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There’s a lot to be said for returning to our roots. Joe Dobbes, and Steve Wilson, along with their spouses Patricia and Maureen, have a long history with wine and hospitality. They share an equal passion for exceptional offerings. After 40 years respectively, they refined their businesses. A new vision that required downsizing and a relocation. These changes allowed Joe to create Iterum (Latin for again, afresh, once more) with a portfolio that includes Estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Methode Traditionelle Sparkling Wine. Steve and Maureen relocated The Bay House from the Oregon coast to a quaint community in a unique historical church in Dayton, Oregon. Both Iterum and The Bay House are now 20 miles from each other. We are excited to bring to you Iterum’s exceptional collection of 6 wines paired with The Bay House 5-course tasting menu. Winemaker, Joe Dobbes will present Iterum’s wines along side Executive Chef, Nathan Bates who will describe his creations as we move through an evening to include stories of Old Friends with a new vision.
Join us for an unforgettable evening featuring Terry Culton, Director of Winemaking & Vineyards, who will present wine from Willamette Valley Vineyards — one of Oregon’s most celebrated producers, known for crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines that beautifully reflect the cool-climate charm of the Willamette Valley. Their wines are rooted in the region’s signature climate and soil, producing Pinot Noir and other varietals with refined balance, bright fruit character, and nuanced complexity rather than heavy oak or overt sweetness. Beyond Pinot Noir, their range often includes Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Rosé, and special library or terroir-focused wines, offering a spectrum of tastes to complement each course and palate. The Bay House balances intimate sophistication with comfortable hospitality, refined farm-fresh food, and is the perfect setting for an engaging winemaker’s dinner.
We are excited to have second generation winemaker, Jason Lett, join us for a very special evening at The Bay House. Jason is the son of founders David and Diana. Jason grew up in the vineyards and winery, and after gaining experience both abroad and in research, he returned home to guide Eyrie’s evolution. Rather than reinventing the style, Jason has deepened and refined the estate’s founding philosophy — embracing traditional, gentle techniques like native yeast fermentations and extended, careful handling — to express the true character of the vines and vintage. Under his leadership, Eyrie has also expanded its portfolio with single-vineyard bottlings and thoughtful experimentation, all while keeping the heart of the winery rooted in balance and terroir. Jason’s stewardship blends reverence for history with a quietly progressive spirit, making Eyrie wines both respectful of their past and relevant today — a perfect complement to a dinner where story, place, and palate come together.
Founded in 1965 by David and Diana Lett, The Eyrie Vineyards is one of the true pioneers of Willamette Valley wine, widely credited with planting the first Pinot Noir and the first Pinot Gris in Oregon — bringing the state’s cool-climate potential to the world’s attention. Eyrie’s 1975 Pinot Noir famously ranked with great Burgundies in international blind tastings, helping put Oregon on the global wine map.
The Bay House welcomes winemaker Ken Wright who is a deeply respected figure in Oregon wine, known as much for his role in defining the Willamette Valley’s vineyard landscape as for the wines he crafts. A student of terroir long before it was a buzzword, Ken championed site-specific, single-vineyard Pinot noirs, believing that great wine is a true reflection of place, not stylistic trends.At Ken Wright Cellars, winemaking is all about connection — to vineyard, vintage, and place. For nearly three decades in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Ken Wright has dedicated himself to producing Pinot noir that lets the land speak first — expressing the unique character of each site with clarity, balance, and integrity. It’s the feeling of being welcomed into the story, not just observing it — with laughter, reflection, and shared discovery at every sip. Whether you’re a seasoned Pinot lover or discovering Oregon wine for the first time, joining Ken Wright for a winemaker’s dinner feels like an exploration through some of the valley’s most treasured vineyards, guided by one of the people who helped put them on the map.