Biodynamically farmed Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier will be harvested first for sparkling wine production
September 5, 2024 — Vineyard stewards at Domaine Willamette, Oregon’s first facility dedicated to making méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine, will begin their first pick of sparkling grapes for the 2024 season at the biodynamically certified Bernau Estate Vineyard.
The first pick occurred Thursday, September 5, at 7 am at Domaine Willamette, at Bernau Estate Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. The vines at Bernau Estate Vineyard are farmed using biodynamic techniques. The original 15 acres of Pinot Noir were planted in 1994 and in 2019, the vineyard crew added nine acres of Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In 2022, the crew planted 1.64 acres of Chardonnay.
Harvest officially begins at Domaine Willamette’s Bernau Estate Vineyard with a first pick of biodynamically-farmed Pinot Noir, followed by Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Depending on the weather, the crew may pick all of the sparkling fruit on Thursday, or may save some for Friday morning.
“We are expecting an excellent harvest season this year if Mother Nature allows. The vines and grapes look great,” Terry Culton, Director of Winemaking and Vineyards. This year’s growing conditions were cooler, with a little rain in the summer, which delayed harvest by a week. “The warmer weather over Labor Day weekend allowed for sparkling grapes to fully develop and ready to harvest,” said Culton.
Bernau Estate Vineyard received its Demeter biodynamic certification last year, a recognition of the vineyard’s practice of sustainable, wholesome agriculture based on an agricultural course given by Rudolph Steiner (1924). Biodynamic farming promotes clean air by sequestering carbon in the soil and uses no chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Wine enthusiasts can look forward to enjoying Willamette’s sustainable 2024 sparkling wine vintage after several years of maturation.
Domaine Willamette
Founded in 2022 by Jim and Jan Bernau, Domaine Willamette produces world-class méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines with an underground aging cellar at the biodynamically-farmed Bernau Estate Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. The winery features 26 acres of biodynamically farmed Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. In addition to having a Demeter certification for its vineyard, all of the vines are certified sustainable through LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon-Safe programs.
