2006 Elk Cove Vineyards Mount Richmond Pinot Noir

Elk Cove Vineyards and Estate was established in 1973 by Pat and Joe Campbell, on a secluded property in the North Willamette Valley. The first planted vineyard was on a gentle south-facing slope which drained into a steep canyon. The sunny hillsides were planted to early ripening varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling. The first year of commercial production was released in 1978. Estate vineyards now cover over 100 acres on three separate sites in the Northern Willamette Valley.

Steep south facing slopes, of Willakenzie and Laurelwood soil types with excellent drainage, provide the perfect environment to grow the world class wine grapes that are the basis for creating Elk Cove wines. Proper site selection and meticulous vine management along with harvesting at very low yields creates the concentration and depth of flavor that are hallmarks of Elk Cove wines.

There have been great changes at Elk Cove in the last few years. New winemaker Adam Campbell (son of the owners) introduced new equipment and methods that have reaped great rewards in wine quality. Recent (2001 and 2002) reviews of Elk Cove's Pinot Noirs and white wines have renewed and increased interest in their products. In the winery Adam employs gravity flow and gentle handling to protect the inherent qualities of the Estate grown fruit.

Elk Cove has been producing single vineyard pinot noirs since 1979. They use sustainable agricultural practices on all their vineyards, and all fruit is hand harvested.  Just 15 of the 100 planted acres at three vineyard locations are selected for Elk Cove's Single Vineyard wines. These particular sites consistently provide the material proven to  make outstanding wines.  They hold yields to under two tons per acre using severe pruning, shoot thinning, and green harvesting techniques. 

The Mount Richmond site is Elk Cove's newest single vineyard site, planted out in 1997.
No tasting notes available. -  notes sourced from PinotNow