Adam Campbell leads Elk Cove
into the 21st Century
by Cole Danehower
As a businessman, Adam Godlee Campbell can talk as pragmatically as you
like about market share, distribution pipelines, and production capacity.
But as a winemaker, Adam can also talk as mystically about wine as the
most romantic idealist.
"I think the more you care about the wines in your cellar," he
comments, "the better they become. Not just because of the little
practical things you do to take care of them, but also because you're thinking
about them all the time. There is something about giving them constant
attention-the wines that I go back and taste and then taste again, somehow
those are the wines that become the stars of the cellar."
Adam is in the forefront of a new generation of Oregon winemakers: men
and women who are taking over the successful wineries built by their parents.
They have a special challenge to balance a heritage of great winemaking
with the running of a successful long-term business.
Hand off to a New Generation
"It is important for me to be cautious," says Adam about managing
Elk Cove Vineyards, "because this is my parents' entire retirement,
plus it has to support my family as well."
And yet . . . there is an emotional component to Elk Cove that is always
present for Adam.
"Making wine in general-and making Pinot noir in particular-is such
a personal thing," he explains. "I think what guides my style
is having grown up on the property and having been involved in a family
business from the very beginning. I was very young when my parents were
dreaming all this up, but every night at dinner we'd talk collectively
about it."
That kind of perspective makes the business of Elk Cove very personal. "The
first vineyard I bought in 1995 was land I rode past on the school bus
every day as a kid," he says. "Sometimes I discount that as not
being very important, but when you think about it, that is quite a perspective
as I make our wines."
Elk Cove Rose 06 praised in The Oregonian: ""But when a pinot noir ros? is successful, it's one of the most rewarding ros?s you can drink. Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston seems to have the knack. This 2 ...read more
Softer and more accessible than the 2005, with bright red fruit and a meaty edge that adds complexity without overwhelming. Herbal accents in the red fruit flavors - red raspberry, red cherry, and re ...read more
Very small amount made of their highest end Pinot noir. ...read more
2006 due in March, 2007.
Always one of the best Pinot gris in Oregon. Big tropical fruit and melon inn the nose. Tons of delicious fruit--bright pineapple, mango, peach, tangerine, and grapef ...read more
Rex Hill's popular and refreshing Riesling is fruity and finishes clean and crisp. ...read more
Wine Spectator 90 points: "Smooth and round, with a peppery note swirling around the Syrah-like blackberry flavors, lingering on the refined finish. Drink now through 2010." - H.S.
...read more >>
Concentrated flavors, elegance, and an uplifting natural acidity make this a lovely example of Adam Campbell's winemaking. Black cherry, asian spices, and berry fruit flavors finish long and a bit sm ...read more >>
Elk Cove makes a special blend of differently sourced Pinot noirs for this wine. ...read more >>
60% Riesling, 32% Gewurztraminer and 8% Muscat. While Riesling supplies the weight of this wine with fresh pear, apricot and honey notes the Gewurztraminer and Muscat add spiciness and aromatics, r
...read more
Wine Advocate 91 points: "...bursts rom the glass with spiced black cherry aromas. Medium to full-bodied, it has outstanding depth of fruit, harmony, and balance. This black cherry, Asian spice, and b ...read more >>
Elk Cove's most complex Pinot, the La Boheme 04 is similar to the last 5-6 vintages of this famed wine, according to the winery. The nose is full of dark cherry and raspberry, entwined arounda core ...read more >>
Second label for Elk Cove. Good value. ...read more >>
Good value, unusual varietal, second label for Elk Cove ...read more
