|
|
Argyle Winery |
 |
|
|
Argyle Winery produces still and sparkling wines in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Their wines have received numerous 90+ point ratings from publications all over the world, and our customers prize these reasonably priced, delicious wines. Argyle Winery's sparkling wines are classically made and dry, with exquisite flavors. The Extended tirage, released almost a decade after production, has a devoted following among Oregonians. Owned by Petaluma Winery of Australia, Argyle was founded in 1987 by Australia's Brian Croser and winemaker Rollin Soles, and purchased by Petaluma in 1990. The winery has a popular tasting room on 99W in Dundee and owns 250 acres of vineyards, managed by Allen Holstein (Granville). Nuthouse Vineyard is named because it used to be a hazelnut orchard, Spirithouse Vineyard is so named because it is rumored to be haunted.
Do great views ensure great wines? At Lone Star Vineyard the vines are treated to a sweeping view of the Cascades, from Mt. Rainier in the north to the Three Sisters to the south. While the view is stunning, this low elevation, warm site is a magnet for the two forces crucial for ripening grapes: light and heat. As the first light of day peaks over the Cascade range, Lone Star Vineyard begins absorbing the full power of the sun. Located 15 miles south of Dundee in the Eola Hills, this 116 acre site, purchased by Argyle in 1996, is oriented to maximize the sun's light and heat.
Argyle Wines
|
Argyle's
prime vineyard source is the 120 acre Knudsen Vineyard, located in
the heart of the red hills of Dundee.
Half the vineyard was planted in the early '70s. These "historic" vines
produce distinctive wines with ripe fruit flavors and earthy, spicy
old vine character. The other, "younger" half of the vineyard
features state-of-the-art viticulture: Old World clones planted in
high density blocks on warm sites. Pinot fruit from these blocks offers
up unique aromas of black cherry leading into ripe raspberry concentrate.
Argyle's finest sparkling wine fruit is grown in Knudsen's high-elevation blocks (above 700 feet) where ripening occurs at the end of the growing
season.
Stoller Vineyard is also a source for grapes
for Argyle. Old-timers claim this low elevation site in the Dundee
Hills harvested the first crop of clover for Dundee Hill Farms. Its
long history as a farm (they even raised turkeys here once) bodes well
for the site's grape growing potential. Eighty acres big (with room
to expand) Stoller offers southern exposure and a great view of the
Eola Hills and Argyle's Lone Star Vineyard. The red-colored Jory soils
here have grown some of Oregon's finest Pinots. Owned by Bill and Kathy
Stoller, the vineyard is managed by Argyle's crack team of viticulturists.
