rosé & …
Brian and I were having one of those classic couples ‘discussions’ and he dug up this old rose release letter he wrote (see below) to prove his point (btw he won this round) - but I digress. I loved reading his letter from 10 years ago and I wanted to share it - as so many of these same things are true - does that mean we are the same? Yes… but have we evolved and refined as artists? I hope so. This is our 20th year and it seemed fitting to share a letter from 10 years into our journey.
Brian brought me a sample of this year's rosé a few nights ago just after he finished racking it out of its barrels into a tank for bottling and it was just bursting with fruit and had such a rich texture I’m excited for you all to try it.
This spring has been absolutely stunning. The vineyard is looking better than ever and this year's crop of baby lambs are beyond adorable. The cows are gobbling up the spring grass. We are excited for a beautiful season here on the farm and sharing our wines with you all!
Brian’s letter from 2016. - Royalty, dirt and a little pig
It seems like just yesterday we sent our last missive but it has been six weeks. We hope all who have ordered the first of the fourteen pinots are enjoying them and are happy with our efforts. We have two new wines to offer and a reliable favorite.
Clare and I have evolved as a winemaker and an artist dramatically since we started Big Table Farm almost ten years ago. I have gone from using the memories and wisdom of mentors to creating my own set. The wines that I make today are certainly still influenced by what I learned from others so long ago, but I have filled in those lessons with many of my own. I know what I want to drink and how to push to get there. To that end, the Elusive Queen and Earth most clearly demonstrate what I and Clare feel represent what we are most proud to share. I joke, but in all seriousness, if we can’t sell these wines we will be happy to drink them ourselves, and at just over a 100 cases each we could certainly do with time. These wines are not for everybody. They are for those who know and understand pinot noir and chardonnay, undoubtedly some of you even more than I.
With almost 700 cases of chardonnay and 3000 cases of pinot noir in our cellar for 2014 we felt that we could pull out the best of the best barrels, blend and bottle them, without having a dramatic impact on the regular bottlings.
I hope that those of you who get to try these wines enjoy them. I hope that this is a success because I would like to continue creating and exploring the best that I can offer each year with what is presented to me. Will these blends happen every year? I don’t know.
I don’t remember who came up with the name Earth but I chose it. There were other names bantered about but I chose Earth because it represents so much and can mean so many different things, interpreted from a plentitude of angles. It is our home, grand and tiny at the same time. Made simply of 118 elements, yet so profoundly complex. We have known it for generation upon generation yet we continue to make discoveries, both personally and scientifically. As I write I think maybe I have chosen a name too grand, but I want this wine to make us think about our home. Clare and I try to live each day in harmony with ourselves, each other and all that is around us. We are not religious, but we try to accept our humanity and try to live within the confines of our home and what it can support.
As the wines are a departure from our past, the labels are also an artistic departure. I remember the day Clare was working on them. It was a beautiful Sunday (one of the first we have started to take off). I was in and out of the house as she worked with focus and intention. I left her alone and when she finally showed me what she had come up with – I was a little shocked and asked her what she had been smoking? Absolutely nothing she laughed (not her thing and I know it) and proceeded to explain the significance of all that had been committed to paper. I cannot remember all that she explained and I’m not sure I would/should share if I could. I think it is up to you to make your own inferences, to add to the enjoyment and mystery of drinking these wines.
The name the Elusive Queen is inspired by Clare’s passion for keeping bees. As you well know our Willamette valley bottling of chardonnay always has honey bee inspired drawings, so then should the barrel select. Clare can tell the story better than I but the name came to her one day as she was collecting a swarm of bees and wasn’t sure if the swarm contained the queen, and then she caught a glimpse and knew the swarm would turn into a successful hive.
Part II – April 8, 2016. Today was a great day, cold and clear in the dark this morning as I opened up the winery to prepare to bottle the 2015 Laughing Pig rose and edelzwicker (fall release). This was our fourth time bottling in our new winery, and it gets easier every time. The bottling went smoothly, Clare made everybody cornbread and chili for lunch. Jeff and I cleaned up in the afternoon and now I am sipping Laughing Pig rose as I write- admiring the cows grazing new spring grass, dogs lazy in the sun on the porch, and me taking it all in. The wines are terrific; I am looking forward to having the Laughing Pig around all summer. I love to take a glass out with me at the end of the day to the garden and spend an hour or two hoeing weeds, puttering and planning, watering and watching it all grow.
The laughing pig rose is back – it is as good as ever. We have just a little more than last year, and from what I read in the wine business rags, rose is increasingly popular these days, so please don’t wait to order. I promise it will make any occasion just a little bit better, a little laughing pig makes any moment more memorable.
Thank you again for continuing to enjoy and share our wine, this is unquestionably what allows us to continue this wacky adventure called Big Table Farm.
And now back to 2026!
As always Brian makes this wine each year with the goal of making a wine he wants to drink: dry, malolactic complete, and one that stands up to food while also being delicious on its own.
Its release marks the beginning of spring for us, and it is a house favorite until it’s all gone sometime in August/September. As always, it’s bottled without any fining or filtration after spending 5-6 months in neutral barrels.
The 2025 Laughing Pig is delicious! This beautiful dry rosé has high-toned strawberry and cherry, that is balanced with a soft yet impressive richness on the palate. It’s always the first wine released of a vintage, so it is always special - we are so happy to be able to keep trotting it out!
Thank you for supporting our dream, so we can continue to bring wines to your table.
Spring Wines, Earth Pinot Noir and the Elusive Queen Chardonnay
If you have already bought our spring release wines, thank you. We are grateful to feel so connected to you all and hope you will find something in our current offering that fits your table and budget. And please keep reaching out via email, phone and social media from wherever your table is in the world!
Earth and Queen allocations went out today so watch your in box! If you would like to be on the allocation wait list please reach out to Joe directly - joe@bigtablefarm.com
Thank you all that came to the farm for the release party and art show this past weekend!
Your support of our small family business means everything now more than ever!
Special shout out to our niece and nephews, who came to bottle the rosé and help with the party. This is now an annual event. For those of you out of town, we will continue to announce the date early so you can plan to join us next year! Thanks to all that took home wine and art. It was a huge success and so wonderful to share the farm with you all again for this special once a year event!
Meat from the Farm
If you live locally, let us know if you would like to be on our meat share list. If you are interested in procuring some of this beautiful high-quality, 100% grass-fed beef, goat or lamb from big table farm, please send me a note at clare @ bigtablefarm.com (local residents only please as you will need to pick up in Hubbard).
We are continuing to do our best to see each day as an opportunity to make art, take care of our land and enjoy life. Thank you so much for buying, drinking and sharing our wines. We are humbled and honored to be part of your daily meals and celebrations alike!
Cheers - Clare, Brian, Joe, Laura, and Patricia
If you follow us on social media you might have seen the ‘Farm Fridays’ announcement - I’m offering farm visits each week to folks who would like to come see the farm before their seated tasting. The farm tour is 9:30 - 10:30 on friday mornings May through August (there are a few black out dates so you do need to rsvp : ) To schedule, book a big table tasting and mention farm friday in your request.
** a note on ordering wine - If you're super busy - please let us help you order wine in whatever way is EASIEST for YOU! We are happy to assist. Call, email - We are available to make sure you get the wines you love! If you want to reach out please just send an email to joe@bigtablefarm.com or call 503-457-5726 or Text Directly! and we'll follow up with YOU and get your order. You can also Click here to go right to the buy wine page
If you don't follow me on Instagram you might enjoy doing so. As all the development projects and baby animals all continue to grow on the farm, I will continue to post all the spring farm happenings, recipes and what’s happening in the winery @bigtablefarm
ps - you can also follow new paintings @clarecarver and www.clarecarver.com