The Estate: Le Puits Sec Vineyard

Le Puits Sec, the gently sloping, east-facing vineyard is tightly-spaced and nestled on a low terrace (300-420 ft. elevation) on the eastern side of the Eola-Amity Hills ridge. This area, known locally as “Spring Valley”, has already proven to have one of Oregon’s best micro-climates for the production of fine wines from Burgundian and Alsatian varieties. It is here that the rather shallow volcanic basalt soils allow us to achieve the low yields we seek for wines of great intensity and complexity. As well, it is the uniqueness of this “terroir” that gives Le Puits Sec wines their signature.

In order to realize the goal of emphasizing the uniqueness of our terroir (and thus our wines), in 2000 Evesham Wood obtained organic certification of Le Puits Sec vineyard. With the enactment of federal regulations governing organic certification in 2002 (the USDA’s National Organic Program), our winery processing was certified as well. Additionally, we are charter members of DRC (Deep Roots Coalition), a group of local growers/producers which advocates the use of natural methods in the vineyard and cellar, especially the harvesting of grapes exclusively from non-irrigated vineyards (thus forcing the vine’s roots to grow deeper into the soil). Indeed, we feel that the concept of terroir would have little validity in an irrigated vineyard.

When sourcing fruit for our blends or vineyard designates, it remains vitally important to us to partner with vineyards who share our general philosophy. The growers listed below meet that criteria and more.  And we’re so very privileged to work with each of them in bringing to the bottle their unique interpretations of their land and what fruit is meant to be.

VINEYARD SPECIFICATIONS: Le Puits Sec Vineyard

AVAs: Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley

Owner: Erin and Jordan Nuccio  |  Vineyard manager: Erin Nuccio

Vineyard size: 13.5 acres |  Property size: 25 acres total

Soil: Jory, Nekia, Woodburn |  Elevation: 300-420 ft.

Vine age: Planted 1986, 1991 Experimental plantings in 1996 and 2001. Replanting of original own-rooted vines is ongoing on a vine-by-vine basis |  Clones: Pommard, 115 and 114 for Pinot Noir and 96 for Chardonnay. Also planted are Pinot Gris (Colmar), Gewürztraminer, Kerner, Pinot Blanc, Traminer, Rieslaner, and Gruner Veltliner

Certification(s): USDA Certified, Oregon Tilth, Deep Roots Coalition, Salmon Safe; certified organic since 2000