Our Vineyards
Nestled in the northern part of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, our 22-acre vineyard boasts some of the oldest marine soils in the Willamette Valley. Protected from the elements by the Coast Range mountains, this unique terroir yields wines with a flavor profile unlike anywhere else in the world.
Our vineyard story began in 1984, when we planted our first vines.
With an average vine age of 30 years, we pride ourselves on our longstanding commitment to sustainable, dry-farming practices. Our estate is defined by the marine sedimentary rock-based Peavine and Willakenzie soil deposits unique to the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Sitting atop ancient sea beds, these soils offer exceptional drainage for our mature root systems. To maximize Oregon’s sun exposure and ensure beautifully even ripening, we carefully employ Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) trellising across all 22 acres.
Our diverse plantings include Pinot Noir, Dijon Chardonnay, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris, Carmine, Pinot Meunier, and Grüner Veltliner. For our flagship red, our clonal selection spans Pommard, Dijon (114, 115, 117, 667, 777), Coury, Wädenswil, and the rare Gamay Beaujolais Upright clone. Ultimately, it’s not just about the varieties we cultivate in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA—it’s the intentional way we grow them.
Terroir
Our vineyard is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, an area renowned for its unique terroir and ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir and other varietals. The combination of ancient marine sedimentary soils, cool climate, and optimal elevation creates the perfect environment for our vines to thrive. These elements contribute to the distinct flavors and characteristics of our wines.
Climate
The cool climate of the Willamette Valley, with its wet winters and dry summers, provides the ideal conditions for growing high-quality Pinot Noir and other varietals. The significant diurnal temperature variation—cool nights and warm days—helps to develop complex flavors while maintaining acidity in the grapes.
Soil
The soils in our Yamhill-Carlton AVA vineyard are primarily ancient marine sedimentary soils, which are coarse-grained and well-draining. This stresses the vines, leading to lower yields but more concentrated flavors in the grapes. The soil’s unique composition contributes to the minerality and complexity of our wines.
Blocks of Note
Rebecca’s Reserve Pinot Noir
In addition to our sustainability commitment, we strive to innovate and experiment with our vineyard practices. Take, for example, our Rebecca’s Reserve Pinot Noir. In the early 1980s, we planted our vines on a 5′ x 10′ spacing, the standard at the time. But in the late 1980s, we began questioning whether this spacing was optimal for our site. Inspired by Burgundian vineyards, planted much more densely, we hypothesized that a higher vine density would result in smaller clusters and more intense flavors. So we modified our planting strategy to include four rows with 4′ x 4′ spacing and a ten-foot break for the tractor between rows. The results were extraordinary, and today Rebecca’s Reserve Pinot Noir is renowned for its unique flavor profile.
Heritage Pinot Noir
Our Heritage block is home to some of our finest Pinot Noir and holds a special place in our family’s heart as our oldest and original Pinot Noir, planted in 1984. To maintain and improve its quality, we increased vine density in 1999 by adding a row of Pinot Noir every other row, increasing density from 870 vines/acre to 1300 vines/acre. This change helped to increase the stress on the older vines, leading to more balanced growth and ripening. As a result, the wines from this block are structured, densely layered, and possess excellent cellaring potential, truly showcasing the best of our vineyard’s unique terroir.
Cardiac Hill Pinot Noir
The Cardiac Hill Block is a true gem in our vineyard and one that we are particularly proud of. This block is home to just over one acre of high-quality Pinot Noir vines that grow on a steep hillside with a thin humus layer. The ribbons of red and gold clay that cut through this terrain make Cardiac Hill unique, providing a micro-terroir that imparts a distinctive character to the fruit. The tough soils and the steep hillside stress the vines, delaying their development and making it a decade before the plants could produce enough crop to make a single block designate. But the wait was worth it, as the resulting wine showcases the complexity and depth that can only come from such a unique and challenging terroir. We planted the Dijon 115 and Pommard clones here, with more conventional 10 x 4 spacing. Still, the distinctive soil composition provides enough vine stress for balanced growth and development of this exceptional fruit.
Chardonnay Clonal Selection
Our Chardonnays showcase our commitment to using the best clones for our site. In the 1990s, we transformed our Chardonnay production, turning to the Dijon clones from Burgundy after struggling to ripen the earlier-planted 108 and Draper clones from California. The difference was striking – the Dijon clone Chardonnay ripened one month earlier than the 108 block, resulting in fruit with more balance and developed flavors. Since then, we have been using 100% Dijon clones, which have enabled us to produce exceptional Chardonnays that reflect our unique terroir consistently.