Tempranillo

The climate of the northern Willamette Valley was different when we planted our first grape vines in 1990.

Over time, growing season temperatures have risen precipitously.  With the reality of climate change upon us, in 2008 we decided to plant the Spanish red variety tempranillo, a warmer climate variety, in two experimental blocks at a moderately tight spacing. One is on a fairly steep south to southwest-facing slope and the other on a gently west-sloping plateau that was an oak savannah long ago. Both locations have shallow soils.

Tempranillo has a bright future in the northern Willamette Valley.  Every vintage we’ve harvested tempranillo about the same time as pinot noir at ideal ripeness and flavors.  Our tempranillo wines are richly flavored and plenty of complexity.