Winemaker Notes
As the first commercial grower of Dijon Clones Chardonnay in the U.S., Argyle has been on the leading edge of a Chardonnay revolution in Oregon since 1987. Argyle Chardonnay is grown on high density vineyard blocks planted with devigorated root stocks.
Food Pairing Notes
It’s early in its lifespan, but Spirit Hill is beginning to display a combination of attributes we’ve come to know at our other vineyards in the Dundee and Eola-Amity Hills…call it the best of both worlds.
Vineyard Notes
The 2017 growing season began with a relatively cool and wet spring in comparison to 2014-2016, leading to more normal timing of bud break at the end of April. May was fairly cool with a few blips of heat which lead to a moderately later bloom in mid to late June, depending on elevation. Both cluster size and quantity was larger than 2016 so heavy crop-thinning was in order to produce balanced wines. August was very warm but turned cool in September, which allowed the fruit to hang and gain aromatic complexity. Harvest started with Chardonnay at Lone Star Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills on September 8th and finished with Pinot Noir in the upper elevations of the Eola-Amity Hills at Spirit Hill Vineyard on October 14th.
