What are some of the oldest vineyard sites in Willamette V?

WINE TALK
1

Just ran a google search, and a forum search, and wasn’t able to turn up much. My earlier question regarding Belle Pente got me wondering what vineyard sites were on the older side of things as far as Willamette Valley vineyard sites go. Let’s say 30+ years or so. Coming to mind immediately you have:

  • Maresh Vineyard
  • Eyrie
  • Abbey Ridge

What are some others?

2

Bethel Heights
Ponzi Estate
Ponzi Abetina
Adelsheim Quarter-Mile Lane
Chehalem Ridgecrest
Sokol-Blosser
Knudsen
Amity
Dion
Winderlea (formerly Goldschmidt)
David Hill (formerly Charles Coury)

I’m sure there are more, but not a lot.

3

I could be wrong, but didn’t David Lett plant the first vinifera vinyard?

4

Richard Sommers 1961. HillCrest Vineyard

5

1st and oldest in OR but not in WV.

Who was Willamette Valley Vineyards sourcing from in the early 80’s? Were they estate?

6

They didn’t make wine until 1989 as far as I can tell.

7

There’s a little drama going on right now on this very subject. Because Charles Coury’s vineyard was there, Forest Grove has adopted a new slogan, “Forest Grove: Where Oregon Pinot Was Born” and it’s raised some ire from, among other people, Jason Lett.

8

Geoff, Willamette Valley Vineyards’ estate vineyard was planted in 1983.

Other older vineyards that I can think of,
Weber (70s)
Ana (70s) (was part of Weber)
Hyland (70s)
Tualatin Estate (This may have been replanted) (1973)
Medici (1976)
Corral Creek (early 80s)
Rex Hill Estate (1983)
Adams (70s)
Oracle was originally planted in the 70s and resurrected by David and Amy at Westrey over the last decade

I’m sure there are others.

9

Wahle Vineyard (early '70s)
Durant Vineyard (mid/late '70s)
Did anyone mention Pavillon and Winderlea (originally the same Dundee Hills Vineyard planted in the 70s)
Arcus (formerly Archibald Vineyard-late 70s/early 80s if memory serves)

10

Good list, though I deliberately left off Corral Creek because it isn’t quite 30 years old yet - and that was Chris’ criterion.

Now that you mention Weber, what about Niedermeyer? I remember having a couple of outstanding Niedermeyers from, of all places, Erath.

11

Someone else who knows the original name of Winderlea! I had forgotten about Archibald. I’m pretty sure it was planted in the late 70s, along with everything else in the neighborhood.

12

Bob, I believe that is Niederberger you are referring to. If I recall correctly Niedermeyer was the ROTC cadet commander (and total douchebag) in Animal House.

13

[rofl.gif] I knew there was something not quite right with the name and it was nagging at me, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. I was thinking that the vineyard couldn’t have the same name as Doug Niedermeyer, but was too lazy to double check. Thanks! [welldone.gif]

14

Neidermeyer was very proud of his Pledge Pin Vineyard SVD.

15

Thank you, sir. May I have another?