Vineyards
We aim to produce classic chardonnay, pinot noir, and syrah at the highest level, with vineyards of great terroir and stewardship directing our efforts. These three varietals are perfect mediums for highlighting differences in habitat, technique and seasonal change here in the Willamette Valley, and we aim as producers to maintain those distinctions in character with an effort towards pristine and focused quality. We seek growers who attend to the details and are always digging a bit deeper in learning and understanding their amazing habitats. In the vineyard we look towards sustainable and dryland farming, practices we find result in the most powerful fruit we can attain. We work with approximately 8 hectares. We are so grateful for the fabulous growers we get to work with.
Stormy Morning vineyard
Stormy Morning Vineyard is located in the far reaches of the Tualatin Hills AVA. Shallow, ancient marine sediments form the topsoil. We work with chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah blocks within the vineyard.
We source both own-rooted 115, 115 on 3309, and the following variations for Pinot Noir: Pommard, Wädenswil, 777, 943, 828, Swan, and Mariafeld. These are planted within two acres, leading us to coferment the blocks. One of the primary notes from Stormy Morning in Pinot Noir is blood orange.
Chardonnay grown on these shallow soils typically reveal flavors in razor thin filaments. Tropical notes aren’t uncommon, though there is always a thread of lime throughout. Wente and 96 are the variations.
Syrah as one can imagine requires a bit more attention in cooler climate. Spend a few days here in August and you know how hot it can get. This doesn’t always mean we get a jumpstart to the season like our colleagues further south or in the deep end of the Rhône Valley. Thus with more thinning early in the season, we tighen yields up ensuring we come through the finish line before the guaranteed November rains. With the longest growing time of the group, the Syrah typically comes in around halloween, and the integrity of the fruit is always very high given the thicker skins and looser clusters which help shed any rain. Syrah from Stormy Morning is spice driven, with red fruit dominating with air. Tannins are most like baker’s chocolate in youth, and meld nicely in 2-3 years. As these vines continue to age, I think more of personality will continue to be revealed.
Farmers: Bill and Mary Lowblad
Year Planted: 2001
Acreage under vine: 12
Soils: Kinton Silt Loam (Ancient marine sediments). Bands of Iron rich soil approximately 6-7 feet below throughout the vineyard
Elevation: 250 – 500 feet
Farming: Organic practices, Dry-farmed
Sourcing began: 2013-
Stormy Morning Vineyard, Shot by: Alex Fortson
Johan Vineyards
Johan Vineyards is located in the Van Duzer Corridor AVA southwest of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, experiencing cooler, more maritime influences including wind and large diurnal temperature swings from day to night. We source both Chardonnay (95, 76) and Pinot Noir (115) from Johan. The fruit always shows a full ripeness of flavor with striking acidity and structure. These wines feel firmly built in youth, with plenty of fruit for a long possible arc in aging.
Farmers: Nathan Wood
Year Planted: 2002
Acreage under vine: 62
Soils: Santiam, Steiwer, and Helvetia (Ancient marine sediments)
Elevation: 290 feet
Farming: Biodynamic, and regenerative, Dry-farmed
Sourcing began: 2013-
Johan Vineyards, Courtesy of Team Johan.
Molly's Vineyard
Molly’s Vineyard is planted on a knoll hugging the banks of the Tualatin River, surrounded by a band of Oregon conifers. The vineyard is not too far outside of the Cascade foothills, and the soils are of a sedimentary series originating from the ancient Missoula floods. Molly’s is a 1 hectare site, where we grow a kaleidoscope of Chardonnay (95, 96, 76, Wente, Draper, and Espiguette 352) two tones of Pinot Noir (Pommard, 115) and a splash of Gamay Noir. Wines from this site excel with bubbles, while Chardonnay leads with lines of green and yellow citrus with deeper notes of sweet blossoms, while pressed Pinot Noir and Gamay are reminiscent of cranberry and Rio Star grapefruit. Flavor feels deep with plenty of cut.
Farmers: Darrel Roby
Year Planted: 2000
Soils: Columbia River basalt, loess
Farming: Organic, Dry-farmed
Sourcing began: 2013-
Molly’s Vineyard
Bracken Vineyard
Bracken Vineyard is located at the top of the Eola Bench in the Western Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Facing west is a unique vantage point for vineyards, and a risky one at lower elevations tucked deeper in the valley. Bracken benefits from facing west lining up in the path of the Van Duzer Corridor. Following the afternoon heat in the summer, cool air comes pulling at the heels of the heat, allowing cooler air to settle in for the working vines at night. Wind also plays a role in firming up the skins, helping phenolics develop in structure and taste. The vines are young yet, though the terroir of this site has a lot to say already. Deep seated red fruits, with brooding footnotes of earth and sarsaparilla are common in the Pinot Noir. We source both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Bracken Vineyard.
Farmer: Shelby Perkins
Soils: Nekia, Witner, Witzel, and Jory (Volcanic)
Elevation: 630-750 feet
Farming: Organic and Biodynamic Practices, Dry-farmed
Year Planted: 2016
Sourcing began: 2019-
Bracken Vineyard
vojtilla Vineyard
Vojtilla Vineyard is located on the slopes of Ladd Hill in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Facing east is courageous, and thirty years ago that would have met lots of questions as south facing vineyards were grabbing the most heat, sun and attention. As we find ourselves with warm vintages one following another, eastern aspects allow a longer ripening curve as the vines face the cooler rising sun. We find the fruit to showcase freshness, poise, and plenty of delineation in flavor. Chardonnay is at once powerful and lithe, with loads of yellow fruit highlights. The Pinot Noir is deep in flavor with a sheerness in delivery. Flavors are bright red. We source both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Vojtilla Vineyard.
Farmer: Dennis Vojtilla
Soils: Nekia, Jory, Saum (Volcanic)
Elevation: 500-600 feet
Farming: Organic Practices, Dry-farmed
Year Planted: 1991
Sourcing began: 2020-
Vojtilla Vineyard