Winter 2024 A-List Wine Club Newsletter
Winemaker Ian Burch discusses the A-List new releases, and what makes them so unique.
Winemaking Update
As we settle into the quieter months this year, our 2023 vintage wines are contentedly aging in their barrels, marking a serene and introspective period for us at the winery. This time of relative calm in the vineyard allows us the opportunity to reflect on the past year’s journey and prepare for the exciting new 2022 releases ahead.
The 2022 growing season in Oregon was a testament to the resilience of nature and our dedication as vintners. We faced a challenging start with an unusually cool and wet spring, stretching from April to June. This unexpected weather led to a late freeze that affected many young vine buds, crucial for the development of our grapes. This was a concerning moment for us, as the health of these buds is integral to the quality of the vintage.
However, the vines showed remarkable resilience. By July, a second set of buds caught up, resulting in abundant and sizable clusters – a welcome turnaround from the early worries. Warmth in the summer months led to one of the latest harvests in years, ending with a warm October, ideal for the grapes to fully mature and develop rich flavors.
The 2022 vintage, much like its predecessor in 2021, boasts unique characteristics. An unexpected but delightful touch of salinity is present in the fruit, adding a layer of complexity to the wines. We are especially excited to share these two new wines with you this month.
Introducing the first release this month, 2022 Renegade Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, a standout representation of the year’s unique character, particularly its dark and brooding color and intricate structure. Unruly yet captivating, this wine reflects its cooler microclimate and the vineyard’s knack for exotic, citrusy flavors, culminating in a complex, briny finish that echoes the vintage’s unexpected salinity.
Our second release from the 2022 vintage is the exquisite Archer’s Edge Pinot Noir, a wine that serves as the gateway to our estate’s unique terroir. Embodying the old soul of its south-facing vineyard, this cuvée skillfully balances youthful freshness with sophistication, offering a seductive palate of earthy spices, raspberry jam, and cocoa, complemented by a distinctive basaltic minerality and a harmonious interplay of acid and tannin.
We eagerly invite you to visit our newly renovated tasting house, where you can enjoy not only the distinct character of our 2022 vintages but also the breathtaking views from our new space. It is our sincere hope that you’ll join us to share in the warmth and beauty of our vineyard’s surroundings, creating memorable experiences with each sip.
Ian Burch
Tasting House Completion
We are overjoyed to announce the completion of our Archery Summit Tasting House renovation, a significant milestone in the Archery Summit journey. The transformation, finalized just in time for Thanksgiving Weekend, awaits your arrival to showcase the incredible enhancements designed to elevate your experience with us.
The journey to this moment has been filled with anticipation and hard work. Your support and enthusiasm have been instrumental in this transformative process. We’ve expanded our space by an additional 1,800 square feet, blending it seamlessly with the existing structure to create an exceptional environment for wine enjoyment, vineyard immersion, and memory-making with friends and loved ones.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to you for standing with us through this period of change. Your excitement has been a key driver of our dedication to excellence. You continue to receive complimentary Arrow Flight tastings for up to four. Reservations can be made by visiting our website. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you to this revitalized space.
