In today’s fast-paced world, where questions about wine can be answered with a two second Google search on our phones, we risk losing the art of experience. The heart of wine is more than social media likes or even wine scores, which is why White Walnut Estate, nestled within the Willamette Valley, values the traditional approach to winemaking. Here, you won’t find daily stories, updated statuses, or any social media accounts at all. You won’t even find any neighboring signs advertising its whereabouts (despite only being minutes from The Dundee Hotel). Here, the best way to understand a particular vintage is to uncork a bottle, pour a glass, and savor every drop.
At the core of White Walnut is Chris Mazepink, the man behind the wines. And in order to fully appreciate what White Walnut contributes to the region, you must first learn a little about Chris himself. To say that he is the owner and winemaker of White Walnut almost feels like an understatement. Chris is the core of every decision at the winery. From purchasing the land, to clearing the property one branch at a time, to deciding which vintages to pursue and which barrels to trial, Chris Mazepink is White Walnut Estate.
Chris did not grow up in a wine drinking family. His interest arose while working in a NY wine shop during his college years. “This was before cell phones or the internet,” Chris says, “so if you wanted to learn about a wine, you opened it up and tasted it.” That’s how Chris would end up winding down most evenings: opening up a bottle of wine, sharing it with friends, and making some memories. Throughout college, Chris traveled around the globe for each of his winter semesters. From Jamaica to South Africa and Chile, Chris discovered that even immersed in different cultures and learning things he could only have imagined before, each day still seemed to end the same: opening up a bottle of wine and deciphering what he could learn from it. This led Chris to one of the most important discoveries of his life. “I was very fortunate to ask myself then, ‘If I could anything with the rest of my life from this point forward, what would I do?’ And I was also very fortunate to come up with an answer: ‘Pursue a life of wine.’ Thirty years later, I’m still very fortunate to have the same answer.”
After graduating from college, Chris moved to Oregon, earned his degree in Fermentation Science and Viticulture from Oregon State University, and then spent two decades absorbing all the real-world knowledge he could about wine, working at various Willamette Valley establishments from Archery Summit and Shea Wine Cellars to Benton Lane. Like a lot of young winemakers, however, Chris aspired to begin his own venture. “I was always long on the ambition to do it,” Chris says, “just short on the working capital.” That’s why Chris knew this race would be won at a slow and steady pace, completing one step at a time in order to ensure sure each step was taken correctly. “It started in 2013 with just nine acres,” Chris says. But over the better part of the decade, White Walnut has grown to an impressive 35 acres, all of which are both organically and biodynamically farmed. The result? White Walnut is now known to produce some of the region’s best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Chris owns 100% of White Walnut, but to say that he does this all alone wouldn’t be entirely correct. In addition to his trusted team, Chris’ two sons, Charlie (11) and Archer (13), make White Walnut a family affair. “They are coproprietors,” Chris says. “They earn a wage and have business cards. […] Charlie is the only one other than me who is allowed to drive the forklift, while Archer is our tour guide and is developing quite an impressive palate.” While Chris would love White Walnut to stay in the family, he mostly hopes that his sons will use this experience to find what sparks joy in each of them. “There is value to understanding and working every aspect of this industry,” Chris says. “Beyond learning about wine itself. [My sons] are learning real world skills. They’re getting exposed to finance, hospitality, production, organic chemistry, and farming. They’re experiencing a multitude of different disciplines. And perhaps one of those things is what lights them up, and helps inspire whatever they do choose to pursue. […] Either way, it’s real world data that will serve them, rather than coming out of university and having everything be theoretical.”
This be-in-the-real-world approach makes up a big portion of Chris’ winemaking philosophy: know the land, understand the farming, and grow from there. “Ninety percent of my focus is farming,” Chris says. “I spend a lot of money on this part of the process, and I’m happy to do it. […] Then, during the winemaking process, I get out of the way.” White Walnut uses native yeast and malolactic bacteria, with 0% additives. In addition, fermentation takes place in terra cotta, concrete, or wood, preserving traditional methods. Beyond that, Chris is always striving to do better and know more. When we asked Chris if he had a favorite amongst his wines, he chuckled to himself and said the proof could be seen in his recycling bin. “I’m a pragmatist when it comes to these things,” he says. “If I ever find myself gravitating toward one particular bottle, I immediately ask myself why the others aren’t sparking the same joy, and I then work on those until they do.”
When it comes to tasting at White Walnut, Chris’ approach is to keep things personal, authentic, and unhurried. Chris hosts 100% of the wine tastings on the property, (that’s right y’all, ONE HUNDRED PER CENT) and only offers three tasting slots a day. In addition, only one party (regardless of size) is permitted to taste during at any given slot. That means whether you come alone or with friends, you have the space and time for a relaxed, meaningful conversation about the wine and the history behind it. “I host all of the wine tastings, and it will always be that way,” Chris says. “If people ask me about the wines, I can tell you what’s in the bottle. If it’s about the label, I can tell you why I picked each one. If you have a question about the sidings of the building, I can tell you why I chose what I did. So it’s very personal and fun.”
These are only some of the details that set White Walnut apart. Given Chris’ background, it comes as no surprise that he chooses to share his wines in the same way he first learned about wine himself: by opening a bottle and tasting it. In a world dominated by social media and marketing campaigns, Chris chooses word-of-mouth recommendations to advertise. He values long conversations and meaningful experiences with each vintage. At White Walnut, wine isn’t just something to consume, it’s something to experience.
It’s this attention to detail that makes White Walnut such a unique experience, whether you’re sipping wine or listening to Chris share his story. So next time you’re in the area, book yourself a tasting with Chris himself. No matter the size of your party, Chris invites you to go slow, engage in long conversation, and see where the day takes you. We at The Dundee Hotel can’t wait to host you when you’re here!
