Winemaking Updates
As I sit in our tasting house after a long day in the cellar, watching the autumn sky paint itself in reds and oranges, I’m struck by how quickly time has passed. It’s hard to believe our “new” tasting house is celebrating its first anniversary! This space has become more than just a place to taste wine—it’s a haven where relationships are built and where you, our cherished members, can experience the magic of Archery Summit. The high-up views of the Willamette Valley provide the perfect backdrop for sipping our wines and creating lasting memories.
Speaking of wines, I’m thrilled to announce the release of our Arcus and Archer’s Paradox Pinot Noirs in this club shipment. Both wines are from the 2022 vintage, one many in the valley are dubbing a cool classic. The growing season marked something of a return to normal, with steady and favorable weather that led to even ripening and remarkably balanced fruit. I recall sampling clusters that year and being reminded—with every structured taste—that this is why we’ve all converged on this extraordinary place to produce distinctive wine.
With the 2021 Arcus Pinot Noir selling out a month ago, I can’t stress enough—if you like it, stock up now. This wine is as fleeting as the fall season. And the Archer’s Paradox? It’s singlehandedly our most age-worthy wine. With 100% whole cluster fruit and a tightly-coiled nature, the wine will unravel and open up elegantly for years to come. While I’m enjoying this wine now, I can’t wait to check in on it every half-year or so to witness the evolution. In my humble opinion, this style of winemaking delivers the most complex and enjoyable Pinot Noirs in the Willamette Valley.
The year has been a busy and productive one for our winemaking team. We just wrapped up another record-breaking harvest, bringing in expressive, balanced, and fresh 2024 fruit. Our understanding of our estate blocks continues to deepen, and we’re constantly analyzing our sites to ensure healthy soils and vines. We’ve planted new blocks in the Arcus and Summit vineyards and will do the same with Red Hills next year.
As we reflect on these achievements, we’re filled with gratitude for you, our members. Like most things, wine takes a strong community and we are blessed with that in droves, from our farming and sales teams to our beloved wine club family. We’d love for you to join us at our upcoming Fall Release Event—the perfect time to experience the colorful skies, the patchwork of autumn leaves in the vineyard, and to catch up with the Archery Summit gang.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
Cheers,
Ian
