A lot has been happening this spring! Here’s what’s been going on at Elk Cove over the past three months.
In the Vineyard:
We officially have 100% budbreak. We’re still about 2 weeks behind our average year so we anticipate a later harvest than in 2016. On a warm day this time of year you can almost watch the vines grow, they’ll gain an inch or more in height in 24 hours!
Travis and the vineyard crew have planted an additional 10 acres of Pinot Noir (Adam’s favorite Dijon clone 777) at Mount Richmond Vineyard. We still have a bit more room for planting at Mount Richmond. This is our largest vineyard site just outside the town of Yamhill, Oregon.
We’ve been mowing or disking in our cover crops. These grasses and legumes help us retain soil moisture, balance soil fertility and prevent erosion.
In the Winery
Winemakers Heather and Adam are tasting every single barrel in the cellar, some more than once! We can laugh about what a cushy job this is, but it’s real work trying to maintain your palate all day. Heather says peppy music is essential. They are choosing blends for each of our Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs as well as our Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
Bottling of our 2016 white wines (and our 2016 Rosé) is finished! Our 100% Pinot Noir Rosé, Pinot Gris, and Estate Riesling have all been released but it will be another year or so before the 2016 reds are available.
In the Tasting Room
We recently hosted members of our Roosevelt Club for our Spring Dinner. Chef Jessica Hansen of the Kitchen at Middleground Farms did a great job with the menu and Kari and Katherine presented Roosevelt magnums to 12 members who’ve been in our Wine Club for 10 years or longer.
Katherine, Elissa and the Tasting Room crew are gearing up for Summer. Oregon has such beautiful weather in June, July and August so we expect a lot of visitors in the coming months. We’re especially excited about our collaborative event with the Portland Opera, Opera in the Vineyard as well as our sister winery Pike Road Wine’s Eclipse Party.
Here are a few photos of the spring season:
