The Pines

The Pines Vineyard faces southeast along Mill Creek near The Dalles, in the Columbia Gorge. It is farmed by Lonnie Wright, a legend of Oregon grape growing who has been tending vines since the 1970s and planted this Syrah in 1999. We are lucky to call him a partner, and proud to carry his work from the vineyard into the bottle. The property is also home to Zinfandel vines more than a century old, which Lonnie revived.

Out here, east of the Cascades, the climate turns hot and dry, and the Columbia River is the engine that drives the weather and moderates the temperature. Silty loam soils hold water well through the warm summers, and the result is a natural home for Syrah.

We have long loved the wines of the Northern Rhône, and after several vintages from this site we are convinced the Columbia Gorge is a world-class place to grow Syrah. Our aim is to preserve its acidity, avoid over-extraction, and make a full-bodied wine with enough nuance to pair with salmon.