Raptor Ridge
Find out how Scott Shull went from home winemaker (two carboys in a sheep shed) to producing elegant, high-quality Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. Visit with Scott as he takes us out to the vineyard and gives us a great overview of this cool climate growing season, as well as the importance of creating balance on the vine. He explains his unique blending method, and the intricacies involved in managing about 300 barrels each year to create a portfolio of wines that reflect both the vintage and site.
The vineyard site, once a cherry orchard, slopes east-southeast with sweeping views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams—and on a very clear day, even Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier. A year was spent digging out over 2000 cherry trees, ripping and cross ripping the soils to remove ancient cherry roots.
Elevations range from 250 to 498 feet on our Loess-based Laurelwood soils with Jory underlayment. In other words, a windblown powdery volcanic soil that was left behind by retreating Ice Age glaciers 12-15,000 years ago (AKA Missoula Floods) covering the volcanic Jory under-soil. It drains quickly and erodes easily, requiring careful vineyard management.
The flavor profile of pinot noirs grown in the best-known Willamette Valley loess, Laurelwood, is bright red fruit with notes of earth and white pepper.
Raptor Ridge's estate Pinot noir is noted for its silky texture, fine-grained tannins, Italian plum, cherry, black pepper and mineral notes.
Raptor Ridge stays true to its name. The Tuscowallame vineyard, their estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountain AVA, supports numerous varieties of hawks and even peregrine falcons. Tuscowallame is also an indigenous word meaning "place where the owls dwell"-fitting because barn owls and great horned owls are regulars. The Vineyard is an 18-acre site planted to predominantly Pinot Noir. They offer Pinot Noir, Rosé, Chardonnay, Auxerrois (pronounced aux-er-wah), Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner (gruner-veltleener) and Tempranillo (tem-pra-neo).
As you taste through an educational exploration of their wines, discover your own definition of the term “Willamette Valley terroir.” Within the Raptor Ridge portfolio of wines, you will be able to experience the influence of diverse soil types and microclimates spanning the entire breadth of the Willamette Valley. Their Daily Flight regularly includes a seasonally-appropriate selection of five wines from separate nested AVAs, and the opportunity to investigate at least one of their eclectic European varietals- Estate-grown Grüner Veltliner or Auxerrois from Eola-Amity. You can also venture beyond the Willamette Valley to Southern Oregon as you taste their Rogue Valley Tempranillo Reserva.
$30 Tasting Fee* / 1 tasting waived with 2 bottle purchase.
Raptor Ridge Winery
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The vineyard site, once a cherry orchard, slopes east-southeast with sweeping views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams—and on a very clear day, even Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier. A year was spent digging out over 2000 cherry trees, ripping and cross ripping the soils to remove ancient cherry roots.
Elevations range from 250 to 498 feet on our Loess-based Laurelwood soils with Jory underlayment. In other words, a windblown powdery volcanic soil that was left behind by retreating Ice Age glaciers 12-15,000 years ago (AKA Missoula Floods) covering the volcanic Jory under-soil. It drains quickly and erodes easily, requiring careful vineyard management.
The flavor profile of pinot noirs grown in the best-known Willamette Valley loess, Laurelwood, is bright red fruit with notes of earth and white pepper.
Raptor Ridge's estate Pinot noir is noted for its silky texture, fine-grained tannins, Italian plum, cherry, black pepper and mineral notes.
Raptor Ridge stays true to its name. The Tuscowallame vineyard, their estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountain AVA, supports numerous varieties of hawks and even peregrine falcons. Tuscowallame is also an indigenous word meaning "place where the owls dwell"-fitting because barn owls and great horned owls are regulars. The Vineyard is an 18-acre site planted to predominantly Pinot Noir. They offer Pinot Noir, Rosé, Chardonnay, Auxerrois (pronounced aux-er-wah), Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner (gruner-veltleener) and Tempranillo (tem-pra-neo).
As you taste through an educational exploration of their wines, discover your own definition of the term “Willamette Valley terroir.” Within the Raptor Ridge portfolio of wines, you will be able to experience the influence of diverse soil types and microclimates spanning the entire breadth of the Willamette Valley. Their Daily Flight regularly includes a seasonally-appropriate selection of five wines from separate nested AVAs, and the opportunity to investigate at least one of their eclectic European varietals- Estate-grown Grüner Veltliner or Auxerrois from Eola-Amity. You can also venture beyond the Willamette Valley to Southern Oregon as you taste their Rogue Valley Tempranillo Reserva.
$30 Tasting Fee* / 1 tasting waived with 2 bottle purchase.
Raptor Ridge Winery
- See more at:
