Spindrift Cellars

Matt and Tabitha Compton own and operate Spindrift Cellars in Philomath, Oregon, just down the road from Avalon Wine. They started producing wine in 2003 for several private labels and launched Spindrift Cellars Wines in 2006, calling their company Small World Wine. Matt has hosted several new wineries at the facility, who use the equipment for their first vintages and draw on his expertise.

In addition to handling winemaking duties at Spindrift, Matt is a vineyard management expert who operates his own vineyard management company, West Vine Farms. He currently manages over 250 acres of vineyards for a variety of owners in the Southern Willamette Valley. Matt has a growing reputation for his skills. Several of the vineyards he manages have been transformed by his expertise - producing wonderful grapes and making outstanding wine, mostly for Matt's Spindrift label.

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More About Spindrift Cellars

The Comptons place a priority on sustainable agricultural practices. Their wines are made from grapes grown in vineyards near the Philomath area, most of which are certified Sustainable and Salmon Safe, or transitional to that status. They were among the first winemakers in Oregon to use screwcap closures on all of their wines, believing that cork is not a sustainable crop for the wine industry in the long term.

Spindrift Cellars makes Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay and strives to preserve and express the varietal characteristics of the grapes in the finished product. The wines highlight the complex terrior unique to the Willamette Valley.

While pleasant and easy drinking, the Spindrift wines also pair well with food, and have balanced, uplifting acidity to complement fine foods.

Vineyards Key to Matt's Winemaking Philosophy

The vineyards are the most important ingredient to Spindrift Cellar’s Wines. The majority of the winery's vineyards are managed by Matt Compton. The vineyards he manages are Certified Sustainable by LIVE and Salmon Safe (or in transition) and meet good agricultural practices recognized by international standards. Matt has over 10 years of vineyard management experience in the Central Willamette Valley and has spent the majority of his life in agriculture.

Deer Haven Vineyard
Owned by Tim and Elisabeth Myers and located in Philomath the vineyard was planted in 1997 and 1998 to 2 acres of Pinot Noir (DJN 115 on 5C rootstock), 5 acres of Pinot Gris and 1 acre of Pinot Blanc. Matt provided management service to Deer Haven starting in 2001, the vineyard is one of our favorite, producing fruit that ripen slowly with its flat aspect which helps retain acidity and develop great flavors during slow fall ripening.

Rainbows End Vineyard
Owned by Al and Arlene Looney along with David Looney, the vineyard is located a few miles west of Monroe. There are 12 acres of Pinot Noir (Pommard and Wadensville) with plantings started in 1993 along with a half an acre of Pinot Gris.

Irish Bend Vineyard
This unique vineyard location is owned by Aron and Frank Frasier who purchased an old one room school house in the community of Irish Bend. In 1999 Frank and Aron planted 2 acres of own rooted Pommard Pinot Noir in the old school yard, this ground has never been farmed and is situated on a gravel bar within the valley floor. The fruit off this vineyard produces wonderful elegant wines that are bright with spice and red fruit flavors and very fine tannins. The vineyard is managed by Frank and Aron along with assistance from our vineyard management service.