2023 Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
The Old Eight Cut refers to a diamond cut dating back to the 1400s using simple tools and few cuts to enhance the natural brilliance of the stone without disguising its true nature.
The first sip shows a center point of sweetness that is buttressed by dark red fruit, ripe tannins and a hint of nori that give the wine a serious edge. With air and time, the sappy spicy notes that come from partial whole cluster fermentation resonate on the finish, making this wine one with incredible depth that will drink well now and over the next 10 years.
dry-farmed, native yeast and partial whole cluster fermentation
- Tasting Notes Black cherries, red currant, ripe raspberry, violet, red tea, dried herbs, sweet earth, cacao
- Variety Pinot Noir
- Region United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley
- Volume 750ml
- Alcohol Volume 13.8%
- Table Talk “I want to make wine that transcends generations. Wines that I want to drink and that come from my own mind and heart.” - Grant Coulter, winemaker
Hundred Suns Winery is a deeply personal and passionate project born from the shared vision of husband-and-wife duo, Grant Coulter and Renée Saint-Amour. Their story began over 16 years ago when they made a pact to build a life full of adventure. That journey led them from California to Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where Grant began his winemaking career as assistant winemaker at Hamacher Wines before spending a formative decade at Beaux Frères—first as assistant, then head winemaker. During those years, Grant developed a profound understanding of the Willamette Valley’s diverse soils, microclimates, and people. Meanwhile, Renée continued teaching high school, supporting their growing family, and eventually stepping into the winery full time to run day-to-day operations. In 2015, they sold their Portland home, gathered every resource they had, and moved into a fixer-upper in the valley to establish Hundred Suns Winery.
Their winemaking philosophy is rooted in minimal intervention, with a focus on allowing each vineyard site to express itself fully. Every bottle is touched by the couple’s hands—from the design of the labels to wax dipping bottles themselves—imbuing their wines with not just terroir, but personality. The name Hundred Suns nods to the approximate number of days of sunshine during Oregon’s growing season and reflects their connection to nature’s rhythm. In 2018, they purchased a 4.5-acre property in the Eola-Amity Hills, featuring a 50-year-old vineyard that became both their children’s backyard and their own farming project—further grounding their wines in home and heritage.
Grant, a winemaker with a strong artistic and intuitive approach, sees wine as a medium for storytelling and connection. As he shared in an interview Margaux, “I want to make something that lives beyond me… something that my kids can pick up one day and say ‘this was Dad’s wine.’” This intention is felt in every thoughtful step of their winemaking process, which blends tradition with curiosity and precision.
Today, Hundred Suns produces small lots of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, and Syrah that have earned acclaim for their elegance, complexity, and transparency. More than just a winery, Hundred Suns is a testament to partnership, vision, and a hard-working family.
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