A-List Wine Club Newsletter | Spring 2021
Winemaking Update
Ian Burch, Winemaker
With our winter bottling of 2019 single-vineyard Pinots now behind us, we are happily turning our focus once again to the 2020 vintage and the beautiful wines that are patiently sleeping in barrel as we peek in on them to keep sulfur levels and the wines topped up. This is about the time we are tasting from every barrel and putting together the final composition of each finished wine, making plans for future bottlings and anticipating freeing up cellar space for the upcoming harvest. For the most part, it is quiet in the cellar while the sprint is just about to begin in the vineyard.
In an ongoing pursuit of sustainability, Archery Summit has pledged not to spray another drop of herbicide on its vineyards. It is part of a larger, holistic move that will reduce our carbon footprint, be better for the environment and produce truly sustainable wines. The transformation sees a renewed relationship with Leigh Bartholomew, Archery Summit’s former vineyard manager of a decade. She returns to our estate alongside Evan Strode with Results Partners. The duo will work closely with our team to make our five unique estate vineyards integrate best with their natural surroundings. The farming philosophy will grow increasingly biodynamic, beginning with Arcus and Summit vineyards. That means fresh soil, beneficial insects, biodiversity and incredible wines. Better, our team will thrive by farming in a chemical-free environment. The faces behind our estate farming will remain largely the same, with Lupe, Jesus and Sonya continuing to tend our treasured vines. The trio has a combined 55 years of viticultural experience, their efforts making up the heart and soul of our winemaking endeavors.
Springtime always signifies a fresh start as we begin to see buds swell in the vineyard, wildflowers and daffodils pepper the landscape, and the smell of freshly tilled soil fills the air. Chatter about mini vacations and rekindling with family and friends is swelling, too, among our team. We are looking forward with optimism that post-pandemic times are around the corner and hoping to enjoy a bit of respite before harvest action is in full swing once again.
The 2019 Vintage
The 2019 harvest is synonymous with so many deeply Oregonian things. When one thinks of the Beaver State, they tend to imagine salamanders, ferns, pine trees, fresh and bouncy forest floors underfoot and rain. This pretty much sums up the vintage, at least the rain aspect.
Having just over two inches fall through harvest was something we played hopscotch with. We have grown accustomed to warmer, drier vintages as of late. The wet conditions rinsed off the fruit and gave the vines one last gulp of water as color and maturity in the clusters caught up with sugar levels and acidity.
The 2019 vintage wines are ethereal and showcase the soul of what Oregon truly is. We operate within a wine region that builds on acidity and tension with cool weather to allow complex development. The vintage is one I like to call “old school” in Oregon wine, and we could not be happier for you to experience it for yourself. At first sip you’ll hear the pure rains drumming on the rooftop and see evergreens standing tall in the distance, if only in your mind.
Spring Release
The wines in this release are ones we have long been anticipating. With limited production, many of our single vineyard Pinots have found their way into your cellars, and Summit Vineyard is certainly a beloved Pinot Noir that we have been eager to enjoy once again. Set adjacent to our tasting room, the vineyard’s proprietary Pinot Noir clones are known for their richness and robust flavors. Our most exclusive offering, this wine is wonderfully round in profile and is a stunning statement on behalf of our expressive, brick red and beloved Jory soils.
In addition to the Summit Vineyard Pinot Noir, we are thrilled to share the return of its counterpart, Summit Vineyard Chardonnay. With just over an acre of this 16-acre site dedicated to Chardonnay, the block is an extension of our efforts to establish the best combinations of vines and rootstocks with soil and microclimates, ensuring a natural acidity combined with a concentration of flavor. While Archery Summit is renowned for exceptional Pinot Noir, our most loyal members and followers know and appreciate our refined style of Oregon Chardonnay. With the return of this very special wine in 2019, we are pleased to allocate it exclusively to our A-List club members this season.
Finally, our flagship Dundee Hills Pinot Noir rounds out the collection. To unpack this Pinot Noir is to dig through layer upon intriguing layer of the storied Dundee Hills appellation, which offers the power of plurality within a single, unique place. The immaculate growing conditions bring every detail of the five select vineyards to life – the varying blocks, soil types, vine ages, and clones – resulting in a wine brimming with complexity.
We know you will enjoy these three incredible new releases as much as we do, and we look forward to sharing them with you in your May Release and at our winery on your next visit. Cheers!
