Winter’s Hill Pinot Noir Watershed 2015 | Burgundy style & quality – for $20
Winter’s Hill Pinot Noir Watershed 2015 exudes enticing aromas of black cherries, new-wood cedar, and tea spice. On entry, juicy Bing cherry notes lead to a mid-palate of cherry compote, baking spice, and hints of crushed red floral notes. While gorgeous tea-scented fruit tannin is buttressed by mouthwatering acidity, which cleanses the palate sip after sip. Yet, the bottle truly comes to life when served with a slight chill. Drink now and for the next 5 to 7 years.
Most of all, in Wine Spectator’s 95-point vintage, this is as close as the New World comes to Old World flavor. In addition, Winter’s Hill Pinot Noir Watershed 2015 delivers structure, and sophistication — that is, at $20 per bottle. So, don’t miss out on this bargain Burgundian-styled gem from the Dundee Hills of Oregon. Just hit “buy” on at least six bottles of today’s Winter’s Hill Pinot Noir Watershed 2015 from the Dundee Hills of Oregon and let this wine simply wow you into a terroir expert.
Founders Peter and Emily Gladhart
Peter and Emily Gladhart planted their first 20 acres in 1990 when planting Pinot Noir in Dundee Hills appeared to be a crapshoot at best. While the Winter’s Hill Estate is breathtaking just like its world-class neighbors from Archery Summit and White Rose all within a 3-mile radius. Set at 525-700 feet in elevation. Yet today just 35 acres of vines are surrounded by almost 115 acres of fir and oak forests.
Explore today’s finds at Wine Access
As is still so common in Willamette Valley, Peter farms Winter’s Hill himself, with the help of a small crew of six. Following a meticulous Côte de Nuits script, the Gladharts eschew mechanical harvesters. While preferring to clip each bunch by hand, before gently placing each bunch into 5-gallon buckets before the short truck ride to the winery. Consequently, this painstaking process assures no berries are damaged. And no free-run juice is lost from vine to winery.
Winemaker Russell Gladhart
Russell was immediately captivated by the vineyard his parents planted when he was 18. Plus enjoying working on the farm during his studies and after graduation. He went on to work for several vineyards and wineries in Oregon and New Zealand. Almost always thinking about how what he was learning could be applied to the vineyard at home. He and his wife Delphine met while working together at an Oregon winery. And the two of them traveled and worked together in Oregon, New Zealand, and finally Delphine’s home, France.
Russell took the opportunity to study enology and viticulture at the Centre de Formation Professionnelle et de Promotion Agricole de Beaune in the heart of Burgundy. Marrying in 2004 and moving back to Oregon, forming a partnership with Peter and Emily. Delphine made the wine until 2014 when she passed the reins on to Russell. Russell enjoys the challenges, unpredictability, and ultimate rewards of working with family and running a small business.