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| The Vineyard |
photo by Brian Robb
| Subscribing to the adage that "Pinot Noir is farmed not made", vineyard care takes center stage in our wine production. Sustainable agricultural practices combined with careful management of the fruit yields on the vines leads to the noted intensity of our bottlings. "Hanging" less grapes adds labor and cost, but there are no shortcuts when the goal is the finest expression of a specific vineyard in the wine. Our first Pinot Noir vines were planted in 1989, and two years later we added a block of Dijon clone Chardonnay. Incrementally we expanded the vineyards and now they total 15 acres, with another 15 acres of planting projected to begin in 2007. In addition to our estate grown fruit, we enjoy long-term relationships with some of the most desirable vineyards throughout the Columbia Gorge AVA. |
| 2006 Harvest Report The 2006 harvest evolved into the most relaxed in over a decade for Phelps Creek. Typically we endure rain, wind and birds, sometimes in biblical proportions, as the vines ripen toward perfection. This season seemed almost too easy with all the estate grown grapes in tanks prior to the weather turning wet. The season progressed about two weeks earlier than 2005—beginning with a warm spring and three major bouts of summer heat. Even “Lucy”, our 1967 International Flatbed cooperated with no major road breakdowns to report. Ok, she did run out of gas once…but the tank was reportedly siphoned in a vacant parking lot….and Bob is sticking to the story! Fruit quality was excellent and because we thin so much (one cluster per shoot for pinot), the yields kept within our standard goal of 1.5 tons per acre. Less fruit on the vine translates to greater fruit intensity in the bottle! The Rebecca’s block of Pommard clone Pinot Noir developed beautifully—clusters were small and flavors intense. A new “beehive” block of 777 clone promises to add a layer of aromatic complexity to the estate Pinots. The 2006 vintage sees us almost doubling in production. We are especially excited about couple of new Columbia Gorge vineyards added to our stable. Jewitt Creek lays tucked back up Snowden Road outside of Bingen, WA. Don Larsen grows a beautiful block of Pinot Noir and we locked in the entire production. The fruit came off at 24 brix, tasting rich with lingering bright red fruit tones. We expect this vineyard to complement and expand our Becky’s Cuvee Pinot Noir. Thomas Woodward and Marlene Farnum raise perhaps the most glorious Gewürztraminer in the Pacific Northwest. Certified organic the Husum, WA vineyard sources two distinctive wines in our 2006 lineup. Next year anticipate an enchanting “dry” style Gewürztraminer and a hedonistic dessert wine made by drying the clusters prior to pressing. Now that the work in the field has ended, we turn our attention to the fermentors, tanks and barrels. Heading into the holiday season, there is plenty of work to be completed in the wineries before placing this vintage to bed. Next spring we look forward to sharing the first rewards of a very good year. |
| Copyright Phelps Creek Vineyards 1850 Country Club Road Hood River Oregon 97031 USA Telephone (541) 386-2607 Fax (541) 386-2607 email info@phelpscreekvineyards.com |
Harvest Report 2007
As the 2007 harvest crawls slowly to bed, I sit in my family room exhausted, but with a smile on my face,
satisfaction in my heart and of course a glass of Pinot within easy reach. We brought in over 75 tons of
excellent quality fruit this vintage, operating entirely within our own facility for the first time. The “crush”
was both crazy and satisfying. Any time you use new space to make wine, there is a process as you learn
how to use the building with efficiency and flow. By the time all the wine was bubbling in fermenters or
resting in barrels our crew of staff, friends and volunteers collectively celebrated something truly special—
our first vintage in our own winery!
The harvest provided challenges with rapidly changing weather. We watched the forecasts closely in terms
of rains and long-range patterns. It’s not unusual to endure brief rain in the end run to an Oregon harvest.
In fact, last year, 2006, was the only vintage in recent memory that the harvest completed prior to
October’s showers.
In the 2007 vintage, the rain really didn’t cause the greatest concern, rather it was the sudden departure of
heat. Some vineyards carrying heavy loads of fruit needed a little more warm weather to reach optimum
ripeness. Fortunately, our estate vineyards with their exceptionally low yields were in good position for
harvest as the weather declined.
We made the decision on October 6th that a harvest window was reached, and then scrambled to pull in as
much fruit as we could in the next four days. Picking crews were assembled and Lucy (our 8-ton
1967 vintage truck) rumbled into action! Looking back, the call to arms was well timed. Our fruit quality is
excellent and we expect
2007 to be viewed as an outstanding, as well as historic, vintage for Phelps Creek.
In addition to learning the ways of a new facility, a talented and exciting team of winemakers collaborated
together for the first time. Rich Cushman, with twenty-four Oregon vintages under his belt, heads our
winemaking operation. Rich was raised in Hood River and after graduating from OSU and then UC Davis,
made wines in the Willamette Valley, historic center of the Oregon industry. However, times are a-
changing! Wineries and vineyards sprout everywhere in the Columbia Gorge. Rich and his wife Robin
moved their empty nest back to Hood River just in time for our 2007 crush.
Joining Rich is Alexandrine Roy, a fourth generation French winemaker. Alexandrine controls winemaking at
her family’s Burgundian estate Domaine Marc Roy, situated in the legendary wine village Gevrey-
Chambertin. After a vineyard tour and lunch at Phelps Creek in July, prior to McMinnville’s International
Pinot Noir Celebration, I asked her to join us. Perhaps it was my seductive charms, or maybe Heather’s
outstanding lunch paired with nine wines on a picture perfect summer afternoon—the end result is a very
special relationship with our winery. Alexandrine is creating a special cuvée of Pinot Noir from our estate fruit
using traditional Burgundian techniques including punching down the cap “by foot.” In
2008 we look forward to the release of 2007 Alexandrine’s Cuvése alongside Rich’s 2007 Judith’s Reserve
Pinot Noir.
We hope the cusp of the holiday season finds you and your family in equally good spirits.
As the 2007 harvest crawls slowly to bed, I sit in my family room exhausted, but with a smile on my face,
satisfaction in my heart and of course a glass of Pinot within easy reach. We brought in over 75 tons of
excellent quality fruit this vintage, operating entirely within our own facility for the first time. The “crush”
was both crazy and satisfying. Any time you use new space to make wine, there is a process as you learn
how to use the building with efficiency and flow. By the time all the wine was bubbling in fermenters or
resting in barrels our crew of staff, friends and volunteers collectively celebrated something truly special—
our first vintage in our own winery!
The harvest provided challenges with rapidly changing weather. We watched the forecasts closely in terms
of rains and long-range patterns. It’s not unusual to endure brief rain in the end run to an Oregon harvest.
In fact, last year, 2006, was the only vintage in recent memory that the harvest completed prior to
October’s showers.
In the 2007 vintage, the rain really didn’t cause the greatest concern, rather it was the sudden departure of
heat. Some vineyards carrying heavy loads of fruit needed a little more warm weather to reach optimum
ripeness. Fortunately, our estate vineyards with their exceptionally low yields were in good position for
harvest as the weather declined.
We made the decision on October 6th that a harvest window was reached, and then scrambled to pull in as
much fruit as we could in the next four days. Picking crews were assembled and Lucy (our 8-ton
1967 vintage truck) rumbled into action! Looking back, the call to arms was well timed. Our fruit quality is
excellent and we expect
2007 to be viewed as an outstanding, as well as historic, vintage for Phelps Creek.
In addition to learning the ways of a new facility, a talented and exciting team of winemakers collaborated
together for the first time. Rich Cushman, with twenty-four Oregon vintages under his belt, heads our
winemaking operation. Rich was raised in Hood River and after graduating from OSU and then UC Davis,
made wines in the Willamette Valley, historic center of the Oregon industry. However, times are a-
changing! Wineries and vineyards sprout everywhere in the Columbia Gorge. Rich and his wife Robin
moved their empty nest back to Hood River just in time for our 2007 crush.
Joining Rich is Alexandrine Roy, a fourth generation French winemaker. Alexandrine controls winemaking at
her family’s Burgundian estate Domaine Marc Roy, situated in the legendary wine village Gevrey-
Chambertin. After a vineyard tour and lunch at Phelps Creek in July, prior to McMinnville’s International
Pinot Noir Celebration, I asked her to join us. Perhaps it was my seductive charms, or maybe Heather’s
outstanding lunch paired with nine wines on a picture perfect summer afternoon—the end result is a very
special relationship with our winery. Alexandrine is creating a special cuvée of Pinot Noir from our estate fruit
using traditional Burgundian techniques including punching down the cap “by foot.” In
2008 we look forward to the release of 2007 Alexandrine’s Cuvése alongside Rich’s 2007 Judith’s Reserve
Pinot Noir.
We hope the cusp of the holiday season finds you and your family in equally good spirits.