Viticulture

Great grapes make great wine. Each vineyard at Left Coast contains a wide variety of clonal and rootstock combinations, elevations, row orientations and soil compositions. A microcosm of flavors, sugars, and acidity can be found in each block of vines. Get to know the vineyards that make our wines extraordinary.

 

The Bench

Planted: 2001
Acreage: 14.6 acres
Elevation: 295 feet
Varietal: Pinot Noir (Clones 777, 667, 115, and 114)

The vineyard is named for the bench-like terraces that cascade down the east-facing slope of the property. The Bench block of Pinot Noir is the largest vineyard block on the Left Coast Estate and therefore it contributes heavily to our flagship wine, Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir.

SYRAH

Planted: 2005
Acreage: 0.54 acres
Elevation: 335 feet
Varietal: Syrah (Syrah Noir Clone)

At the top of our Right Bank vineyard is a small “hot spot” where we have planted a cool climate Noir clone Syrah. While it is uncommon to discover Syrah planted in our part of the Willamette Valley, this varietal thrives in these extreme conditions and produces a wine that offers a unique depth and spice to complement our Pinot Noir selections.

THE LEFT BANK

Planted: 2003
Acreage: 9.49 acres
Elevation: 400 feet
Varietal: Chardonnay (Clones 37, 44, 76, 95, 96, and 108) Pinot Blanc (Clone 5)

The Left Bank is to the far left corner of the Estate, on the way to Truffle Hill. Just at the entrance sits a hillside block of Chardonnay. These wines possesses a distinct minerality and austerity coupled with appropriate ripe fruit characteristics and food-friendly acidity.

THE ORCHARDS

Planted: 2005
Acreage: 7.4 acres
Elevation: 276 feet
Varietal: Pinot Gris (Clones 146 and 152)

Originally planted in apples by the settlers of Holmes Gap, this area was also the earlier home of pear and cherry orchards. The Orchards block is now dominated by Pinot Gris plantings and one singular majestic oak tree. The grey clay and drought-ridden soil conditions of this block lend a fresh fruitiness and ripeness to our Pinot Gris.

FIELD OF DREAMS

Planted: 2007/08
Acreage: 22 acres
Elevation: 450 feet
Varietal: Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Chardonnay (Clones Musque, 76, and 96), Piont Noir (Clones 828, Pommard, and Wädenswil), Pinot Meunier

The Field of Dreams vineyard sits on a rectangular piece on land that was cleared for agricultural use on the eve of World War I. The 100 year old plot was acquired by Left Coast Cellars in 2008 and planted with Pinot Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. A perfect balance of soil types, elevation, and altitude makes the Field of Dreams one of our most exciting vineyards going into the future.

Latitude 45

Planted: 2001
Acreage: 10.4 acres
Elevation: 272 feet
Varietal: Pinot Noir (Clones Dijon 777, 667, 115, and 114)

The Latitude 45 Vineyard is directly intersected by the 45th parallel, like many of the great vineyard properties of France. Below the shallow soil is fractured silt stone, which contains sea shells and fossils. Just above the Latitude 45 vineyard we have the second largest Erratic Boulder in the State of Oregon.

The right bank

Planted: 2005
Acreage: 8.01 acres
Elevation: 331 feet
Varietal: Pinot Noir (Pommard Clone)

This southwest facing knoll, with its rocky, shallow soils possesses a uniquely warm micro-climate and extreme soil conditions. These special characteristics promote the intensity of the resulting wines. The Right Bank vineyard is planted to the Pommard clone of Pinot Noir.

TRUFFLE HILL

Planted: 2005
Acreage: 13.78 acres
Elevation: 404 feet
Varietal: Pinot Noir (Clones Wädenswil and Pommard) 

Truffle Hill is one of the most unique places on the Left Coast Estate. Home to 3 acres of European Black Truffle-inoculated hazelnut trees, shrub roses and holly oaks, this dual-varietal vineyard is planted with 5 acres of the Swiss clone Wädenswil Pinot Noir. These grapes contribute lively fruit and subtle earthy characteristics to our single vineyard Truffle Hill Pinot Noir.

High Acres

Planted: 2013
Acreage: 13.92 acres
Elevation: 453 feet
Varietal: Pinot Noir (Clones 777, 667, and 115), Pinot Meunier

Tucked away at the corner of the Estate, High Acres is the youngest vineyard at Left Coast and the only to contain volcanic soils. During the great Missoula floods, tremendous floodwaters inundated the Willamette Valley and brought the river level over the 400 feet elevation mark. High Acres would have been a small island in the center of the valley.