Harvested Pinot Noir about to get processed.
My third week as a Harvest Intern was the most busy and intense yet as the balance of the fruit was brought in. At the peak of harvest, when the fruit is coming in from the vineyard, time is of the essence and the effort is at its max.
The grapes need to be handled quickly and efficiently to preserve their quality. As soon as the fruit arrives at the winery, it’s essential to move it into the next stage of processing—whether it’s sorting, destemming, or crushing—before it begins to warm up or ferment prematurely.
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Aaron & Tracy Kendall.
In life, they say nothing is certain, but in the world of wine, few things come as close to a sure bet as two accomplished winemakers teaming up for their own project. The duo we’re discussing happen to be husband and wife Aaron and Tracy Kendall. Aaron was the assistant winemaker at Beaux Freres, now head winemaker at Compris Vineyard, and Tracy was the associate winemaker at Nicolas-Jay.
After recently purchasing an established vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, together they bring a wealth of wine expertise to their own project, Folly of Man.
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Just one of the many incredible views at Ghost Hill Cellars.
Deep in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where rolling hills are blanketed with lush vineyards and the air is perfumed with the scent of ripening grapes, lies a winery shrouded in legend and steeped in tradition: Ghost Hill Cellars. This unique vineyard not only produces excellent Pinot Noir but also offers a story as rich and intriguing as its wines.
The name “Ghost Hill” isn’t just a catchy moniker; it carries a spine-tingling tale that has been passed down through generations.
A cross marking where the miner’s horse’s bones were found.
According to local legend, in the late 1800s, a miner traveling through the area struck gold on what is now Ghost Hill Cellars. Tragically, the miner met an untimely end before he could claim his fortune, and it’s said that his restless spirit still roams the hill, guarding his hidden treasure. On misty mornings and moonlit nights, locals have reported eerie sights and sounds, adding an extra layer of mystique to this already enchanting location.
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Last year we had the pleasure of sitting down with Moe Momtazi, founder of the highly respected Momtazi Vineyards and critically acclaimed Maysara Winery in Oregon’s northern Willamette Valley.
Tahmiene Momtazi.
We learned the story of the their humble beginnings and how Moe and his wife Flora’s journey truly defied the odds beyond any winery story we’ve heard to date.
They fled their native Iran on motorcycles during the revolutionary period of the early 1980s seeking political asylum in the United States. As they outran Iranian authorities they initially reached Madrid, Spain; Flora 8 months pregnant with their eldest daughter Tahmiene. That daughter is now the winemaker at Maysara since 2007. A mother herself to two young children, Tahmiene Momtazi’s journey in both wine and parenthood has now come full circle.
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Maysara is truly a gem in what is now an incredibly good Oregon wine scene.
Moe Momtazi.
Moe Momtazi and his wife Flora started this vineyard and winery under the most improbable of circumstances. They fled their native Iran during the revolutionary period of the early 1980s, literally escaping the country on motorcycles while being chased by the authorities, making it into the United States by filing for political asylum. Flora was 8 months pregnant.
Once in the US, they settled in Texas where Moe had previously obtained his engineering degree and Moe joined an engineering firm. He eventually created his own engineering firm and ultimately sold it which allowed them to move to Oregon and pursue their passion: to make great wine.
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