Vineyard Profile: Resonance Vineyard
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Vineyard: 12000 NW Foothills Road, Carlton, OR 97111
Winery: Carlton Winemakers’ Studio, 800 N. Scott St., Carlton, OR 97111
503-437-4212 cell
Resonance Vineyard sits on a convex portion of a low, west-east oriented ridge emerging out of the Coast Range. The ridge is hook-shaped, wrapping around to the east. The much higher High Heaven Ridge protects the property from the south. Panther Creek flows through the valley created between High Heaven and Resonance. The Coast Range rises immediately to the west of the property, creating a formidable weather barrier. As a result, Resonance is protected from inclement weather and wind on all sides, making it a particularly warm, dry site. The entire site is dry-farmed
Website: http://www.resonancevineyard.com
Owner: Kevin and Carla Chambers
Acreage planted:
Resonance is a 20-acre Demeter-certified Biodynamic®, family-owned vineyard located just west of Carlton on the edge of the Coast Range. At 27 years of age in the oldest blocks, the own-rooted vines are yielding profoundly complex wines. It is the Chambers’ intent to maintain this “old vine character” in the wines for as long as possible. The benevolent climate creates a near perfect match for cool-climate varietals of Vitis vinifera (such as Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer). The wet winters coupled with soils of sufficient water-holding capacity allow dry farming of vines. And the warm summers provide more than adequate heat to fully ripen the fruit. The growing season is very long (over 210 days) and dry which keeps disease and insect pressures at a minimum. Average bloom dates coincide with the Summer Solstice allowing for bloom to occur during the period of maximum light (over 16 hours). Final ripening occurs just after the Autumnal Equinox. This keen association between vine physiology and earth rhythms provides for healthy vines and profoundly flavorful fruit. The dramatic diurnal temperature swings (often exceeding 40°F) during the final ripening phase helps retain natural acidity in the fruit while maximizing the anthocyanin and polyphenol levels (contributing deep color and mouth-coating texture to the wines, as well as providing healthful anti-oxidants).
Varieties planted:
The own-rooted, non-irrigated vineyard consists of:
Pinot noir
10 acres of Pommard planted in 1981 and 2006
7 acres of Wadensvil planted in 1987 and 2006
2 acres of 777 planted in 1995
Gewürztraminer
1.5 acres planted in 1981
There is about 1/4 acre combined of Pinot gris and Muller-Thurgau planted as well.
Elevation, exposure and soil characteristics of vineyard:
Soils are primarily Willakenzie and Yamhill (however both of these soils are currently in the process of reclassification with the U.S.G.S). There are areas with virtually no top soil that can only be labeled as shale rock land. The Willakenzie and exposed shale are both old sedimentary deposits that begin at the bottom of the slope. The Yamhill is an ancient, submarine basaltic soil (much older than the more common, basalt-derived Jory and Nekia soils in the Dundee Hills). The Yamhill soil is found near the top of the slope and much of the crown is exposed, broken basalt bedrock.
Wine flavor profile:
We endeavor to create Demeter-certified Biodynamic wines that effectively communicated the terroir that is Resonance Vineyard. The resulting wines are highly aromatic, with a broad palate and silky texture. The Pinot noir typically offers pomegranate and fresh raspberry fruit with a delightful clove-like spice. The acidity leaves the wine bright and lively; not heavy and cloying. In typical Resonance Vineyard fashion the tannins are polymerized leaving a silky, immediately enjoyable wine. We believe the wines improve in the bottle for four to seven years (depending on cellar temperature) and then hold for up to 15 years. The dry Gewurztraminer blend (g3) offers aromas of pineapple and coconut with cardamom and clove-like spice and the typical rich palate feel of Resonance Vineyard.
Viticultural philosophies and practices:
The Chambers’ farm achieved Demeter-certified Biodynamic® status in 2006. Demeter is the globally recognized Biodynamic® certification agency. The Chambers use all the BD preparations as well as whey, sulfur, compost tea, botanical teas, horticultural oil and biological fungal controls (like Serenade). The vineyard floor is managed to maximize plant species diversity which helps maintain balanced insect populations. The vine canopy is intensely managed to provide maximum light and air penetration, as well as careful solar exposure of the fruit. Crop levels are monitored closely every year. The moderately dense spacing allows for fruit to thinning, yielding very close to two tons per acre every year. All the fruit is hand harvested for very gentle processing.
Wineries produce vineyard-designated wine from this site:
Resonance Vineyard fruit (formerly Reed & Reynolds) has been sold to several wineries over the last 18 years. You may find older bottlings of the vineyard designated wine made by Sineann, Walnut City Wineworks, LaBete or Lemelson Vineyards. Starting with the 2006 vintage, the Chambers sell about 1/3 of their Pinot Noir fruit to winemaker Peter Rosback with Sineann. The remainder will be kept under their own Resonance Vineyard label. The Chambers produced their own wines at the Carlton Winemaker’s Studio, a sustainable, multi-user facility in Carlton, Oregon.
