​The Man

Dr. Nicolas Bazan, an internationally recognized neuroscientist, is the Director of the LSUHSC Neuroscience Center of Excellence. Beyond his passion for innovation in medicine and science, Bazan is a noted gastronome, a film producer and a novelist. Click here to read Dr. Bazan's full bio.

The Land

The planting site in the Wahle Vineyards are nestled between the lower elevation coastal mountain range and the higher elevation cascade range and have found the most success on south facing hillsides with elevations ranging between 300- 550 feet. The Nicolas Bazan Wines are dry farmed and crop loads range between 1.5 - 2 tons/acre. With the hope of capturing "terroir" and vintage specific character, irrigation is avoided. Incorporating sustainable vineyard practices into all production, operations continue as a priority. 

The Collaboration

The early success of Nicolas Bazan Wines is not surprising when you consider his remarkable talents and partnership with the pioneering Wahle Vineyard. The Bazan Wine project is a collaborative effort between Dr. Nicolas Bazan and Dr. Mark Wahle. Mark helped establish the Wahle Family vineyards in Yamhill, Oregon. These vineyards began with the planting of Pommard, Wadenswil and assorted Coury clones on a hilltop site in 1974. An original "experimental" block still grows adjacent to this vineyard site today.

Mark Wahle completed his Viticulture and Enology studies at U.C. Davis in 1988 and then continued with his medical studies. In 1999, Mark and his wife, Shaghayegh, discovered another prime vineyard site. This site in the Eola-Amity Hills enjoys a breathtaking hilltop view of the surrounding wine country. 

This is the "Holmes Hill" vineyard site, recognizing the original homesteader of this unique property. The Bazan Block comprises of 10 acres of the Holmes Hill vineyard site. Grapes for the Nicolas Bazan Wines are derived from this Block in addition to the original Yamhill vineyard site.