Aromas of bright cherry, strawberry and rose petal with notes of black tea and licorice. Leading with bright red fruits and vanilla, the flavors are complex with hints of black pepper and barrel driven spices. With soft and supple tannins and brown sugar notes, this wine has a light and lingering finish.
About Van Duzer Vineyards
Proprietors Carl and Marilynn Thoma were among the first to choose the foothills at the mouth of the Van Duzer Corridor to create their family estate in 1998, intrigued by the potential of the microclimate and its ability to produce evocative Pinot Noir. Perched atop a knoll surrounded by vines on three sides, the site is situated in the gateway of the Corridor, a deep gap in the Oregon Coastal Range that draws brisk air from the Pacific Ocean into the Willamette Valley. The flagship estate’s 83.7 planted acres are in the direct path of marine winds, and benefit from the cooling gusts that moderate the temperatures over the vineyard, guaranteeing a long, beneficial growing season year after year.
The winery selected a zephyr, the gentle west wind of Greek mythology, as a symbol of the unique climate. According to Greek legend, zephyr and other wind gods were commanded by Aeolus, king of the winds, for which the Eola Hills wine region east of Van Duzer Vineyards is named. Van Duzer Vineyard’s goddess of the west wind, Zephyra, was brought to life by famed illustrator John Martinez. Best known for his fine arts posters depicting classical figures from works of Shakespeare and the opera, Martinez has also created dust covers for a wide range of book publishers. His work can be seen in the collections of the Library of Congress and Museum of Modern Art.
We cultivate six grape varietals – 14 different clones – across a variety of terrain and microclimates on the site of our flagship estate and throughout the Willamette Valley. The highest level of fruit quality is achieved through soil health, biodiversity in the vineyard and responsible canopy management. Diverse cover crops help stabilize the soil and replenish nutrients, benefitting the overall health of the vines. Micro-management of the vineyard means that the grapes are fully expressive of their terroir and clonal character. Emphasis on sustainability helps minimalize environmental impact and returns high quality, healthy fruit.
Irrigation is administered thoughtfully and sparingly, and sometimes not at all. On years when there is a need for added moisture, an advanced stress monitoring system is used to determine where to add water, and a precise amount is applied to the specific area. Since the vines get only what they need when they need it, the overall health of the vineyard has improved, making it more naturally resistant to pests and disease.
Van Duzer Vineyards is certified by LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology), an Oregon organization that evaluates vineyards and wineries against a rigorous set of international standards, as well as Salmon Safe and IOBC. We work diligently with the National Fish and Wildlife Association to help preserve the natural Oak Savanna on the east side of the property, pruning it naturally with a herd of sheep.
Aromas of bright cherry, strawberry and rose petal with notes of black tea and licorice. Leading with bright red fruits and vanilla, the flavors are complex with hints of black pepper and barrel driven spices. With soft and supple tannins and brown sugar notes, this wine has a light and lingering finish.
About Van Duzer Vineyards
Proprietors Carl and Marilynn Thoma were among the first to choose the foothills at the mouth of the Van Duzer Corridor to create their family estate in 1998, intrigued by the potential of the microclimate and its ability to produce evocative Pinot Noir. Perched atop a knoll surrounded by vines on three sides, the site is situated in the gateway of the Corridor, a deep gap in the Oregon Coastal Range that draws brisk air from the Pacific Ocean into the Willamette Valley. The flagship estate’s 83.7 planted acres are in the direct path of marine winds, and benefit from the cooling gusts that moderate the temperatures over the vineyard, guaranteeing a long, beneficial growing season year after year.
The winery selected a zephyr, the gentle west wind of Greek mythology, as a symbol of the unique climate. According to Greek legend, zephyr and other wind gods were commanded by Aeolus, king of the winds, for which the Eola Hills wine region east of Van Duzer Vineyards is named. Van Duzer Vineyard’s goddess of the west wind, Zephyra, was brought to life by famed illustrator John Martinez. Best known for his fine arts posters depicting classical figures from works of Shakespeare and the opera, Martinez has also created dust covers for a wide range of book publishers. His work can be seen in the collections of the Library of Congress and Museum of Modern Art.
We cultivate six grape varietals – 14 different clones – across a variety of terrain and microclimates on the site of our flagship estate and throughout the Willamette Valley. The highest level of fruit quality is achieved through soil health, biodiversity in the vineyard and responsible canopy management. Diverse cover crops help stabilize the soil and replenish nutrients, benefitting the overall health of the vines. Micro-management of the vineyard means that the grapes are fully expressive of their terroir and clonal character. Emphasis on sustainability helps minimalize environmental impact and returns high quality, healthy fruit.
Irrigation is administered thoughtfully and sparingly, and sometimes not at all. On years when there is a need for added moisture, an advanced stress monitoring system is used to determine where to add water, and a precise amount is applied to the specific area. Since the vines get only what they need when they need it, the overall health of the vineyard has improved, making it more naturally resistant to pests and disease.
Van Duzer Vineyards is certified by LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology), an Oregon organization that evaluates vineyards and wineries against a rigorous set of international standards, as well as Salmon Safe and IOBC. We work diligently with the National Fish and Wildlife Association to help preserve the natural Oak Savanna on the east side of the property, pruning it naturally with a herd of sheep.