2017 Pinot Noir Cardiac Hill
"Cardiac Hill earned its name honestly. It's the steepest pitch in our vineyard—so steep your heart pounds when you climb it. But that struggle is exactly what makes the wine."
—Kim Kramer, Winemaker
The Story of Cardiac Hill
Picture this: You're standing at the bottom of our steepest hillside, looking up at roughly one acre of vines clinging to a dramatic slope. Planted in 1995 with Pommard and Dijon 115 clones, these 1,200 vines per acre are some of the most stressed in our entire vineyard.
The soil here is different—ribbons of clay snake through the block, gripping the vines, forcing them to dig deeper and work harder. Lower yields. Smaller berries. More concentrated flavor. This is what struggle tastes like when it's beautiful.
In 2017, we harvested these grapes by hand, fermented with 75% whole clusters, and aged the wine in 20% new French oak. Then we waited. And waited. Bottled in June 2019, this wine has spent 8+ years evolving in bottle—developing the kind of complexity that can only come from time and patience.
Where to Drink This Wine
This isn't a patio sipper. This is a wine for moments that matter:
🍽️ At the table with a perfectly roasted pork loin, crispy skin still crackling, served alongside earthy mushrooms and root vegetables
🔥 By the fire on a cold Oregon evening, with friends who appreciate wine that's been given time to become something more
🌲 At your cabin, paired with wild salmon you caught yourself, the wine's bright acidity cutting through the richness
🎵 During a quiet dinner party where the conversation is as layered as the wine—dark fruit, pepper, earth, and time all woven together
This is a wine that rewards attention. It's structured enough to age for years to come, but drinking so beautifully right now that you won't want to wait.
In the Glass
Open the bottle and give it some air—this wine has stories to tell. Aromas of strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry rise first, followed by darker notes of cassis. The palate shows dark raspberries and cherries, building to a long, peppery finish that lingers like the memory of that steep climb up Cardiac Hill.
At 13% alcohol, this is elegant rather than powerful—a wine made from vines that had to fight for every drop of water, every bit of nutrients. You can taste that struggle, and it's gorgeous.
What Our Customers Say
"Had with dinner tonight. It's been sitting in our home for a couple of years. Decided to give it a try tonight. Fantastic. I'm not a professional who can describe notes. But love Pinot and this is one of the best."
—Kelly D., Wine Club Member
Why Library Wines Matter
When we make wine, we're not thinking about what it will taste like in six months. We're thinking about what it will become in six years. Our 70-75% whole cluster fermentation sacrifices some color intensity, but the payoff is wines that age beautifully—elegant tannins, evolving flavors, the kind of complexity that only comes with time in bottle.
This 2017 Cardiac Hill has had that time. It's ready for you now—but if you want to tuck a few bottles away for another 3-5 years, it will reward you even more.
Perfect Pairings
- Roasted pork loin with crispy skin
- Wild salmon with herb butter
- Mushroom risotto or porcini pasta
- Roasted root vegetables with thyme
- Aged cheeses and charcuterie
Serve at: Slightly below room temperature (60-65°F)
Decant for: 30-60 minutes to let it open up
Drink now or age: Drinking beautifully now, will continue to develop through 2030+
