On wind, wine and the luck of being off the beaten path
In the world of winemaking, every vintage tells a unique story. The intertwining of nature’s elements – wind, fire, and earth – shapes the character of each bottle, embodying the essence of a particular year. The 2020 vintage stands out as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Oregon’s winemakers.
Our team recently tasted through the 2020 vintages and reminisced about a vintage that we’ll never forget. While we’re used to all kinds of weather here in Oregon, 2020 was a year for the books. A nearly ideal growing season with lower yields meant that the wines of 2020 were poised to be concentrated, complex and world class. The stage was set for a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with the promise of exceptional wines hanging in the balance.
The new reality of climate change
One cannot speak of the 2020 vintage without acknowledging the looming presence of wildfires. As harvest approached, a blanket of smoke descended upon the valley, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the vineyards. For many, this was a moment of dread, a threat to the carefully nurtured grapes that so much hard work and love had been poured into.
Right at harvest time, wildfires swept the valley. However, thanks to the famous winds of our namesake Van Duzer Corridor, the smoke blew off before affecting the grapes and we were able to make incredibly delicious wines that we’re proud to share with you.
As our vineyard manager, Bruce Sonnen, recalls “When the winds shifted and blew the smoke from the Santiam Fire towards us, I was definitely feeling dread. The primary fires were luckily to the south and north of us. The winds that caused the fires to grow so intense blew the smoke through the valley and out to the Ocean.” He goes on to remember, “the on cue the winds shifted and the winds from the Van Duzer Corridor blew the remaining smoke out of our area to the north. Fortunately, with the delayed ripening curve that we experienced at Van Duzer Vineyards, the grapes and especially the skins did not absorb the smoke. Several weeks later the grapes were harvested, and we all breathed a sigh of relief.”
In the aftermath of the wildfires, a sense of camaraderie and determination emerged among the winemaking community. As we set out to craft our wines, we did so with a renewed sense of purpose – to capture the essence of a year marked by trials and triumphs.
A vintage of lower yields, higher intensity and resilience
The wines of the 2020 vintage reflect this journey. With lower yields but heightened intensity, they embody the spirit of perseverance and ingenuity that defined the year.
For us, being off the beaten path proved to be a stroke of luck. And isn’t that what wine is about? Capturing that magic moment in a bottle that speaks to the essence of a vintage. If you’ve wondered about the 2020 harvest and hesitated, we encourage you to try our 2020 vintage. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Wine is more than just a beverage; it is a vessel of memories and emotions, a reflection of the land and the hands that tend to it. The 2020 vintage captures a moment in time, a snapshot of resilience and renewal in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that beauty can emerge from chaos, and that the true essence of wine lies not just in its taste, but in the stories it carries. Cheers to resilience, to renewal, and to the magic that lies within every bottle of wine.
