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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

ILLAHE VINEYARD

Learn more about Illahe Vineyard →

Owner: Lowell Ford

Vineyard manager: Lowell Ford

AVA: Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley

Vineyard size: 62 acres

Property size: 80 acres

Soil: Dupee and Wellsdale, which are sedimentary yellow clay from the floods. Some jory in the east pommard.

Elevation: 250 to 400 ft.

Vine age: Earliest plantings in 2000

Clones: Pommard, 777, 115

Wines produced: Pinot Noir Illahe Vineyard and Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Certification(s): LIVE certified

Visit the Illahe Vineyard Website →

MAHONIA VINEYARD

Learn more about Mahonia Vineyard →

Owner: John Miller

Vineyard manager: Stirling Fox; SWiG

AVA: Willamette Valley

Vineyard size: 12 acres

Property size: 35 acres

Soil: Jory and Nekia

Elevation: 450 ft.

Vine age: Planted between 1985 and 1993

Clones: Pommard, 113, 114, 115, 777 for Pinot Noir and 76, 95, 96 for Chardonnay. Also Pinot gris and Pinot blanc.

Wines produced: Pinot Noir Mahonia Vineyard and Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Certification(s): LIVE Certified, Salmon Safe, Carbon Neutral Challenge (CRC)

Visit Mahonia Vineyard Website →

SOJEAU VINEYARD

Learn more about Sojeau Vineyard →

Owner: Denny & Thelma Peseau

Vineyard manager: Angel Martinez

AVA: Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley

Vineyard size: 18 acres

Property size: 20 acres

Soil: Nekia, Ritner, Witzel

Elevation: 500 to 680 ft.

Vine age: Planted in 2007

Clones: Pommard, Wadenswil, 115 for Pinot Noir and 76 and 95 for Chardonnay.

Wines produced: Pinot Noir Sojeau Vineyard, Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée, and Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Certification(s): Uncertified, but organic practice

Visit the Sojeau Vineyard Website →

TEMPERANCE HILL

Learn more about Temperance Hill →

Owner: Edward Koo family

Vineyard manager: Dai Crisp

AVA: Eola-Amity Hills

Vineyard size: 100+ acres

Property size: 200 acres approximately

Soil: Primarily Jory. Nekia near top block, uppermost section.

Elevation: 800 ft.

Vine age: Planted in 1982

Clones: Pommard on its roots

Wine produced: Pinot Noir Temperance Hill

Certification(s): Certified organic in 2012 by USDA and Oregon Tilth

Visit the Temperance Hill Website →