what's past is prologue
“The Evening Land” has long been a symbol of the dream quest for the perfect garden. From ancient Greek myth to now, the search for The Evening Land is synonymous with adventure and romance that inevitably leads to the extremes of America's West Coast.
Evening Land Vineyards has brought together a collection of pinot noir and chardonnay vineyards in the three great growing regions of the American West. From the Eola Hills in Oregon's Willamette Valley, to the true Sonoma Coast in the town of Occidental, California and ending on the western lip of Santa Barbara County's Santa Rita Hills, Evening Land organically farms over 120 acres of heritage vineyards that produce 13 Estate wines imbued with this unique spirit of place. An orchestrated mix of old vine own rooted Oregon and California heritage clones, cuttings from the great established pinot noir and chardonnay vineyards of Burgundy and an experimental block of pinot noir grown from seed, the Vineyards of the Evening Land present a vivid view of Burgundy’s legendary grapes raised in the amazing diversity of America’s climate and soil.
The opportunity to acquire great vineyard sites in three diverse climates gave us a rare opportunity to explore the sensitivity of pinot noir and chardonnay as it thrives in the red volcanic dirt of Oregon, the fog wrapped ridges of Sonoma and the windswept mountains of decomposed sea shells of the Santa Rita Hills. Soil and climate diversity make their mark on Evening Land wines, creating those delicious differences that are the hallmark of fine pinot noir and chardonnay.
Blue Labels
The Blue Label wines are our "climate" wines. Setting our compass to the
East in Burgundy; the north for Oregon's Willamette Valley; to the West on
the true Sonoma Coast; and, finally South to the western edge of the Santa
Rita hills---the Blue Label wines provide a window into the sensitivity of
pinot noir and chardonnay to these unique climates.
Wines from this category:
2008 Oregon Pinot Noir
2008 California Pinot Noir
2008 Burgundy Chardonnay Pouilly Fuisse
October Release:
2009 Oregon Pinot Noir
2009 California Pinot Noir
2009 Burgundy Chardonnay
2009 Burgundy Pinot Noir
2009 Burgundy Chardonnay Pouilly Fuisse
2009 Burgundy Pinot Noir Clos de la Maison Blanche
Silver Labels
Narrowing our focus, our Silver Label wines represent our "village" wines.
They retain the impact of their climate coupled with the unique topography
and soil characteristics of their specific villages.
Wines from this category:
2007 Seven Springs Pinot Noir, Eola Amity Hills, OR
2007 Occidental Coast, Carl Myers Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA
2008 Occidental Coast, Occidental Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA
Gold Labels
These are our signature monopole estate wines. These wines provide a
singular capture of each vineyard's unique climate, topography, soil, plant
material, farming practices and winemaking. Terroir in its most complete
expression.
Wines from this category:
2007 Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, OR
2007 Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills, OR
2008 Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, OR
2008 Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills, OR
2007 Two Daughters Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, CA
White Labels
When a special and very specific place within the vineyard produces a fruit of such spectacular character that it calls for it’s own cuvee, we give it a White Label. These are the pinnacle examples of the vineyard’s best self.
Wines from this category:
2007 Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Pinot Noir, Eola -Amity Hills, OR
2007 Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Chardonnay, Eola -Amity Hills, OR
2008 Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Chardonnay, Eola -Amity Hills, OR
2008 Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, The Red Queen, Eola -Amity Hills, OR
2005 Occidental Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA
2006 Occidental Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA
2007 Occidental Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA
2008 Occidental Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, CA
Sonoma Coast
Occidental, Carl Myers and Two Daughters Vineyards
The Occidental Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, California (3.5 acres); The Two Daughters Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, California (7 acres).
In 2005, Evening Land acquired the Occidental Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast overlooking the Pacific. Although the vineyard is only 3.5 acres, its elevation of 1,000 feet and its direct exposure to the sea give Occidental Vineyard all the qualities that challenge a grape to brave the elements and bear great fruit. The first crop from Occidental was of such compelling quality that Evening Land decided to expand on the Sonoma Coast. In 2006, two more vineyards were added; both on Taylor Lane on The Occidental Coast: Two Daughters Vineyard and Carl Myers.
Willamette Valley
Seven Springs Vineyard
Seven Springs Vineyard, Eola Amity Hill, Willamette Valley, Oregon. 100 acres of Pinot Noir—mix of own rooted and grafted—Chardonnay and America’s first planting (1983) of Gamay Noir."
The next stop in the quest was to Oregon and the legendary Seven Springs Vineyard in the Eola Hills. Evening Land reunited a vineyard that had been split into two (The Seven Springs Vineyard at the top and Anden at the lower portion). Now, at 80 acres, it is by far the largest of the Evening Land Vineyards with old vines and new plantings. It takes advantage of the potentials of mixing and blending parts of the vineyard as well making two micro-cuvees off of tiny specific portions of the vineyard that lie on a volcanic cross on the belly of the Seven Springs Hill.
Santa Rita Hills
Siren’s Call, One Tree Hill, Bloomsfield and Memorious Vineyards
Four Vineyards: Siren’s Call (3 acres), One Tree Hill (50 acres), Bloomsfield (8 acres), Memorious (6 acres), all producing benchmark Pinot Noirs indicative of our southernmost terroir.
Evening Land proceeded south to the westernmost edges of the Santa Rita Hills where there were no vineyards but the land had a seductive appeal. It is the epitome of Western wine adventure and at 40 acres of all new plantings it has pinot noir of great promise. It also houses experimental vineyards where Evening Land maintains a group of “heirloom” vines grown from seed.
Farming and winemaking techniques in each of the Evening Land Vineyards are deployed to align the wines closely with each of the individual and unique terroirs. In Oregon, consulting winemaker Dominique Lafon leads winemaker Isabelle Meunier and her winery and vineyard team employing his unique vision springing from his 25 years as the winemaker at one of Burgundy’s legendary Estates. Shaped by these Burgundian traditions, Sashi Moorman leads his team in the winery and the vineyards to produce elegant and rich wines from both Sonoma and Santa Rita.
“The first vintage, 2007, produced a stunning
pair of Chardonnays, which I rated 94 and 93 points. Their balance, power and
distinct minerality mark them as turning points for Oregon, great wines and
influential over other producers of Chardonnay. Because the 2007 vintage was
more of a challenge for Pinot Noir, these Chardonnays quickly overshadowed
Evening Land’s first-release Pinots.”
"Gorgeous and immaculate. Showcases Russian River/Sonoma Coast Pinot at its
finest, with superb acidity, ultra-refined tannins and flavors of grilled blackberries,
cherry pie filling, cola, crushed black pepper, cinnamon, anise and smoky,
caramelized sandalwood. As rich as it is, there's an elusive quality, with hints of
wild game and an undefinable forest floor. Beautiful now and through 2015."
“When a winery is first designated a W&S Winery of the year, it’s usually the product of several vintages, lots of hard work, some trial and error, some growth and maturation. This year, EVENING LAND, nailed the award in its third vintage.”
"A terrific Pinot, and one of the few that absolutely demands cellaring. The
tannic structure is enormous, providing a sandpapery dryness to the palate. Yet
the flavor explosion is so powerful, you can enjoy it now with utter satisfaction.
Erupts in grilled blackberry and cherry, Dr. Pepper cola, bacon, anise, sautéed
wild mushrooms and smoky sandalwood flavors, leading to a spicy finish that
continues for a full minute. Only 115 cases were produced. Drink now -2017."
“2007 Evening Land Vineyards La Source Chardonnay Springs Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills ($75) A boldly made Chardonnay from one of the state's most refined vineyards, now part of Marc Tarlov's Evening Land project. Faint toast hints move to slippery stone and lemon zest, with cool nectar fruit and a rich, waxy texture. A quiet opulence is at work, in need of decanting or age. A new benchmark Chardonnay from the Northwest."
“Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines reviewed over the previous 12 months and select our Top 100, based on quality, value, availability and excitement. Since 2009 was a year of economic retrenchment, we focused closely on value to choose our newest list from more than 17,000 wines.”
"Feels rich and refined in the mouth, with a structure than announces itself
immediately. Crisp acidity and very fine tannins frame remarkably complex
flavors of grilled cherries, red currents, cola, caramelized sandalwood and
peppery spices, leading to a long dry finish. Terrific now, and should develop
through 2013."
"2008 Evening Land Celebration Gamay Noir, Eola-Amity Hills ($20) From an esteemed Oregon parcel, this is a new contender for American Gamay. The cherry and wild strawberries, plus a bay-leaf crunch and forest-floor aromas, are right on point. And there's backbone to let it compete with good cru Beaujolais."
“Like fine Burgundies these wines are not cheap. But if you feel ready to be picked up by your shirt collar and slapped in the face by what the Willamette valley is capable of, they are a worthwhile investment.”
Purchase
Nulla ultricies ornare erat, a rutrum lacus varius nec. Pellentesque vehicula lobortis dignissim. Ut scelerisque auctor eros sed porttitor. Nullam pulvinar ultrices malesuada. Quisque lobortis bibendum nisi et condimentum. Mauris quis erat vel dui lobortis dignissim.