Vineyard Notes:Our vineyard is on a southeast-facing slope in the last hills of the Chehalem Mountain range. Each vine is nestled in a windblown Loess soil anchored to this basalt range with depths of six to twelve feet. This rich soil produces grapes lavish in the tastes of the earth and its surrounding micro- climate. Each vine was coaxed by hand to produce full, compact clusters. In this unusual microclimate the 480 foot elevation is protected by higher hills on three sides from any coastal storms or harsh weather changes. The sun warms the grapes through the day, producing the sugars and flavors into the peak of the afternoon. The grapes are then cooled by the late afternoon and evening ocean breezes that fan down the Columbia River, skirting the coastal range into this, the northern Willamette Valley. This daily cycle is repeated from late summer through early fall until the grapes are picked at their peak of ripeness. The vines, trained to a Henry trellis, achieved a critical balance of vine growth to berry growth. The bunches ripened in their time – slowly – to achieve the utmost flavors this unusual microclimate can create.Reviews:Burghound - 892008 Pinot Noir: (Chehalem Mountains). A very pretty nose combines notes of red cherry, raspberry and a hint of cranberry that marry into nicely rich and round middle weight flavors that possess good mid-palate concentration with fine volume on the balanced if mildly somber finish that avoids any hint of austerity. This well-made effort is not especially refined but it offers fine depth. 89/2013+2010 NW Wine Summit - Silver medal winner; named 2008 Outstanding Pinot Noir in the 2010 Oregon Wine Awards.