genetic identity was often uncertain, making it difficult for growers to understand what they were actually planting.
The contrast between suitcase clones and the carefully certified Dijon clones highlights the evolution of viticulture from a craft based on trial and error to a more scientific approach. While suitcase clones represent the pioneering spirit of early winegrowers, the official importation of certified clones like the Dijon selections represents a more systematic approach to improving wine quality through verified genetic material.
Our Dijon Collection: Wind Tested, Site Driven
At Van Duzer Vineyards, we work with a diverse range of Pinot Noir clones including 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, Wadenswil, Pommard, Calera, and Flowers. But the heart of our Dijon Blocks are made up of 113, 114, 115, 667 and 777 clones. These vines grow in the most exposed section of our estate, facing the full force of the Van Duzer Corridor winds.
The decision to plant these specific clones in our windiest vineyard block wasn’t arbitrary. Each of these Dijon selections has demonstrated exceptional resilience and the ability to maintain fruit quality under challenging growing conditions. The constant wind stress actually benefits these clones, encouraging deeper root systems and more concentrated fruit flavors.
“We farm everything consistently,” says vineyard manager Bruce Sonnen, “that way vines can express themselves.” It’s a defining feature of our site, one that sets us apart not just within the Van Duzer Corridor AVA, but throughout the Willamette Valley.
Here, the wind isn’t an obstacle—it’s an ally. It toughens the vines, dries the canopy, and slows down ripening. Afternoon sun on our west-facing slopes ensures flavor development, while the wind encourages concentration and balance. “No other winery in the Van Duzer Corridor of the Willamette Valley has a wine that faces the Van Duzer winds so intensely and bluntly,” says Eric Misiewicz. The result is fruit with depth and focus—expressive but never excessive.
The Van Duzer Corridor Advantage
The Van Duzer Corridor’s unique geography creates growing conditions and unique microclimates that are perfectly suited to showcasing the differences between clones. The marine influence that flows through the corridor moderates temperatures while the consistent wind creates natural stress that enhances flavor concentration. These conditions allow each clone to express its individual characteristics while developing the shared traits that define our vineyard’s terroir.
This combination of clone and site creates wines that are distinctly Van Duzer—structured yet elegant, powerful yet refined. It’s a testament to the importance of matching the right clones to the right place.
Breaking Down the Dijon Trio: 115, 667, & 777
At the heart of our Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir are three core clones, each playing a distinct role in the final blend:
Clone 777 offers structure and weight, with generous notes of blackberry, black cherry, and backing spice. This clone consistently delivers wines with excellent aging potential and the backbone needed to stand up to our windy growing conditions. In cooler vintages, 777 often provides the power and concentration that rounds out the blend.
Clone 667 brings red-fruit energy—cranberry, raspberry, and a fine tannin profile. Known for its elegance and aromatics, this clone adds lift and brightness to our wines. It tends to ripen slightly earlier than 777, providing winemaking flexibility and contributing essential acid balance to the final blend.
Clone 115 is bold and intense, contributing dark fruit and tannins. This clone often produces the most deeply colored wines with concentrated flavors and substantial structure. While it can be challenging to grow in some climates, our windy site provides the natural regulation this vigorous clone needs to produce balanced fruit.
Individually, these clones are expressive. Together, they create a wine of layered complexity, one that captures both the precision of clonal selection and the singularity of our estate.
Understanding Clone Characteristics in the Vineyard
Each clone exhibits distinct growth patterns that influence our farming decisions. Clone 777 tends to have looser clusters with smaller berries, naturally concentrating flavors but requiring careful canopy management to ensure proper ripening. Clone 667 produces more compact clusters that benefit from selective fruit thinning in abundant years. Clone 115’s vigorous growth habit means it responds well to the natural growth regulation provided by our constant winds.
These differences extend to harvest timing as well. In most years, we harvest each clone separately, allowing optimal ripeness for each before combining them in the cellar. This attention to individual clone characteristics is essential for maximizing the quality potential of our diverse plantings.
The 2022 Vintage: When One Clone Said It All
In most vintages, our Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir is a carefully constructed blend of these three clones, allowing each to bring its strength to the final blend. But in 2022, a vintage defined by cooler temperatures and uneven ripening, we chose a different path.
The 2022 growing season presented unique challenges throughout the Willamette Valley. Cooler-than-average temperatures extended the growing season, while uneven weather patterns created significant variation in ripening between different vineyard blocks and even individual clones within the same block.
At Van Duzer, we tasted carefully, walked the rows, and made a decisive choice: clone 777 stood alone as the best expression of the vintage. Its fruit ripened fully and gracefully, while the other clones struggled with the challenging conditions. For the first time, we crafted our Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir exclusively from 777. A testament to the adaptability of clone and site, and a reminder that great winemaking always begins with listening to the vineyard.
This decision highlights one of the key advantages of working with multiple clones—the flexibility to adapt to vintage variation. In challenging years, having diverse clonal options allows winemakers to craft exceptional wines even when conditions don’t favor every selection equally.
The Broader Context of Clonal Selection in Pinot Noir
Our approach to clonal selection at Van Duzer reflects broader trends in Pinot Noir production worldwide. As understanding of clonal characteristics has deepened, more producers are moving away from single-clone bottlings toward carefully crafted blends that showcase the complexity possible when different clones are harmoniously combined.
This evolution in clonal selection philosophy has contributed to the overall improvement in Pinot Noir quality across major wine regions. By matching specific clones to site conditions and using blending to achieve complexity, producers can create wines that are both distinctive and consistently excellent.
The careful documentation and study of clonal performance over multiple vintages also contributes to the wine industry’s understanding of how different clones adapt to climate change. As growing conditions evolve, the genetic diversity represented by different clones provides producers with tools to maintain quality and character in their wines.
The Elegance of Precision
Clonal selection is both an art and a science. At Van Duzer Vineyards, it’s a quiet part of the winemaking process, yet it profoundly shapes what ends up in your glass. From the storied soils of Burgundy to the wind-swept western slopes of our estate, the Dijon clones have found a new home and a new voice in the Van Duzer Corridor.
Understanding what clones are in wine grapes, why clones matter in wine, and specifically what Pinot Noir clones bring to the table enriches appreciation for the complexity and craftsmanship behind every bottle. Each sip of our Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir represents decades of careful selection, site-specific adaptation, and the ongoing dialogue between vine and vineyard that defines great winemaking.
As we continue to learn from our clones and adapt our practices to showcase their unique strengths, we remain committed to the precision and passion that first brought these remarkable vines from Burgundy to Oregon. In every vintage, in every bottle, the story of Dijon clones continues to unfold, shaped by wind, weather, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence that drives our craft.
Reference: Prince of Pinot. “The Story of Pinot Noir Clones.” Accessed 2025. https://www.princeofpinot.com/article/945/
Photo credit: Jake Parrish
