Location & Elevation

Just south of Salem, Oregon, the vineyard faces southwest, looking toward the Coastal Range.  Elevations of 250-500 feet along with warm breezes from the west give consistent bud breaks in the first week of April.  

Lower Chard block

The Lower Vineyard

The lower vineyard is tucked into a hillside leading up the property offering a view of the property's historic barn and pastures. The lower vineyard is also overlooked by a shaded  oak grove which will serve as the home of our future tasting room.   Visitors will be able to enjoy expansisve views of the valley under the pleasant shade of our historic oaks.

The lower vineyard has three Chardonnay blocks featuring Dijon clones 76, 95, 96 and 548. 

The lower vineyard is also expanding! November of 2020, a small 3/4 acre block of Sauv Blanc was planted.  New blocks of Syrah, Gamay Noir, Gruner Veltliner, and Viognier blocks will be planted  this Fall.

Fall Upper vineyard yellows

Early Chard block, lower vineyard

Soils

State soil maps list two soil types in La Chouette vineyard, Steiwer and Chehulpum Silt Loams.  The soil is quite vigorous and fertile with 2- 3 feet of top soil before finding sedimentary soils with plant and shell fossils.  The lower vineyard additionally has some harder rocky areas.

Upper Vineyard, Pinot, and Estate House

Planting Sauv Blanc in lower vineyard, Nov 2020 

The Upper Vineyard

The upper vineyard offers an expansive view of the property below and the valley and coast range beyond. Nestled throughout the upper block are our beloved oaks. 

The upper vineyard is home to our Pinot Noir block with 115, 777 and Pommard clones as well as our Pinot Gris block featuring FPS 04

Twilight pinot harvest

Vineyard Management

We farm all of the vineyard in a conventional model using Live Certified sprays that are safe for the environment and wine production.  These practices are also used to promote health in our farm animals and make our farm and vineyards sustainable.