Vineyards This wine was made exclusively with grapes grown in our Dundee Hills Estate vineyard. South facing, at an elevation of 525-730 ft, the site is ideal for the production of premium Pinot Noir. Truly in the heart of Oregon’s wine-country, Winter’s Hill is bordered to the East by Domaine Serene, to the South by Stoller Vineyards, and to the North by Vista Hills. The Jory soil, evolved from 15-million-year-old basalt flows, contributes the berry flavors and smokiness of our Pinot Noirs. The estate has been Certified Sustainable and Salmon Safe since 1999.

Vintage The latest in a string of exceptional vintages, 2015 began early, with the vines breaking dormancy in late March. The spring and summer that followed were hot and dry, bringing on an early harvest in the middle of September.

Winemaking All of our vineyards are harvested by hand, with the fruit quickly transported to the winery. As the fruit passes through the destemming equipment, it falls directly into the small bins that we use for fermentation. Each bin holds approximately 1.75 tons of fruit, which will create about 4 barrels of wine. These small batches of Pinot noir allow us to carefully monitor the wine, preserving the unique character from each section of the vineyard. Warm fermentation temperature and punching down the cap of grape skins by hand allow us to extract the color, tannin, and spice from the fruit. After pressing, the 2015 Dundee Hills Pinot noir was aged in French oak barrels to allow the natural development of its structure and flavors.

Tasting Notes Aromas of black cherry and pomegranate lead to spicy notes such as black licorice and a hint of vanilla from the barrels. On the palate, the wine has a full, rich structure with balanced acidity and tannins with no astringency. The tannins from the oak are well integrated with the wine. Spices such as cinnamon and cardamom appear on the finish. With excellent aging potential, enjoy this wine for the next 8-12 years.