Adelsheim Vineyard, a leading
Oregon wine producer, is known as an innovator in sustainable, cool
climate viticulture.
Their estate acreage has grown
from its original 15 acres to 160 acres. A new, cutting-edge winemaking
facility provides all the quality controls demanded by their 'hands-off'
winemaking, utilizing a two-level, gravity-feed fermentation room for
gentle grape handling, and underground barrel caves for slow, cool
aging of our Pinot noir and Chardonnay.
After 30 years and many successful
vintages, the dreams of one of Oregon's wine pioneers have been realized.
More importantly, Adelsheim Vineyard has people with the vision, skills
and energy to carry them upward in their quest to produce ever more
complex Pinot noirs and elegant white wines.
1971, Adelsheim Vineyard was founded
Five hundred feet below, Oregon's north Willamette
Valley stretched out in a patchwork of orchards, pasture and native trees.
The field, rich with clay-loam soil, had a gentle southern exposure and
was sheltered by the Chehalem Mountains. The Adelsheims had dreamed of
planting a vineyard in the area since returning from a summer in Europe,
where they were inspired by the hand-made foods and wines they encountered.
1972, planting began
In 1972, the Adelsheims began planting their original
15-acre vineyard at Quarter Mile Lane with Pinot noir, Chardonnnay, Pinot
gris, and Riesling.
Relying on family and friends for assistance, they
battled weeds, mildew, birds and deer -- and the widely perceived futility
of growing wine grapes in northern Oregon's cooler climate.
1978, first commercial
release
of 1,300 cases
Working in a cramped basement winery with a simple
crusher and press, and 20 Burgundy barrels, David Adelsheim made the
first 1,300 cases of wine for commercial release in 1978: tiny quantities
of Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Riesling from the estate vineyard were
produced, along with Semillon and Merlot from purchased grapes. As the
Quarter Mile Lane vineyard matured to full yield and grapes were purchased
from other growers, annual production doubled every two years.
1982,
a new winery
As Adelsheim Vineyard continued to grow, the need
for a new production facility became critical. A 6000 square-foot winery
adjacent to the Adelsheim's home was built in 1982. Barrels, tanks, a
bottling line and still more barrels were added until the new winery
was also filled to capacity.
1989, first vineyard
expansion
The winery's first vineyard expansion was in 1989,
when they leased a 19-acre site across the road from the original estate
vineyard at Quarter Mile Lane. Today, Bryan Creek Vineyard is an important
source of Pinot noir, Pinot gris, and Pinot blanc.
They also purchased a 52-acre site at a lower elevation
in the Chehalem Valley. Planted with Pinot gris and Burgundian clones
of Pinot noir and Chardonnnay, the Calkins Lane Vineyard is also home
to the new Adelsheim Vineyard winery.
1994, co-owners join Adelsheim Vineyard
Co-owners Jack and Lynn Loacker joined Adelsheim
Vineyard in 1994, and began planting Ribbon Springs Vineyard in 1995.
This exceptional 120-acre site on the Ribbon Ridge spur of the Chehalem
Mountains has provided Pinot noir and Pinot gris grapes since 1998.
2002, the vision continues ...
Today, Oregon has been recognized as one of the
New World's leading wine producing regions. At Adelsheim Vineyard, they
continue the experimentation and systematic study that have established
their reputation as a leader and innovator in cool climate viticulture.
With a dedicated staff, exceptional vineyards and a cutting-edge winery,
they continue the quest to produce world-class Pinot noir, Pinot gris,
Chardonnay and Pinot blanc.
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