i y a d s
Estate
Purchased in 2000, our estate site was an aged orchard. A year was spent digging out over 2000 cherry trees, ripping and cross ripping the soils to remove ancient roots. The vineyard was planted in three phases, and each block is named for the vineyard manager who planted it: Adalfo Jimenez in 2001, Macario Ramirez in 2004, and Dustin Miller in 2007. The estate is planted with Pinot noir clones 115, 667, 777, and Pommard, in addition to our Grüner Veltliner block. Each block ranges from 250 to 498 feet in elevation, and our vineyards are grown in Loess-based Laurelwood soils with Jory underlayment.
Eola Amity
Husband and Wife David Beck and Jeanne Crawford farm and study their unique microclimate site in the Eola-Amity hills. They farm the site with a specific scientific methodology, focusing on each individual vine and treating each block of the varied site in unique ways. The vineyard frequently partners with local universities and research institutions to study the site and new vineyard management techniques. Raptor Ridge sources from Block 1, utilizing both cane and spur pruning techniques. The vineyard lies in the cool-climate Eola-Amity Hills on a swale that faces south-southwest. The Van Duzer corridor funnels the cooling coastal breezes into the vineyard, creating diurnal temperatures through the growing season meaning this vineyard is invariably one of the last to be harvested.
Husband and Wife David Beck and Jeanne Crawford farm and study their unique microclimate site in the Eola-Amity hills. David and Jeanne focus on each individual vine and treat each block of the varied site in unique ways, frequently partnering with local universities and research institutions to study new vineyard management techniques. Raptor Ridge sources from Block 1, utilizing both cane and spur pruning techniques. The vineyard lies in the cool-climate Eola-Amity Hills on a swale that faces south-southwest. The Van Duzer corridor funnels the cooling coastal breezes into the vineyard, creating diurnal temperature swings through the growing season meaning this vineyard is invariably one of the last to be harvested.
Managed by Dai Crisp since 1999, this second-generation vineyard was first planted in 1981 by the Koo family on what is believed to be the remnants of an ancient volcano. The vineyard is primarily made up of Pinot Noir, with a few acres of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. With an elevation range of 660 to 860 feet, Temperance Hill is a cool site, providing excellent growing conditions for Pinot Noir. The vineyard was Certified Organic in 2012. Dai uses mechanical cultivation rather than herbicides and all the handwork is done by a 15-person crew, the core of which has been Dai since 1999.
Eola Amity
Managed by Dai Crisp since 1999, this second-generation vineyard was first planted in 1981 by the Koo family on what may be the remnants of an ancient volcano. The vineyard is primarily Pinot Noir, with a few acres of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. At elevations ranging from 660 to 860 feet, Temperance Hill provides cool conditions, well-suited for Pinot Noir. The vineyard was Certified Organic in 2012. Dai uses mechanical cultivation, and meticulous handwork is done by a 15-person crew, the core of which has been Dai since 1999.
Eola Amity
Situated in the cool-climate windblown Eola-Amity Hills AVA in the southern Willamette Valley, Zenith vineyard first plantings of Auxerrois were in 1997. In 2002 Tim and Kari Ramey purchased the site, originally known as the O’Connor vineyard, and began replanting and revitalizing the 83-acre vineyard with LIVE certification standards. The soils generally fall into the silty-clay category, and Raptor Ridge sources Auxerrois from blocks 2C & 2D, on Hazelair Silt Loam, planted in 2012. Currently blocks of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Tempranillo and Pinot Blanc thrive beautifully at an elevation of 280-330 feet.
Situated in the cool-climate windblown Eola-Amity Hills AVA in the southern Willamette Valley, Zenith Vineyard’s first plantings of Auxerrois were in 1997. Originally known as the O’Connor Vineyard, Tim and Kari Ramey purchased the site in 2002 and began replanting and revitalizing the 83-acre vineyard by employing LIVE certification standards. The soils fall into the silty-clay category, and Raptor Ridge sources Auxerrois from blocks 2C & 2D planted in 2012 on Hazelair Silt Loam. Blocks of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, and Pinot Blanc thrive beautifully at Zenith Vineyard today at an elevation of 280-330 feet.
Meredith Mitchell Vineyards was established by Husband and Wife Frank Mitchell and Susan Meredith in 1990 on a 104-acre property. The vineyard is about 24 acres and was planted in 1988 to mostly own-rooted Pinot Noir (Pommard clone) with small blocks of Pinot Gris added in 1995, Pinot Blanc in 1996, and Chardonnay grafted over from Pinot Gris in 2015. The vineyard is now managed by Results Partners which began employing Biodynamic principles in 2014. The vineyard was Demeter Biodynamic certified in 2018. Mitchell and Meredith approached the Shulls about sourcing the 2000 harvest from their vineyard after witnessing the fine wines Scott was producing from other sites in the region.
McMinnville
Meredith Mitchell Vineyards was established by Husband and Wife Frank Mitchell and Susan Meredith in 1990 on a 104-acre property. The vineyard is about 24 acres and was planted in 1988 to mostly own-rooted Pinot Noir (Pommard clone) with small blocks of Pinot Gris added in 1995, Pinot Blanc in 1996, and Chardonnay grafted over from Pinot Gris in 2015. The vineyard is now managed by Results Partners which began employing Biodynamic principles in 2014. The vineyard was Demeter Biodynamic certified in 2018. Mitchell and Meredith approached the Shulls about sourcing the 2000 harvest from their vineyard after witnessing the fine wines Scott was producing from other sites in the region.
Yamhill Carlton
Atticus Vineyard is the creation and dream-turned-life of owners Ximena Orrego and Guy Insley who purchased and planted the site in 2005. Their estate now homestead was farmed exclusively for their own eponymously named label, Atticus Wine until 2010 when Raptor Ridge began sourcing fruit from the site. Orrego worked as a harvest intern for Raptor Ridge in 2007, forming a relationship both personal and professional that extends to the present, as Raptor Ridge houses Atticus Wine’s production within its facility. As of this vintage, Raptor Ridge is the only other winery who sources from the vineyard. This prime site at the northern end of Yamhill with a southerly aspect is situated at an elevation of 300’ atop Willakenzie soils and was planted to five, single clone blocks in 2005 with subsequent plantings currently ongoing.
Atticus Vineyard is the creation and dream-come-true of owners Ximena Orrego and Guy Insley who purchased and planted the site in 2005. Their estate, now also their home, is farmed exclusively for their eponymous label. Orrego worked as a harvest intern for Raptor Ridge in 2007, forming a relationship both personal and professional that extends to the present, as Raptor Ridge houses Atticus Wine’s production within its facility. In 2010 Orrego and Insley graciously granted us access to a small amount of fruit from the maturing site. As of this vintage, Raptor Ridge is the only other winery that sources from the vineyard to produce a single bottling exclusively for club members. This prime site at the northern end of Yamhill with a southerly aspect is situated at an elevation of 300’ atop Willakenzie soils and was planted to five, single clone blocks in 2005 with subsequent plantings currently ongoing.
Heading west from Carlton on the valley floor, Meadowlake Road gradually ascends into the Coast Range, where it tracks the Nestucca River through coniferous rainforest to the Pacific Ocean. The foothills here contain one of the larger vineyard designates in Yamhill-Carlton, the 210-acre Gran Moraine Vineyard. Planted in 2005 by Pacific Partners, in conjunction with CALPERS (California Public Employees Retirement System), Gran Moraine climbs from 180 to 420 feet, and is planted to both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Well-drained, ancient Willakenzie and Hazelair soils are aided by state-of-the-art vineyard management of Ken Kupperman. Since 2009 Raptor Ridge has sourced clones 114, 667, and Pommard from mid-slope blocks, as well as those at the top of the hill.
Yamhill Carlton
Heading west from Carlton on the valley floor, Meadowlake Road gradually ascends into the Coast Range, where it tracks the Nestucca River through coniferous rainforest to the Pacific Ocean. The foothills here contain one of the larger vineyard designates in Yamhill-Carlton, the 210-acre Gran Moraine Vineyard. Planted in 2005 by Pacific Partners, in conjunction with CALPERS (California Public Employees Retirement System), Gran Moraine climbs from 180 to 420 feet, and is planted to both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Well-drained, ancient Willakenzie and Hazelair soils are aided by state-of-the-art vineyard management of Ken Kupperman. Since 2009 Raptor Ridge has sourced clones 114, 667, and Pommard from mid-slope blocks, as well as those at the top of the hill.
experiences
Let's Get Together!
Open daily, we welcome you to visit our estate vine-side tasting room between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm. Reservations are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome when available.