Morgen Long
US

Located in Oregon's Willamette Valley, Morgen Long is a winery committed to crafting the purest expression of Oregon Chardonnay. Founded by winemaker Seth Morgen Long, the project is defined by an almost scholarly obsession with single‑vineyard sites and the way soil, elevation, and microclimate shape the variety. More than just a producer, Morgen Long explores how Oregon’s diverse landscapes can yield Chardonnays of structure, minerality, and tension. The hook lies in its minimalist, transparent approach: restrained oak, attentive but low‑intervention cellar work, and a focus on letting each vineyard speak clearly. With an emphasis on minimalism and transparency, Morgen Long aims to showcase the structure, minerality, and tension inherent in Oregon Chardonnay, allowing each vineyard's distinct voice to shine through.

History and Background

Founded in 2014, Morgen Long Wine is the vision of winemaker Seth Morgen Long, whose background includes years of focused study on Chardonnay both in Oregon and abroad. Drawing from his background in wine retail, cellar work, and training in Burgundy, Long became convinced that Oregon held untapped potential for world‑class Chardonnay. He launched his own label to explore that potential through a single‑minded focus on vineyard‑designated wines. Through vineyard-designated wines and collaborative partnerships with renowned Willamette Valley growers, Morgen Long has evolved from a micro-project to a leading Chardonnay producer in the region.

“Reminding many of the wines of Coche-Dury.”

by Charles Curtis MW, Decanter on the 00 Wines Chardonnays

Vineyard and Terroir

Morgen Long carefully sources Chardonnay from vineyards across the northern Willamette Valley, chosen for their diverse elevations, soil types, and clonal variations. By working predominantly with volcanic Jory and Nekia soils at elevations ranging from 400 to 800 feet, the winery cultivates grapes with slow ripening and vibrant acidity, essential for achieving the signature Morgen Long style. Through sustainable farming practices and close collaboration with growers, Morgen Long ensures balanced vines and restrained yields, allowing for the pure expression of each vineyard's terroir.

Winemaking Philosophy

Morgen Long’s winemaking approach blends Burgundian inspiration with Oregon specificity, emphasizing minimal intervention and meticulous care. Key elements of their approach include native yeast fermentations, full malolactic fermentation, low new oak usage for subtlety, extended lees contact for depth, and site-by-site vinification. With an aging process of approximately 17 to 20 months, including 12 months in French oak barrels, Morgen Long's wines prioritize finesse and structure, resulting in Chardonnays that are precise, pure, and capable of graceful evolution over time.

Signature Wines

Morgen Long produces several single-vineyard Chardonnays, each designed to express its unique site. Notable releases in their portfolio include wines sourced from key vineyards such as Temperance Hill and Witness Tree within the Willamette Valley. The winery also crafts distinctive expressions from the Koosah Vineyard and X Omni Vineyard, each contributing to a diverse and terroir-driven range. Through these sites, Morgen Long captures a compelling spectrum of the valley's geology and climate, from the structured, high-elevation intensity of certain blocks to the nuanced, mineral-driven profiles of others. Furthermore, their exploration of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA remains central to their philosophy, showcasing the region’s potential for producing Chardonnays of notable structure, vibrant acidity, and flinty complexity. Through these focused selections — and a winemaking approach that prioritises native fermentation, restrained oak, and extended lees contact — Morgen Long continues to articulate a precise and compelling narrative of Oregon Chardonnay, building a reputation for purity, age-worthiness, and a profound sense of place.

Recognition and Impact

Morgen Long has swiftly garnered significant critical acclaim, solidifying its position as a leading voice in Oregon Chardonnay. Its wines consistently receive high praise and scores of 95+ points from influential publications such as Vinous, The Wine Advocate, and Burghound. This recognition has not only elevated the winery profile, but has also contributed to a broader re-evaluation of Willamette Valley's potential for producing world-class, age-worthy Chardonnay. By championing a precise, site-transparent style and forging deep partnerships with esteemed growers, Morgen Long has influenced both viticultural focus and winemaking philosophy within the region, inspiring a new wave of producers to explore the nuances of individual vineyard expression.

Morgen Long has redefined the potential of Oregon Chardonnay through his commitment to site, precision, and restraint. In a region celebrated for Pinot Noir, the winery has carved out a distinct identity by proving that the Willamette Valley’s volcanic slopes and varied microclimates can yield Chardonnays of world-class structure, minerality, and age-worthiness. For anyone passionate about the future of American fine wine, exploring Morgen Long is essential, as the winery continues to articulate the narrative of Oregon Chardonnay with increasing clarity and depth, vintage after vintage.

2017 Clos des Papes • Chateauneuf du Pape

He blends grapes from his different plots to co-ferment in large vats, after which he then re-blends in to large 20-55 hectoliter wooden foudres (casks) to mature for 15 months. New or small barrels are never used, “I like the oak to make an indirect impact – I only want tannins from the grape skins not even the pips and certainly not the stalks” says Avril. And though it may not be widely known, this domaine has been buying corks from the same producer in Portugal ever since 1926!

The wines are no doubt enticing, garnering great praise from many publications and critics such as Wine Spectator who awarded their 2005 vintage as “Wine of the Year”, stating that “in the Southern Rhône's recent trio of great vintages starting with 2003, no other Châteauneuf-du-Pape domaine has produced better wines than Clos des Papes”. But the accolades don’t stop there, as Robert Parker followed on to pronounce the 2007 vintage “the greatest Chateauneuf du Pape made since 1978 and 1990”.

We at Ginsberg+Chan are extremely proud to be the exclusive distributors of Clos des Papes, and with good volumes of both red and white back vintages too, we can ensure you a wide range of drinking windows for your cellar.

Available Wines From Morgen Long