Driving home to northern California from a visit with my daughter in Portland gave me the opportunity to stop and visit at a vineyard and winery that have intrigued me. One of the best 2008 Oregon pinot noirs I have tasted was St Innocent’s Momtazi vineyard, and since then I’ve had several wines from the vineyard and from the Maysara winery itself. I wanted to see a working bio-dynamically farmed vineyard, and compare it to other vineyards I’m more familiar with.
Arriving about 10 am (without benefit of an appointment because I wasn’t sure when I was leaving Portland), I arrived at the aptly named Muddy Valley Rd winery. The area is very rural, hilly, forested, and quite beautiful. There is a large pond along the driveway which leads to the small current winery and tasting room. I was greeted by Naseem Momtazi, one of the three Momtazi sisters involved in the winery, who quite graciously allowed me free reign in walking the property and taking pictures.
My first impressions were 1) there is a lot of water on this 500+ acre site (260 acres in vineyard I think), and 2) this is a huge amount of vineyard.
I walked up the very steep hillside about halfway and took photos of the vineyard labeling, and a shot of the new winery being constructed from materials made onsite. The new winery is quite impressive. Old barrel staves are being reused in the interior of the building and trees from the property are being used its construction. It also looks like local stone is being used. (Click on photos for expansion)
I did get to meet Moe Momtazi, the winery and vineyard owner. He was quite welcoming, self-effacing, and someone with enormous energy and vision.
Anne, a winery employee was quite helpful as I toured the winery. All in all the place was one of enormous beauty, serenity, and with lots going on all at the same time. I did not get to talk with winemaker Tahmiene Momtazi about the bio-dynamic side of things and her winemaking philosophy, but I hope to do so in the future. This is a vineyard and winery I will be watching.
No juice tasting at the winery on that day for me, S L, but I’ve a collection of their wines in my cellar, and others I’ve enjoyed over the years. It was a bit early for tasting while I was there; all I would be thinking about is coffee taste.
This spring–er, extended winter–in the Willamette Valley has been remarkably wet and cold, even by Oregon standards. You’ll have trouble going anywhere in the valley without finding a lot of water on it.
I live just south of the Oregon/California border DurstinS and I agree with your characterization of the season! Thanks for pointing this out. It has been wet, wet, wet since the beginning of February. I’m certainly tired of the rain and know that the vineyard people are too.
I’ve had Momtazi vineyard wines from a number of wineries now, but only a couple Maysara wines.
Last year, my neighborhood italian joint (Picolinos for you locals - I know, it’s only so-so) had 2007 Maysara Jamsheed on their list for $35 I think it was. Thought it was really a nice value for that price - the italian list was not that great.
Then there was that Garagiste offer last month for the 05 Maysara Delara. I bought a few and hopefully i’m picking it up this weekend. I’m guessing Todd Hamina made this wine??
Yucky weather, Linda. When I was at the winery I noticed the ridge nearby thought about the beauty of the scene- sorry about the snow. I hope all this precip ends soon. Are you near the vineyard I saw a sign for, Coeur something?
One of the great times in my early days in the Oregon wine community was touring Momtazi on the back of a four-wheeler with Moe driving. It is a wild vineyard and quite steep in some places! Moe and his family are highly respected in the wine community here.
Having been to Linda’s house, I can say with a great deal of confidence that she’s not near anything, especially a vineyard - except the one on her own property, of course.
I made the 05’s and 06’s start to finish, and finished the 04’s. You should remember better Bob, you did punch downs and some traditional pigeage in 05! It’s a big vineyard with D,E,H,I and BA blocks being particularly nice.
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