Hyland Vineyard

I have written extensively about the mystery of the origin of the “Coury clone,” that was widely planted in the Willamette Valley in the 1970s using cuttings supplied by Charles Coury. Hyland Vineyard has the largest planting of own-rooted Coury clone Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley, so when I received an invitation to visit, I eagerly accepted.

Hyland Vineyard is planted on land that dates to the late 1840s when the land was initially part of the original Oregon Trail homestead claimed by Benjamin Hyland. A hundred and thirty years later, this land became the home of Hyland Vineyard when four families the Kreimeyers, Markleys, Welches and Trenhailes) teamed up in 1971 to plant Pinot Noir on the now 200-acre estate that has 180 acres under vine making it one of Oregon’s oldest and largest vineyards.

The land was chosen for wine grapes because of its temperate climate. Located at 600-850 feet elevation in the foothills of the Oregon Coastal Range, temperatures here tend to be cooler than in the rest of the Willamette Valley, making it ideal for Pinot Noir. Soils are uniformly Jory throughout the vineyard. The vineyard is located in the McMinnville AVA. The photo below shows the iron rich red Jory soils and the old Coury clone vines.

One-third of Hyland Vineyard is planted with the Coury clone, a suitcase selection said to have been smuggled into the United States by Charles Coury in his suitcase from Colmar, France, in the mid 1960s. For a detailed historical perspective, visit, www.princeofpinot.com/article/1214/, “Solving the Mystery of the “Coury Clone.”

The photo below shows the small cluster size of Coury clone Pinot Noir, and the second photo shows a typical Cory clone vine.

For decades, many producers have crafted award-winning wines from Hyland Vineyard and bottled under their own labels. In 2007, Hyland Vineyard was bought by winemaker Laurent Montalieu and his spouse Danielle Andrus Montalieu in partnership with John Niemeyer. After the purchase, the vineyard was expanded to 200 acres. A majority of the fruit has been sold to Penner-Ash, Bergstrom and Beaux Freres wineries. In 2011, the first wines from Hyland Estates Winery were released, continuing the legacy that was started in 1971.

Besides the Coury clone, Pinot Noir clones planted at Hyland Vineyard include Pommard, Wädenswil, and Dijon 777, “828,” 113, 114, 667, and 115. The original Coury clone, Pommard and Wädenswil clones plantings are own-rooted, while newer plantings were added in 1989. Chardonnay plantings include 108 and Dijon 95, as well as a small amount of Riesling and Gewürtztraminer. A map of the vineyard is included below.

Hyland Estates currently bottles all varieties grown in the vineyard. An Estate Pinot Noir, Coury Pinot Noir and Founder’s Selection Pinot Noir are produced. There are very few Oregon wineries that bottle a Coury clone designated Pinot Noir.

The wines, crafted by Laurent Montelieu, are outstanding. Tasting is available at the Hyland Estates Tasting Room located at 20980 NE Niederberger Rd, Dundee that is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Visit www.hylandestates.com.