Belle Vallee Cellars: Winter's Hill

Winter’s Hill Vineyard has been in the family since 1961, when Emily Gladhart’s parents, John and Lena Winter, purchased a fruit and grain farm on a corner of Oregon’s Dundee Hills. Peter & Emily and their son Russell planted the first 19 acres of grapes in 1990, 12 acres of Pinot Noir and 7 acres of Pinot Gris. The vineyard’s elevation of 525 to 730 feet on south facing slopes provides optimum warmth during summer days while exposing it to cool ocean breezes every afternoon that drop evening temperatures into the 50’s. These conditions bring the slow, gentle ripening so essential to the delicate character of fine Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The Gladhart’s entire vineyard is certified by LIVE of Oregon (Low Input Viticulture & Enology) as Sustainable and Salmon Safe. This program seeks to promote sustainable viticulture by minimizing the use of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers while still protecting the farmer, the environment and society at large. This was only achieved after a three year trial period and site inspections.