Eagles Watch Vineyard
Originally a Christmas tree farm, Ken and Celia acquired this property in 2009 and contemplated how to best preserve the land. As the growing wine industry erupted around them and as they celebrated the grand opening of the Allison Inn & Spa, the future of the land became clear, a vineyard would be planted. Under the watchful eye of resident eagles, the first of our vines were planted. The vineyard is encircled by Douglas Fir and oak trees which we have preserved allowing the eagles to nest and soar above.
Eagles Watch Vineyard offers rolling views and terroir with a significant sense of place. Pinot Noir reigns in this vineyard represented by Pommard, Wadenswil, and Dijon clones 115, 667, 777 and 943. Our flagship Pinot Noir is produced from the Eagles Watch Vineyard.
Years Planted: 2009 & 2013
Acres: 15
Soil: Jory
Elevation: 640 feet
Aspect: South
Spacing: 4 x 7
In 2012, Ken & Celia acquired land from their longtime and beloved neighbor Lee Anderson. Lee put his heart and soul into managing this postage stamp parcel where he farmed and raised horses, mules and donkeys. As Ken loves to tell the story, “Lee had a heart of gold and would nearly fall off his horse waving at you when you passed by.”
Planted in 2013 to clone 95 of Chardonnay and the Pommard clone of Pinot Noir, Lee’s Vineyard is a young site with great potential for amazing wines. Its rocky soil lends to strong irrigation and minerality in the fruit. Lee’s Vineyard produces small lot, single barrel wines made exclusively for Rain Dance Preservation Members.
Year Planted: 2013
Acres: 3
Soil: Jory & Nekia
Elevation: 613 feet
Aspect: East
Spacing: 4 x 7
In the Fall of 2014 stewardship drove Ken & Celia to acquire 40 acres in Chehalem Mountain. This site, originally named Nicholas Vineyard, was planted in 2001.
Grand Oak has yielded a high pedigree of fruit which has been sourced to several notable producers. The strong consistent soils produce wines with great structure and depth. Ken & Celia are proud to continue grower relationships with the producers using fruit from the vineyard. In addition, they produce Rain Dance Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, Riesling, Rosé and Pinot Noir wines from Grand Oak. The vineyard is planted to Pommard and Dijon clone Pinot Noirs 114, 115, 667 and 777, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewürtztraminer.
Years Planted: 2001, 2008 & 2015
Acres: 40
Soil: Jory & Laurelwood
Elevation: 544 feet
Aspect: Southeast
Spacing: 5 x 7
While growing up in Newberg, Foothills Christmas Tree Farm was the place that Ken and his family visited each year to get their tree. When Ken and Celia purchased the tree farm, it had gone untouched for many years. Thirty-plus-year-old Christmas trees were cleared to make way for the vineyard, revealing an amazing view! Once the vineyard was planted, Ken & Celia decided to honor that memory and kept the name, Foothills.
This lower elevation site offers a range of diversity to the Rain Dance Estate portfolio. Within the seven blocks, we see thicker, unique volcanic soils at the lower elevation and larger glacial erratics at the higher elevation. With the vineyard, there is strong circulation which allows for large clusters and strong, rich fruit. Ken & Celia are proud to work with other winemakers who use fruit from the vineyard. The vineyard is planted to Pommard and Dijon clone Pinot Noirs 90 and 777, Dijon clone Chardonnays 76 & 95, and Mt. Eden Chardonnay.
