The English word "clone" is derived directly from the Greek word "klon," meaning "twig," and refers to the fact that a clone is derived from a twig (it must be asexually propagated). Webster defines "clone" as ". . . the aggregate of the asexually produced progeny of an individual." All entities descended from the original individual have the same genetic material (they are identical). Viticulture defines a clone as a population of vines derived by vegetative propagation from a single "mother" vine. Again, all vines originating from this mother vine are genetically identical.
Clones arise as a result of spontaneous mutations over time (mutations occur at low but constant rates in plants). A clone is thus the manifestation of biological evolution within a variety that has been propagated vegetatively over time. Different clones of a polyclonal variety look very similar, but they can be distinguished from each other by one or more external characteristics (e.g., lobing of the leaves, size and shape of the bunches, etc.).
Pinot Noir, having a long history of vegetative propagation in Burgundy, has many clones (over several hundred have been identified). Popular clones currently being planted in Oregon include the following:
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Many of the newer clones are simply identified by number and are the result of clonal research conducted in Burgundy by Professor Raymond Bernard. All these newer clones are highly regarded in both Europe and America.
At Domaine Coteau all the clones listed above are planted.