Roads End Pinot Noir
from Carlton Cellars
Carlton Cellars, established in 2001, is a joint
venture of the Grooters and Russell families. The wine is made by Ken
Wright, of Ken Wright Cellars.
Dave Grooters has been a part of the Oregon food
and wine industry since 1977, when his friend Nick Peirano opened Nick's
Cafe in McMinnville. Dave has worked for Ken Wrightr as a vineyard
manager, and has joined him in developing a new vineyard in Carlton. Roads End is a scenic point on the cool Oregon
Coast, just north of Lincoln City. The massive volcanic formation slopes
down to a quiet sandy beach of paths, coves, and tide pools. Offshore,
remnants of lava form small, striking islands where gulls and cormorants
rest above the waves. The point protects a headland of sedimentary
rock that stands out in starck relief against the color and texture
of the volcanic front.
The Roads End blend expresses the convergence
of these soils and the cool Oregon climate delivered by the Northern
Pacific weather. To the winery, the Roads End nam also reflects the
feeling one has at the end of a long day, with good friends and a wonderful
glass of Pinot noir.
Vineyards and Terroir
About 500 cases of a blended
Pinot noir have been made each of the three vintages, with the 2003
Pinot being
released
in early 2005. The wine is a blend from vineyards that Ken Wright
uses to make single vineyard Pinots: Nysa Vineyard, Carter Vineyard,
and
McCrone Vineyard.
The Roads End Label
The label is a detail from an oil painting done
by Robert Beckman in 2001, after visiting Roads End on a typically
cool and overcast day. Beckman is a prominent artist from Las Vegas,
and is a friend of the owner of Carlton Cellars.
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