Amity, Oregon November 30, 2023 – After 13 years of focusing on managing client’s vineyard properties in the northern Willamette Valley in Oregon, Jessica Cortell, launches her own wine brand, the Cortell Collection. Cortell founded her vineyard management business, Vitis Terra Vineyard Services, in 2010 during the recession and has built it up to a highly regarded management company focusing on organic and regenerative agriculture practices. Her original intent was to make wine from the grapes she planted at her Carlile’s Crest Vineyard starting in 2011, however, between teaching at Chemeketa Community College and building a vineyard management business, there wasn’t enough time.
In 2020, when a buyer canceled on purchasing Pinot noir grapes at her Cortell Rose Vineyard she jumped into the wine side of the business. She produced a structured and bright Pinot noir blanc. In 2021, a rosé of Pinot noir and a Pinot noir were made from Carlile’s Crest Vineyard. Carlile’s Crest grapes have typically been part of the blend in Antica Terra wines. In 2022, Gamay noir wine was also made and was given the name Jessica’s Jam due to her hands on approach with that wine.
The label design is based on a photo of an Oregon White Oak tree out in a field of yellow mustard. In typical fashion, she pulled over and took a picture. The photo is on the back label and signed prints are available for purchase along with other pictures she has taken while traveling around the Willamette Valley managing numerous vineyards. The “Cortell Collection” lettering on the front of the label is her own personal lettering. The Oregon White Oak on the label is also symbolic of her concern for protecting Oregon oaks.
The 2021 Carlile’s Crest Pinot noir is a lovely true to variety wine from high elevation blocks in the Eola Amity Hills AVA. The vineyard is farmed organically and with regenerative agriculture practices going back many years. No cultivation has been done since 2016. Kunekune pigs are used for grazing the vineyard. Certification will be coming soon.
In 2022 and 2023, production was increased, and wines were made with Andrew Riechers who was the assistant winemaker at Antica for 5 years prior to currently making wine for Audeant. Spring releases will include additional Pinot noir and Chardonnay wines. She is also collaborating with Kenny and Allison McMahon of Oregon Sparkling Wine to make traditional method sparkling wine from both Chardonnay and Pinot noir, however, those will not be released for several years.
The Collection will include other wines that strike her curiosity with the idea of having surprises along the way. These one-off wines will be used as fund raisers to help support sustainable and social equity causes. At the Cortell Rose Vineyard, more Gamay noir, Trousseau noir, Chardonnay, several Pinot noir clones and Sauvignon blanc have been planted. Additional whites for future plantings will include Aligote, Chenin blanc, Albarino or others.
She and Chris O’Connell, her General Manager, plan to launch the Cortell Collection Community soon which will be a wine membership focused on building community through sharing fine wines, experiencing amazing local foods, participating in learning opportunities on various wine and sustainability related topics as well the chance to improve plant, animal and human communities through volunteer activities. The goal is to grow the community and contribute to positive change with a sense of curiosity and intrigue around every corner.
To purchase wines, join the Cortell Collection Community or for more information, go to cortellcollection.com or email info@cortellcollection.com
