No irrigation, no systemic herbicides
While I do not own any vineyards, I farm my blocks at Hanson Vineyards under a lease agreement; prior to that, I farmed Zena Springs under a similar agreement. I purchase the majority of my grapes from trusted farmers, typically under acreage contracts so that I can manage yields correctly and ensure custom farming protocols as needed.
All the vineyards are located in the Willamette Valley, very close to the 45th parallel. All are dry farmed, without exception.
Hanson Vineyards
WILLAMETTE VALLEY AVA • PINOT NOIR, Pinot Gris, Gamay, Gewürztraminer, Riesling
I lease vines from Jason Hanson and farm them organically, without tillage, and with 100% cover crop.
The vines at Hanson are planted on very well drained alluvial soils. A melange of clay, silt, and sand dominate the top layers, and beneath that are gravels emplaced by Butte Creek. It's an unusual terroir for the Valley, and the wines show bright acids and graceful, gentle textures. (Pinot noir, Pinot gris)
The nearby HH vineyard is sited in Missoula flood deposits; vigor is reduced through the use of cover crops and I carefully manage yields. (Pinot blanc, Gamay)
The nearby Aamodt block is planted exclusively to 40 year old own-rooted Pommard clone Pinot Noir. This steeply sloping vineyard includes both deep Woodburn silt loam and sandier alluvial soil.
Satori Springs
Willamette Valley AVA • Blaufränkisch, Rotburger, Ehrenfelser, Kerner, Grüner Veltliner
Satori Springs is a west-facing site located near Oregon City. The Ehrenfelser and Kerner are the components of my “Lionesses” white blend; these varieties are planted on 2.5 million year old Jory soil formed during the eruption of nearby Highland Butte, a cinder cone that’s part of the Boring Volcanic Field. The Blaufränkisch and Rotburger are components of my “Failed Empires” red blend, and along with Grüner Veltliner, these varieties are planted lower on the slope on Cornelius silt loam, a silty loess-like soil.
Zenith Vineyard
EOLA-AMITY HILLS AVA • Pinot Noir
The Pinot noir from Zenith forms the backbone of the Eola-Amity Hills bottling and a vineyard designate wine is made as well.
The vast majority of my purchased grapes come from block 9-E, which is Pommard clone planted in 2006. In vintages 2014 and 2015 I also purchased small amount of 115 clone. I also source from a very young block of Wadenswil clone Pinot noir.
Zenith is a LIVE-certified vineyard. Soils are marine sedimentary. The gentle, south-facing slopes are cultivated (i.e. plowed) and are never sprayed with herbicides. The compost is built primarily from materials originating on-site.