LumInous Hills Vineyard

LUminous Hills Vineyards Seven of Hearts buys fruit from select vineyards in some of the prized sub-appellations of the northern Willamette valley and surrounding regions. Starting in 2008, fruit will also be harvested from the estate vineyard, Luminous Hills.

Luminous Hills Vineyard sits in the southwestern portion of the Yamhill-Carlton District within the larger Willamette Valley appellation. While the appellation as a whole is largely known for its sedimentary soils, Luminous Hills Vineyard lies within a transition zone that has areas of both sedimentary soils (primarily Willakenzie) as well as volcanic soils (Jory). Overall, the vineyard is about 65% sedimentary and 35% volcanic.

Aerial of Vineyard

During the development phase of planting, many scout holes were dug to determine the boundaries these soil types (as well as those, such as Panther Creek series, which we wanted to exclude from the vineyard), in order to match clones to the soils and to enable us to manage those areas separately in the vineyard and to be able to vinify them separately in the winery.

You can view our Vineyard Block Map here.

Careful assessment of clones and rootstocks were conducted to make the best match for the soils, aspect and elevation at the site. A foundation of Pommard was selected along with large blocks of the Dijon clones 777, 667, and 115. The site uses primarily 101-14 rootstock, with the higher elevation portion of Pommard on Riparia in order to promote earlier ripening for this late ripening clone.

Byron planting at the vineyard

While water rights were obtained and water is available for the vineyard, our intention is to dry farm the property. Our philosophy is to promote deep root growth to maximize the characteristics of the site in the resulting wine. Irrigation is available as a safety net for difficult vintages where it can be used discriminatingly to protect the vines and maximize fruit quality (e.g., to prevent raisining when physiological ripening has not completed during the end of a dry, hot season).

L.I.V.E and Salmon Safe Farmed sustainably, Luminous Hills Vineyard is part of the LIVE program. In 2007, Luminous Hills Vineyard was certified as having passed the first year requirements of LIVE,Inc, earning the rights to be designated Salmon-Safe. In 2008, our first year of production, we passed our second year inspection, receiving the full LIVE endorsement.

Yields at Luminous HIlls Vineyard are managed to a minimum to ensure the highest quality fruit. Each block with its unique soil-type and microclimate are tended to individually to optimize the unique character derived from the varieties and clones that are carefully matched to each area.

Terry Peasley Pen & Ink Drawing - Luminous Hills Vineyard

Additional Pictures of Luminous Hills Vineyard

Other Vineyards

Beginning in 2008, in addition to starting production of wines from our estate Luminous Hills Vineyard, Seven of Hearts Wine will begin releasing wines we have made from several highly regarded and well managed vineyards in the Eola-Amity AVA, including the Crawford Beck Vineyard and The Cost Vineyard. We are very pleased to be producing wines from such outstanding vineyard sites where great attention to detail and care is given to the vineyards.

2008 also heralds the arrival of our first Rhone varietals with the impending release of a unique blend of Roussanne and Viognier sourced from the Columbia Valley AVA, two varieties prominant in the great white wines of the Chateauneuf region of France. These are terrific food wines with solid structure to accompany their unique tropical aromatics.