January 25, 2012
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Winderlea Vineyard & Winery
| Owner(s) | Donna Morris, Bill Sweat |
| Web site | www.winderlea.com |
| Link to this site |
The Winderlea (Win-dur-lee) Vineyard was formerly known as the Dundee Hills Vineyard when it was first planted in 1974 by John and Sally Bauers. It was rechristened Goldschmidt Vineyard after the former Oregon governor who purchased the property in 1998. Located in the heart of the Dundee Hills adjacent to a portion of Maresh vineyard and across the street from Le Pavillon Vineyard along Worden Hill Road, this 16.5-acre vineyard has supplied grapes to some of the Willamette Valley’s most prominent wineries including Dusky Goose, Patricia Green Cellars, Penner-Ash, R. Stuart & Co., and Adelsheim Vineyard.
In 2006, Bill Sweat and Donna Morris left the East Coast for Oregon and the next year bought the Goldschmidt Vineyard, renaming it Winderlea Vineyard. The name Winderlea is derived from a Vermont property the couple owned and is a German word loosely translated as “valley protected from the wind.” The husband and wife team developed a passion for Burgundies in the 1990s and found Oregon Pinot Noir was the next best thing. They brought on Robert Brittan, the winemaker at Stags Leap Winery for 16 years, to assist Bill and direct the new Pinot Noir program. Brittan himself bought 128 acres in the Willamette Valley, and plans to craft Pinot Noir and Syrah under his own label, Brittan Vineyards.
A stunning metal and glass tasting room and winery was built and positioned to take advantage of panoramic views of the Dundee Hills and the Willamette Valley to the East. The tasting room is environmentally friendly employing many passive energy management techniques including solar hot water and solar panels for much of their energy needs.
In 2008, Winderlea Vineyard earned LIVE and Salmon Safe certifications and in 2009 they began employing biodynamic practices to augment the existing organic farming methods.
For the full story on Winderlea Vineyard, consult the excellent article written by Jean Yates, proprietor of Avalon Wine, a top source for Oregon Pinot Noir: “Winderlea Vineyard. A Diamond in Oregon Wine’s ‘Gold Coast,’ “ at www.avalonwine.com/Winderlea-Vineyard.php.
The inaugural releases of Winderlea Pinot Noir were in 2006. Total production was tiny (a total of 575 cases) but will increase in the future as the owners retain more of their own fruit (according to Jean Yates, only Dusky Goose and Penner Ash Wine Cellars will still receive grapes after the 2006 vintage). These two wines are very impressive and this is a producer to latch on to for the future.
Winderlea Vineyard & Winery (officially Winderlea Wine Co.) Pinot Noirs are available from the website and from Avalon Wine in Corvallis. The tasting room offers panoramic views of the Dundee Hills, and is open Memorial Day through Thanksgiving Weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11-4. All tasting fees are donated to Salud which provides health care to seasonal vineyard workers. 503-554-5900.
Articles About Winderlea Vineyard & Winery
Reviewed Wines
2008 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Dundee Hills Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $36.
·
Moderate
reddish-purple color in the glass. Alluring aromatics displaying scents of black cherries, violets and a hint of
oak spice picking up intensity over time in the glass. A fruity wine with a tasty core of cherry and berry fruit
accented by oak-driven flavors of anise, vanillin and smoke. A good snap of acidity brings up the refreshing
finish. The most approachable of the three 2008 Winderlea wines. Still fine two days later from a previously
opened and re-corked bottle indicating it will last in the cellar. Good (+).
Reviewed May 15, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Ana Vineyard Dundee Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $50. Own-rooted vines planted in 1976 on a 350’ to
450‘ ridge. Pommard and 777 clones. Owned and farmed by Andy Humphrey.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed mix of berries
with a strong scent of oak. Tasty core of red strawberries and raspberries and
chocolate-covered cherries with an underpinning of oak char that fans out on the
palate. Still a bit rough hewed and tannic, but offers some charming fruit that has
good persistence. Should improve in the cellar as the tannins meld and the oak
integrates further. Very good.
Reviewed May 15, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Winderlea Vineyard Dundee Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., $53.
From a 20-acre estate vineyard planted in 1974 (formerly Goldschmidt Vineyard). 480 foot elevation,
southwest exposure, Jory soils.
·
Moderately light reddish-purple in the glass. Shy dark red fruit aromas with
hints of baking spice, dried herbs and oak. Delicate flavors of red cherries, cranberries and red currants
finishing with a hint of oak, green herbs, spice and grapefruit peel. A bit shallow on the mid palate and finish,
leaving you wanting more. Soft and silky in the mouth with a lively grip of acidity. Picks up some charm over
time in the glass. Still holding its own two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Tasted
twice with consistent results. Good (+).
Reviewed May 15, 2011
ARTICLE »
2006 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Dundee Hills Inaugural Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2%alc., $50. Sourced from the Ana and
Weber vineyards which are located next to Winderlea. These two
vineyards are among the oldest self-rooted Pinot Noir vines in Oregon
dating back to 1976. The clones are primarily Pommard and 777.
·
Lovely
aromatics featuring ripe and deep red fruits that are nicely spiced with a
touch of pear and rose petal. Deep cherry flavors accented with notes of
cocoa and pear. Very smooth and stylish with soft tannins.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Goldschmidt Vineyard Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., $50. Labeled Goldschmidt Vineyard because the vineyard
was still owned by Neil Goldschmidt in 2006. Clones 115, 667 and 777.
·
Heavily perfumed with deep, dark
fruit, toast, and wild flowers. Dark red berries and cherries carry the theme with a subtle note of graham and
oak, displaying a notable velveteen texture and a slight tart citric note on the pleasing finish.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2008 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Dundee Hills Vineyards Oregon Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $36. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Alluring aromatics displaying scents of black cherries, violets and a hint of oak spice picking up intensity over time in the glass. A fruity wine with a tasty core of cherry and berry fruit accented by oak-driven flavors of anise, vanillin and smoke. A good snap of acidity brings up the refreshing finish. The most approachable of the three 2008 Winderlea wines. Still fine two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle indicating it will last in the cellar. Good (+). Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Ana Vineyard Dundee Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $50. Own-rooted vines planted in 1976 on a 350’ to 450‘ ridge. Pommard and 777 clones. Owned and farmed by Andy Humphrey. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Nicely perfumed mix of berries with a strong scent of oak. Tasty core of red strawberries and raspberries and chocolate-covered cherries with an underpinning of oak char that fans out on the palate. Still a bit rough hewed and tannic, but offers some charming fruit that has good persistence. Should improve in the cellar as the tannins meld and the oak integrates further. Very good. Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Winderlea Vineyard Dundee Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., $53. From a 20-acre estate vineyard planted in 1974 (formerly Goldschmidt Vineyard). 480 foot elevation, southwest exposure, Jory soils. · Moderately light reddish-purple in the glass. Shy dark red fruit aromas with hints of baking spice, dried herbs and oak. Delicate flavors of red cherries, cranberries and red currants finishing with a hint of oak, green herbs, spice and grapefruit peel. A bit shallow on the mid palate and finish, leaving you wanting more. Soft and silky in the mouth with a lively grip of acidity. Picks up some charm over time in the glass. Still holding its own two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Tasted twice with consistent results. Good (+). Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »
2006 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Dundee Hills Inaugural Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2%alc., $50. Sourced from the Ana and Weber vineyards which are located next to Winderlea. These two vineyards are among the oldest self-rooted Pinot Noir vines in Oregon dating back to 1976. The clones are primarily Pommard and 777. · Lovely aromatics featuring ripe and deep red fruits that are nicely spiced with a touch of pear and rose petal. Deep cherry flavors accented with notes of cocoa and pear. Very smooth and stylish with soft tannins. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Winderlea Vineyard & Winery Goldschmidt Vineyard Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., $50. Labeled Goldschmidt Vineyard because the vineyard was still owned by Neil Goldschmidt in 2006. Clones 115, 667 and 777. · Heavily perfumed with deep, dark fruit, toast, and wild flowers. Dark red berries and cherries carry the theme with a subtle note of graham and oak, displaying a notable velveteen texture and a slight tart citric note on the pleasing finish. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
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