Dai
is one of a handful of winemakers in the state who grows all of
the grapes and
makes all of the wine. For more than 20 years he has been farming
vineyards sustainably - using only natural fertilizers and without
the use of chemical herbicides or systemic fungicides.
Temperance Hill is 200-acre site in the west Eola Hills with an
elevation range of 660 to 860 feet making it a cool, late site.
100 acres are planted in wine grapes with over 80% in Pinot Noir
and the rest in white wine varietals. Crop level for the Pinot
Noir is two tons to the acre and the fruit goes to 20+ clients.
The vineyard shares a fence line with Bethel Heights on the west
and reaches all the way to Cristom on the east. Soils are predominantly
Nekia, Rittner and Jory. The oldest vines at Temperance were planted
in 1980 and ‘81 on their own roots. Modern plantings are
on rootstock and include classic clones and the latest Dijon varietals.
Dai has been working with the same core team in the vineyard since
he took over management in 1999 and has been farming the vineyard
in accordance with Oregon Tilth organic standards.
A small 10 acre family-owned vineyard planted entirely to Pinot
Gris just north of Corvallis. It is a single upright trellis system
with 9 x 5 spacing. It is a warm, low elevation site that ripens
very early. Its crop level over the last three years has been around
2.7 tons to the acre. The vineyard supplies 6 clients and even though
it is not currently certified like the other vineyards, Dai farms
this site according to the same organic standards.
Since 1985 this vineyard, on Dai's 100 acre family farm, has grown
to 15 acres and is planted in Pommard Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and
Dijon clone 76 Chardonnay. Elevation is 300 - 500 feet with direct
south facing exposure. It is an extremely cool site prone to frost.
An overhead frost protection system makes it possible to farm wine
grapes here. And when we do see a crop through the entire season
without any frost these grapes make a most stunning wine.
