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Our focus is to grow premium quality winegrapes and wine. We believe in sustainable viticultural practices that do not diminish the inherent qualities of our vineyard site. We do not irrigate our vineyard. We do plant cover crops to reduce soil erosion and feed the soil. The soil feeds our vines. We are stewards of the land. The vineyard at Amalie Robert Estate is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Salem, Oregon. The dry farmed vineyard is currently 30 acres (about 43,130 vines), predominately Pinot Noir. When fully planted, there will be about 40 acres under vine. Amalie Robert Estate is owned and operated by Dena Drews and Ernie Pink. The vineyard is predominately south facing with mostly Bellpine soil, a silty clay loam. The elevation ranges from about 275 feet up to 650 feet. Vines are spaced 7 ½ x 4 feet, providing 1,452 vines per acre. We grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Syrah and Viognier. Up until 1999, our vineyard was covered by a beautiful cherry orchard. We learned to farm the orchard that year and took the time to become acquainted with the land. Once the cherry harvest was finished, the transformation from orchard to vineyard began. Of course, there were bumps along the way. We strive to do right by the land. We use a single criteria in our decision making: “Will this action respect the character of the vineyard and improve the wine?” Oregon’s climate provides a unique farming experience. Frost during bloom, aka “the Victoria Clipper”, and hail just before harvest, remind us this is agriculture first and “the romance of the vine” second. And you always feed the birds. Harvest is the most exciting time of the year. An entire year’s work is spread throughout the vineyard. Leaves which have given their all, turn from green to orange to yellow and highlight the dark purple grapes at first light. The fruit is harvested by hand. The quiet gives way to the sound of clippers quickly working to remove the fruit from the vine. Bucket after bucket is loaded into a bin and delivered to the winery. Magic is in the air. We retain about half of our harvest and sell grapes to Beaux Frères, Cristom Vineyards and Elk Cove Vineyards. Good partners and friends to be sure. Our current releases include three 2005 Pinot noirs: Our Dijon Clones Pinot Noir (550 cases) and our limited production bottlings of Amalie's Cuvée (150 cases) and “Estate” (40 cases). Look for us at IPNC this July and join us for the 2008 ¡Salud! Pinot Noir Auction this November for a taste of a very unique Pinot Noir. |