Quality Vineyards

There must be a measure of "good karma" in recent developments here. Twenty six years ago, I set out to find that special slope of ancient volcanic Jory soil here the most elegant and layed flavors of Pinot Noir could be grown. I selected this property in the Salem Hills, in part, because it had disappointed its pioneer homesteaders with small "whisky" prunes - promising to produce small clusters and berries of intense Pinot Noir. Dan Dusschee, owner of Freedom Hill Vineyards helped me plant the first vines here.

As I learned more about growing Pinot, other locations in the valley proved each unique terrior would yield special attributes. I love the rose petal aromas in the Pinot Noir from the Tualatin Estate Vineyard and pursued the grapes for years until its founder decided to retire. I borrowed way too much to buy it in 1997 and fortunately paid off the mortgage a few months ago. Now we have this remarkable Pinot without the stress. We have the eighty acres of old, self-rooted vines plus over 100 acres of new plantings we've made there - now comprising the majority of our Pinot Noir blend. This Laurelwood soil is complex with a deep volcanic substructure overlaid with glacial age loess (blown) soil and Missoula Flood sediment topped with Mt. Hood eruptive iron balls varying in size from sand to ball bearings.

Over time, the Eola Hills range has produced some of Oregon's top Pinots from its deep, volcanic Jory soil, in particular Elton Vineyards planted by Dick and Betty O'Brien in 1983, the same year I began planting. We have been lucky to get a little Pinot from them over the years as their fruit was sought after by top Pinot winemakers from Oregon and California. This site produces silky, sexy, viscous Pinot Noir with rich, earthy bass tones.

Just this past month, I signed a long term lease securing all of the O'Brien's grapes after the current contracts expire. We are tending these vines now for Ken Wright, Fiddlehead, Bethel Heights and others.

We also have been lucky to secure a little Pinot from Dan's Freedom Hill Vineyard. His soil is ocean bottom that was pushed up millions of years ago when tectonic forces lifted Oregon out of the ocean. His Pinot is the most masculine and structured requiring more bottle aging.

I am looking forward to a warm spring and watching the vine's buds push during my daily walk through the vineyard.

Jim Bernau
Founder/President