Noble Pig Vineyards

About

Come see us on Main Street in the adorable town of Carlton, Oregon. We will indulge your tasting experience with lovely wines and open your eyes to what foods pair well with our wines. You can also pick up your Noble Pig wine glasses, apparel, coffee cups and lots of other fun merchandise. You won't be disappointed!

Location Description

Located in the heart of McMinnville, Oregon.

Additional Information

  • Meeting / Conference Facilities:
  • Caves:
  • Wedding Facilities:
  • Picnic Facilities:
  • Dog Friendly:
  • Winery Tours:
  • Wine Tasting:
  • Art or Architecture:
  • Organic / Biodynamic:
  • Awards:
  • Wine Club:
  • Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:

The Team

Henry and I were avid wine enthusiasts in the late 1990's. It was during this time and our many trips to the Napa Valley that I became completely enamored and fascinated with the science and artistry of making wine. The dream of owning a winery and planting a vineyard seemed like just that, "a dream".

Our lives were entrenched in Southern California, Orange County area, where Henry practiced medicine as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. He had an amazing career as a devoted physician with an endearing bedside disposition. I couldn't imagine asking him to give that up so I, the quintessential "city-girl" and lover of all things "urban", could try my hand at farming and creating my own wine. It was an impossible fantasy, but one I thought of often.

However, just as you think life will never change, there are surprises around every corner. These "surprises" are not always ones you wish for, reminding us just how precious life and good health can be. Henry was suddenly diagnosed with Meniere's Disease, a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. Unable to continue working as a surgeon, he gave me his blessing and a big push to finally pursue the "winery-vineyard" dream I had only pondered in my mind, sometimes only in my dreams.

Without much contemplation and to the surprise of many, we pulled up roots, packing up our lives on the coast, along with our two young sons, Benjamin and Jonathan, and never looked back. We ended up in Northern California where I studied and received a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture & Enology from the University of California, Davis. To add insult to injury, it was during my time at Davis that Henry was also diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, another unfortunate hurdle we continue to deal with everyday.

However, this did not stop us from pursuing the path we had started. While at Davis, we extensivly searched the West Coast (California, Oregon & Washington) for a place we could call home. A place to cultivate a vineyard and craft elegant wines. It wasn't until we came to the Willamette Valley of Oregon that we knew we had found the perfect environment to rebuild our life. The beauty we have found in this rich agricultural region has been nothing short of an incredible experience and not to mention breathtakingly beautiful when you take the time to look around.

While this life and the fulfillment of my dream is bittersweet, as I would exchange it all for the good health of my husband, it does not overshadow the passion I, and we as a family, have for wine and being stewards of the land we were blessed to find.

Our passion for wine enhances our lives in many ways - through food, friendship and the many celebrations we share at our table. We can't wait to share it with you.

~"Wine to me is passion. It's family and friends. It's warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It's culture. It's the essence of civilization and the art of living...When I pour a glass of truly fine wine, when I hold it up to the light and admire its color,when I raise it to my nose and savor its bouquet and essence, I know that wine is, above all else, a blessing, a gift of nature, a joy as pure and elemental as the soil and vines and sunshine from which it springs."'

-Robert Mondavi, Harvests of Joy

Estate Vineyards / AVA

We saw potential in this 88-acre parcel of land that had until now been untouched by vines. The property, once covered in Douglas Fir, had been logged and left somewhat desolate, except for the many stumps sticking out of the ground.

Over a year's time was spent clearing roughly twelve acres of leftover logging debris and replanting and caring for the forest of Douglas Fir in areas of the property we are not currently growing grapes. In May 2010, four prized acres were put to vine with Pinot Noir clones Pommard, Dijon 777 and 115, now the youngest vineyard planted in the McMinnville AVA. This first block named simply, “King’s Table” showcases a unique combination of soils, microclimate and aspect. Our goal is to produce balanced, flavorful fruit that will be the foundation of our estate wines.

We hold a deep responsibility to safeguard the beauty and bounty of the land on which our grapes are grown. Even though we hold legal title to our property, we believe our ultimate roles are as caretakers or stewards who remain mindful of the impacts viticulture and winemaking can have on the environment. We want to leave this land healthy and productive for our children and future generations.

To remain conscious of our responsibilities we embrace sustainability and continue to look at ways to reduce water and energy use, minimize pesticide and herbicide use, build healthy soils, protect air and water quality while maintaining natural wildlife and vegetation habitats.

Our vineyard is located in the McMinnville AVA where a significant geological history has helped shape a highly complex and varied terroir. Fifty-five million years ago the Cascade Mountain lava flows and tectonic plate movements created the Coast Range Mountains which today keep our property in a protected weather shadow with rainfall lower than sites only twenty miles away. Our soils are primarily uplifted marine sedimentary loams and silts with a base of uplifting basalt. Harder rock and compressed sediments of basalt pebbles and stone are found under an average 20-40 inch soil depth, giving us a unique soil complexity on which to grow our grapes. Afternoon winds from the nearby coast help to control mold and mildew on the grapes during humid summer days.

As farmers we are constantly reminded of the power of mother nature and that she always has the final word. We look forward to our first estate harvest in three to four years and sharing the fruits of our labor with you. Thank you for supporting our family farm.

"As winemakers, our role is to preserve what mother nature gives you in the vineyard."

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Address

203 Main Street
Carlton, Oregon 97111
United States

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