Evening Land Vineyards, Salem Wine Co Pinot Noir 2018

The Salem Wine Co. Pinot Noir is sourced from 3 vineyards within the AVA of Eola-Amity Hills. Beginning with our biodynamically farmed Seven Springs estate vineyard, the blend is augmented with fruit from Eola Springs and Rocky Hill, two neighboring sites in the appellation. All 3 sites are dry-farmed in volcanic soils. The Salem Wine Co. Pinot Noir was crafted to be approachable in its youth. The wine is an authentic representation of the Eola-Amity Hills with minimal sulfur and no new cooperage employed.

The Willamette Valley in Oregon is often compared to Burgundy, for the challenging growing conditions, varietals planted, and the quality-minded smaller scale producers that have chosen to work here. It is therefore not surprising that super sommelier Raj Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman, who bonded over their love for elegant European wines, decided to base their second joint venture here. Evening Land is based around a special vineyard in Seven Springs in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA just north of Salem. The vineyard was established in 1984 under the direction of Burgundian legend Dominique Lafon. Just like in Burgundy terroir is key to this project - the different cuvees are all clearly defined despite coming from the same vineyard, and the soil and aspect of each parcel shines through. The east-facing site was mainly planted with Pinot Noir, plus some Chardonnay and Gamay, and ripening is moderated by cool air from the Pacific channeled via an opening in the Oregon Coastal Range. The vineyard is dry farmed following LIVE sustainability methods, and since 2007 it has been managed biodynamically.