After the 2025 harvest, James Frey finally had a moment to reflect on the journey that transformed steep, rocky land near McMinnville into Trisaetum Winery, a family operation in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. His path to winemaking was far from conventional. The first in his family to attend college, Frey built a career in corporate America. But long hours and frequent travel kept him away from his young children. He realized he wanted a life where he could be home every night for dinner while pursuing a passion rooted in family and the land. Leaving a financially secure career was risky, but he and his wife Andrea embraced the challenge together, determined to build something as a family.

Starting from bare land, the early years were full of uncertainty. The Freys spent six years preparing vineyards, planting, building the winery, and waiting for the first wines to mature. Frey recalls it as a long and anxious period of investment without immediate return. Now, nearly two decades and 19 vintages later, the effort has proved worthwhile.

From the start, Frey committed to farming in a way that nurtures a healthy ecosystem. Living on the Coast Range vineyard and working daily on the Ribbon Ridge property, he embraced sustainable and regenerative practices, learning that caring for the land naturally results in more complex wines. They dry-farm all vineyards, hand-harvest fruit, limit soil disturbance, encourage wildflowers, and preserve more than half of the land in its native state. “The more you take care of the land in a sustainable and regenerative way, the more complex and interesting the wines become,” Frey said, underscoring that stewardship is as much about ethics as it is about wine quality.

Self-taught in winemaking, Frey leaned on mentorship from notable figures like Josh Bergström and Jacques Lardière, yet his philosophy remained guided by curiosity and experimentation. He emphasizes minimal intervention, letting nature guide fermentations with indigenous yeasts, performing foot pigeage—gently treading the grapes by foot to extract color and flavor—for reds, and minimal settling. He pays close attention to temperature control but otherwise allows the process to unfold naturally. This restraint ensures that each bottle reflects the vineyard’s unique character.

Trisaetum’s wines are known for expressing the soil, climate, and spirit of the Willamette Valley. Pinot Noir and Riesling thrive, translating the earth’s nuances into the glass. Frey believes thoughtful farming paired with careful, hands-off winemaking creates wines that are not only accurate reflections of place but also deeply personal narratives of the land.

The winery’s name blends the names of Frey’s children, a sign of its intended multi-generational legacy. Today, Tristen serves as general manager, Tatum as lead enologist, and their brother-in-law Jackson as assistant winemaker. Watching the next generation embrace the vision has been deeply rewarding.

For Frey, winemaking combines science and art. He often draws parallels between his off-season painting and his work in the cellar, finding that creativity and analytical thinking are both essential. “You need science to make a good bottle of wine. You need art to make a great bottle of wine,” he said, reflecting on the balance required to craft expressive wines.

Perseverance and patience are central to his approach. Early in the process, Frey struggled with his own impatience, but over time he learned that great outcomes cannot be rushed. Dry farming and native yeast fermentations demand time and attentiveness, teaching lessons that no textbook or mentor could provide. He sees these qualities as fundamental not only to winemaking but to life. “There are certain things in life you just can’t rush if you want them to be great,” Frey said.

Frey also emphasizes that the wines are inseparable from the landscapes that produce them. Experiencing the terrain—whether the steep slopes of the Mosel, rugged Sonoma Coast, or the Willamette Valley—deepens appreciation for the wine. “Those that experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Willamette Valley hopefully find more beauty in the wines because they have a better sense of the place that created them,” he said. This connection between land and glass turns tasting into a reflective, almost spiritual experience.

Mentorship remains a key part of Frey’s work. He welcomes interns and young winemakers, sharing knowledge while encouraging them to discover their own methods. “Ultimately, their job is to figure what about our approach might work for them, and what doesn’t necessarily work for the style they want to create,” he said. By fostering curiosity and hands-on experimentation, Frey ensures that Trisaetum continues to evolve while maintaining the values that define it.

Nearly two decades into the winery’s life, Trisaetum stands as a testament to risk, vision, and family collaboration. Its wines embody not just the soil and climate of Ribbon Ridge but the dedication, artistry, and values of those who nurture them. For James Frey, the journey is about more than production—it is a life deliberately lived, grounded in family, shaped by the land, and expressed in every bottle.

The wines featured in the Wine Recommendations section were provided by the winery for the purpose of review. The selection and tasting of these wines were independently conducted. No compensation or incentives were provided for inclusion in the story. As always, the top priority is to provide readers with informative reporting.

Wine Recommendations

2022 Pinot Noir ‘Artist Series’ – immediately seduces with an exuberant core of blackberry, black cherry, and decadent chocolate. On the palate, this wine is plush and polished—its seamless texture framed by ripe, velvety tannins and a lively acid spine, interwoven with a persistent wave of dark fruits that linger through a long, harmonious finish. Elegant yet powerful.

2023 Ribbon Ridge Estate Pinot Noir – aromas of red plums, cherries, and a hint of red licorice. The palate is firm yet balanced, showing vivid fruit, juicy acidity, and spice. It finishes tense and lingering with fine tannins.

2023 Coast Range Estate Pinot Noir – restrained and elegant, offering a lighter expression. Bright, vibrant raspberry and cranberry are lifted by razor-sharp acidity, creating a wine that is both refreshing and profoundly nuanced.

2024 Ribbon Ridge Estate Riesling – delivers an enticing bouquet of apricot and nectarine. On the palate, the wine strikes a balance between bright, zesty acidity and a gently sweet, slightly sugary richness that lends plushness without overwhelming freshness. The texture is lush yet precise, carrying vibrant citrus and pear flavors through a clean, elongated finish.