Balance, harmony, nuance and transparency are the qualities we strive to cultivate in our wines. Minimal intervention is the guiding principle and the only way to bring out a true expression of both time and place. Winemaking is a craft that is both an art and a science. Following one’s own intuition and aesthetic while being mindful of certain underlying principles and past experiences. I’ve been growing and making wine in the Willamette Valley for over 25 years. For the past 18 years as the Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Colene Clemens Vineyards and previously to that as the Assistant Winemaker at Beaux Frères Vineyards. I approach all wine from a vineyard first perspective.
Understanding your vineyard sites and the impact of the growing season is critical to understanding how to handle your fruit in the winery. In the winemaking process numbers and analysis are a guide that must be considered in the context of the vintage. The same numbers from two different vintages often have different meaning and significance. There is never one formula or recipe. Our wines while able to be enjoyed young are built to last and when properly cellared will develop slowly over a long time. They will never be the same year after year but will show a consistency that is reflective of the places and seasons from which they were grown.
