Life with Maggie – Part 2
We last talked to Maggie about 3 years ago, just after she had embarked on her new venture at Antica Terra winery and vineyard, in Oregon. After working with Manfred and Elaine Krankl at Sine Qua Non for the better part of a decade, as well as starting her own label for California Syrah, Maggie was now (literally) knee deep into Oregon Pinot Noir.
The history of Oregon’s Antica Terra Wines began when a group of four individuals, including winemaker Maggie Harrison, purchased the winery in 2005 and two years later planted additional acres of Pinot noir, with more planting planned for 2008. The new winery came on-line in 2009. She purchases fruit from Shea, Cherry Grove, and Croft Vineyards to expand her palette of components.
For her own label, Lillian, a small lot collection named for her grandmother, Maggie is sourcing Syrah from a couple of Santa Maria Valley vineyards.
Join us as we talk with Maggie Harrison, about her approach to winemaking, her current project in Oregon, Antica Terra, and her Lillian label.
For more info: Antica Terra Wines: www.anticaterra.com
For more info: Lillian Winery: www.lillianwinery.com
Sponsor: Pinpoint Technologies – Your Business List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com
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Brian – I think it was you who asked about Chardonnay in Oregon? Wente Chardonnay is somewhat ill-suited to Oregon (originating from Livermore, California) but can make beautiful wines in our cool climate. To my understanding there are only about 10 acres of old Wente plantings remaining in the northern Willamette Valley. Wente plantings have been displaced by Dijon clones of Chardonnay for three reasons: Yields (I average about 1.5 tons per acre from my older Wente plantings some years even less, Dijon clones can double that), ripening (while the Dijon clones ripen early; we picked my Wente Chardonnay on November 2nd in 2011 and it has pretty much always been my last pick), and price (for most of us it is easier to cover costs on pinot noir or even Dijon clone Chardonnay than Wente Chardonnay). But if you look at the top Chardonnays from Oregon most of them are Wente.
Hi Todd
Interesting information I was unaware of. Thanks for sharing. Who makes Wente based Chardonnay other than Longplay?
Rusty
Hi Rusty,
The Rex Hill 2009 “Old Vine” Chardonnay is 30 year-old Wente Selection and retails for $78. Crowley’s Chardonnay is mostly Wente. Bethel Heights’ estate bottling (Maggie’s vineyard source) is a about 1/3 Wente. Bergstrom previously sought out Wente for his Sigrid (although I think he has given up on finding it – he used to buy from me and Bethel Heights). I sell half of my Chardonnay to J. Christopher – Jay loves it despite the low yields, but he blends it and has called it his “secret sauce.” A couple years ago Nancy Ponzi told me that she loves Wente and their Reserve Chardonnay was largely Wente (although I think that may have changed based on recent tech sheets). The Rex Hill notes indicate that their sources were ripped out after 2009 vintage – I’ll ask them about their fruit source. The USDA NASS report from a couple years ago is where I learned there were only 10 acres remaining, might be less now.
- Todd