SAFFRON FIELDS VINEYARD
2009 -
February - We had a bad winter storm which dumped several inches of snow onto the valley. This caused a lot of damage to several vineyards in the area. Some new vineyards lost 60-80% of their vines. We were lucky and we don't see any major damage. Its probably <5% loss.
March - The charm of the caretaker's cottage had worn off on Angela and the dogs. We decided to get a mobile home in place. We selected a small singlewide which seemed reasonable and got the installation process underway.
This is the year that the first ten acres will produce its first crop. Tony Rynders has agreed to buy the entire production for his clients and the Grand Cru venture.
June - The trailer is installed. Electricity and water arrived on the last day of trip but it looks like it is working. Angela had mattresses and a dining table delivered from a store in Newburg. The bedroom furniture is ordered and should be here soon.
September - Harvest is here. Angela and I were there for a few days. We spent every morning eating the grapes left over by the pickers. These grapes are all sugar (>25% Brix) and it does not take many to get a massive sugar rush. The vineyard is full of yellow jacket wasps drunk on the grape juice. This is the best time of the year to visit Oregon. We visited the new Grand Cru winery to see the grapes being processed. A very good day. Its great to see the grapes actually rolling out.
2008 -
February - We planted 165+ trees and several other smaller plants which were the first phase of the gardern plan. The idea being that we needed to get the trees started so that they would a 5 year headstart. See pictures
March - We made the decision to plant the next 12 acres. The new planting was divided into 3 clones (Wadenswil, 115 and 777), all on 101-14 rootstock. As in 2006, the vines were ordered from Duarte. The vines planted in 2007 have started to look more like actual plants rather than just sticks in the ground.
July - We looked at the estimates on the barn conversion and it was beyond our budget and any rational business plan. This was before the construction company actually got into the construction phase and would almost certainly discover more issues. It does not look good to save the barn. We are probably better off recovering the wood and using it to build the tasting room and winery.
October - The vines are going to be planted in the fall this year. This gives them additional time to get their roots set over the winter. Hopefully we won't get any bad winter storms.
2007 -
March - We went out to see the vines being planted. As is the norm in Oregon, it rained everyday and was miserably cold. It was impossible to get the caretaker's shed warmed up. The temperature never got above 58 F. It took 2 days to get the vines into the ground and did not look like a fun job. The site was a muddy mess and all the RP guys were covered in mud.
April - Angela had difficulty communicating her vision of the garden to the landscape architect. So, we have a new landscape architect,- Kurisu International. Hoichi Kurisu who designed the Portland Japanese Garden is working with us on the plan.
July - Attended IPNC. This time we visited Witness Tree vineyards. A less fancier facility than Domaine Serene but more the norm in the Willamette valley. For us the IPNC is a learning experience, meeting all the different folks in the industry and getting advice about the issues that they have gone through. Additionally, we always heard that RP was a good choice.
We started looking at what it would take to convert the Barn into a winery and tasting room. Everybody is fascinated by the barn but it was apparent that it would not be a simple conversion and the requirements to make the barn meet code would be complicated.
2006 -
March - Ordered the vines from Duarte. 10 acres worth of pommard. This is the start of the vineyard. Also, we decided to refurbish the caretakers cottage at the property to enable us to stay at the property. It sounded exciting to be able to stay at the property.
July - Attended our first IPNC. It was a fun and very educational affair. We were in the group that went to Domaine Serene for lunch. Also, met another family from Texas. The McWilliams had moved to the Russian River valley in California to make wine. Their winery is called Arista winery. We were sitting across from David Lett at the Sunday brunch and after hearing about our desire to get in the wine business he advised us to seek out a good psychiatrist. A reaction that was not uncommon.
October - The land has been prepped and is ready for planting. Luke Pedotti is our vineyard manager. Angela started to work with a landscape architect to plan the landscaping around the barn and what will eventually be the winery and tasting room.
2005 -
We chose Results Partners to manage the vineyard for us. We are new to the industry and we needed the vineyard manager to guide us through this large (at least for us) investment. Vines take 3 years to start producing and then last for 20+ years and mistakes made at the onset are very expensive to fix both in terms of time and money. We spoke to several people and RP always got very positive recommendations. Additionally, Kevin Chambers had worked with us to do due diligence on the property when we purchased it .