Our History. The Flying Dutchman is a small family owned winery that enjoys one of the most spectacular locations on the Oregon Coast.
We have been making wine in front of the ocean since 1997 and many feel that it's the salt air that makes our wines so unique.
Winemaker and owner Richard Cutler started the winery in the restaurant of the Inn at Otter Crest.
It was billed as Oregon's first 'micro-winery' and was popular from the start.
With a little beginners luck, Cutler's first vintage of Pinot Noir won the winery's first medal at the prestigious 1999 Oregon State Fair.
Since then Flying Dutchman wines have earned many medals and are highly regarded in the northwest.
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The Inn at Otter Crest is shown in the foreground.
The Flying Dutchman Winery is perched on the second
peninsula jutting out into the ocean |
Our Winemaking.
Each fall we purchase grapes from five notable Oregon vineyards in the central and south portions of the state.
We have no vineyards of our own as grapes will not mature along the Oregon Coast.
At harvest we meet the pickers at the vineyards then bring the grapes to the winery were we immediately de-stem the red grapes and press the white grapes.
The white grape juice is put into barrels where it is 'barrel fermented' and aged on the lees for 8 to 12 months.
About half of our Chardonnay wine is aged in American oak barrels and half in small stainless steel barrels.
A few of these barrels are shown in the picture that follows.
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In the foreground cellarmaster, Todd Odle, sorts through the de-stemmed grapes. Granddaughter, Sonya, looks on. |
After de-stemming the red grapes are placed into open-top fermenters (the larger stainless, white and green containers in the picture)
where they remain outside in a 'cold-soak' status for a week to 10 days. During this time there is a transfer of the water soluble flavors
and colors from the grapes to the juice. At most other wineries this step lasts about 3 days but with the cooler temperatures and salt air spray,
ours lasts much longer.
After about 7 to 10 days of cold-soak the native yeasts start fermenting. As in old world winemaking, we allow this fermentation to occur naturally
'punching down' the pulp and skins that float to the top 3 times a day. This re-immerses the grape pulp and adds oxygen.
While this fermentation step at other wineries lasts an average of 5 days, ours takes from 7 to 14 days.
Again, because of the salt spray and cool temperatures, our extended fermentation adds to the unique taste of our wines.
Once all of the grape sugars have been converted to alcohol and carbon dioxide, we gently press out the finished wine then place it in oak barrels
where it remains for 10 to 36 months. When we feel the wine is at its peak we bottle it then lay the bottles away for another 4 to 12 months.
When the Gallo people coined the term "we will sell no wine before its time" they must have been thinking of Flying Dutchman Wines.
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Sales Manager Dan High, inspects the Pinot Noir grape clusters |
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Two generations of the Cutler family, Alex and Debbie, punch down the fermenting grapes |
Our Winery and Winery Tasting Room Location. The Flying Dutchman is the only working winery on the Oregon Coast and
its location is blessed with many coastal attractions. It is located in the coastal village of Otter Rock, Oregon. This is 15 miles south of Lincoln City and 8 miles north of Newport. (see directions page) Across the street is the famous Devil's Punchbowl
State Park with its boiling caldron of foamy surf. Just steps away are two pristine sand beaches and
some of the most prolific tide pools on the coast. Seals occupy the tide pool rocks on a daily basis and
there always seems to be a whale spout or two to see nearby. Next door is Mo's restaurant, nationally known
for its clam chowder, and just short distances away are charter fishing boats, shopping, the Newport aquarium,
Newport waterfront attractions, and a wide selection of seafood restaurants.
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Winery Tasting Room and Gift Shop |
Our Winery Picnic Area. This one-of-a-kind
area is sheltered from the summer winds by a beautiful grove of shore
pines yet it has a broad view of the ocean beaches, the tide pools,
and Cape Foulweather. Our picnic area is ideal for small functions (up to 60 people) and
is a popular place for small musical events, wedding receptions
and the like.
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View from our Ocean Front Picnic Area |
Our Gift Shop. Here you will find
a gift shop unlike any other in the area. We specialize in unusual wine
related and nautical gifts as well as original art by Oregon artists.
Our Ice Cream Lady. Possibly the most photographed
attraction on the coast, JoAnn's 1934 Dodge truck features old style Oregon ice cream, espresso, soft drinks, candy and snacks.
It is parked next to the Winery and JoAnn's smile is always present.
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JoAnn's Dodge Concession Truck is open from May through October |
Our Astoria Tasting Room Location. Recently we opened a second winery tasting room in a newly renovated 1896 waterfront
cannery building. It is located under the Colombia River bridge near the Cannery Pier Hotel and Astoria Marina (see directions page). Next door is one of Oregon's most popular restaurants, the Bridgewater Bistro.
Nearby are many Astoria and north coast attractions.
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Tasting room manager, Roger Phifer, is here to welcome you |
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A wall of barrels seperates the tasting room from the Bridgewater Bistro |
Our Hours. The Winery Tasting Room in Otter Rock is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.
Summer hours (May through October) are 11AM to
6PM.
Winter hours (November through April) are 11AM to 5PM.
The tasting room in Astoria is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.
Our year around hours are 4pm to 8pm Sundays through Thursdays and 4pm to 9pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Our Numbers. To reach the Otter Rock Winery and Tasting Room by telephone call 541-765-2553.
By fax dial 541-765-2554.
By e-mail: cmi@harborside.com
And by mail: Flying Dutchman Winery 915 First Street, Otter Rock, Oregon 97369
To reach the Astoria tasting room call 503-325-8110.
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Flying Dutchman Winery
915 First Street
Otter Rock, Oregon 97369
Phone: 541-765-2553 Email: cmi@harborside.com
