Need an Excuse to Visit Lingua Franca’s New Tasting Room? Here’s Four.

This story is published in cooperation with Willamette Week and Lingua Franca

Linguistic nerd or not, you might be familiar with the term lingua franca, a universal, diplomatic language used in medieval times; it’s a form of communication that transcends culture and bridges the gaps of human connection. It’s also a point of inspiration for Master Sommelier Larry Stone.

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In 2012, Stone purchased a converted farm in the Eola-Amity Hills and teamed up with legendary Burgundian winemaker Dominique Lafon, a legendary Burgundian winemaker, and Thomas Savre, a classically trained winemaker from iconic Burgundy estates, to birth Lingua Franca.

Lingua Franca, Latin for language of the Franks, can also mean “to speak frankly,” which could also evoke another folk colloquialism: “Wine goes down, truth comes up.” Stone chose the name because he, too, believes great wine is itself a universal language that brings people together regardless of background, nationality, or profession; the language of refinement.

And today, Lingua Franca’s sweeping Willamette Valley winery and chic, intimate tasting room have become physical expressions of that belief. It’s a place where people from all over the region gather around a bottle of wine and share a common experience.

“Once you visit Lingua Franca, you will never forget the beauty, the diversity of life in and around the vineyard and the hospitality open to all,” Stone shares. “Lingua Franca is about respecting and being enriched by nature. This is part of the flavor of our place.”

But in case you needed more reasons to visit the verdant, rolling hills and windswept landscape, I ventured into Salem wine country and navigated both Lingua Franca’s vast property to bring back these four reasons to book your vineyard tour post haste:

Reason One: The wine speaks for itself.

While it should go without saying that the primary impetus to visit a tasting room is, in fact, for the wine, there’s more to Lingua Franca’s tasting experiences than sips and descriptions.

For example, tasting their signature Estate Chardonnay was like inhaling a field of wildflowers overlooking ocean beaches, floral and savory at the same time, with a taste of white peach and refreshing lemon zest on the palate. From the tasting room you can even see the part of the vineyard where these grapes are growing and ripening for the next harvest.

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“The Larry Stone Vineyard, the basis for our Lingua Franca Estate, is my specially selected site that I contemplated for over 35 years before being able to plant it,” Larry Stone says. “The Chardonnay from this site is the fulfillment of my vision as a grower and as a sommelier.”

Lingua Franca can attribute these distinctly complex and nuanced profiles to the winery’s rocky, volcanic soil; temperate Mediterranean climate that funnels cool ocean breezes in from the Pacific; distinct topography featuring east-facing slopes for optimal sunlight; and farming practices that prioritize sustainability (more on that later).

These factors and more contribute to each bottle of Lingua Franca’s minerality and vibrant acidity, all of which parallel the finest wines of Burgundy.

Reason Two: Lingua Franca’s hospitality is unmatched.

To arrive at Lingua Franca’s vineyard is to feel simultaneously removed from the cacophony of city life and just a stone’s throw from the Rose City.

It’s an uncanny feeling unique to this singular landscape and encouraged by a guest experience philosophy that ensures the warm, anticipatory welcome of a dear friend. (When I arrived at the tasting, I was handed not only a glass of their sparkling white but also a parasol to shield me from the afternoon sun.)

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During our visit, tours that wove through the vineyard unfurled at a pace that set a tone of intimacy and exclusivity, encouraging guests to do more than experience fine wines—they connected with and experienced the land from which the wine is produced.

Sensory prompts were incorporated into every tasting experience, and every tour felt cleverly formed around the interests and preferences of the guests, with winemakers graciously answering questions with the enthusiasm and grace of an extremely well-versed dinner party host.

Reason Three: The property has an ambiance that leaves a lasting impression.

The vineyard itself is positioned in such a way that feels tremendously natural-forward, and we were compelled to lean into some truly exceptional birdwatching, butterfly chasing, and even a bit of trailside wild plant identification. Lingua Franca’s juxtaposition of authentic, quiet luxury and raw, undisturbed geographic wonder creates a microcosm of authenticity so distinct to the Willamette Valley, it could not exist in any other biome.

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And for those less inclined to invite a red-breasted warbler to perch on their finger, Lingua Franca’s glass tasting room provides comfortable seating from which to gaze upon the wonders of nature while comfortably ensconced within the space’s sleek contemporary architecture.

Lingua Franca is a winery foremost, but considering its position among the area’s wetlands, white oaks, and native flora and fauna, the vineyard has the unmistakable air of a PNW resort hideaway (albeit with much better wine options).

Reason Four: A commitment to sustainability without sacrificing quality.

Lingua Franca’s sustainable model elevates its wines in a way few other wineries can claim. The estate is organically certified and prioritizes regenerative agriculture that promotes and fosters the natural biodiversity of the region.

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The winery uses a no-till method of farming, an agricultural technique that decreases the soil erosion caused by tillage while increasing the amount of water that infiltrates the soil, improving the soil’s retention of organic matter, and assisting in nutrient cycling. Furthermore, Lingua Franca uses permanent cover crops, rather than invasive and harmful weed-control methods, to combat invasive plant species.

The vineyard also supports habitats for predatory wildlife as part of its commitment to biodiversity, its unique terroir, and environmental reverence.

Lingua Franca’s assertion that passionate winemaking transcends language is astute, but the vineyard’s foundation is built upon the idea that the universal language of nature unites us all. And considering that its award-winning slate of pinots and chardonnays speaks volumes, its commitment to sustainability is equally compelling, enough to elicit a visit, a tour, and at least a couple of bottles to go.

To learn more about Lingua Franca and plan your visit, linguafranca.wine/.