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Three Feathers Estate 2022 Pinot Gris
Qui Plantavit Curabit
High in the hills of the Laurelwood District AVA, you’ll find the Three Feathers Estate, the family passion of Christine Stimac and her two daughters, Elise and Cynthia.
It’s a gorgeous hilltop property, with a formal garden and a home designed by Christine’s architect husband, Victor. A 155-acre property, the vineyard sits between 700 and 1000 feet in the hills with views of Mt. St. Helens.
Christine and Victor moved to Oregon from Philadelphia in 1991 — “we chose to live here because everything grows here” — and after twenty years of extensive gardening and farming, Christine decided to start a winery.
A cousin of President Theodore Roosevelt, she named the winery for the three ostrich plumes that adorn the Roosevelt family crest found on the wines’ labels. The family motto is Qui Plantavit Curabit, or “he who plants shall gather.” (You might know it as “you reap what you sow.”) For Christine, Elise, and Cynthia, that family motto reflects their values of hard work, enterprise, and harvest. And indeed, the fruits of their labors are delicious.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Three Feathers Estate, Hillsboro, Oregon
2022 Pinot Gris
Here in Oregon, we take our access to Pinot Gris for granted. First planted in America in Oregon in 1965, the wine has become associated with Oregon, second-only to Pinot Noir.
Three Feathers Pinot Gris 2022, the third vintage, concluded a short and cool growing season. Yields were high and the maturity was perfect to produce a dry, medium-bodied wine with a fresh, minerality reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc. Planted in 2014, these vines have been pushing roots into the fine iron-rich Laurelwood soil for six years.
Picked at its peak and pressed right out of the field, our 2022 Pinot Gris was then aged in stainless steel to preserve and express fruit flavors and a light juicy acidity. Crisp and light, this medium-bodied Pinot Gris displays characteristic bright floral flavors with notes of citrus and green apple. There is great acidity here and a wonderful crisp, clean finish - maing it the perfect pairing to a great meal. Enjoy this wine on its own or with poultry, seafood, pasta or vegetarian dishes.
Soils of the Laurelwood District AVA
At the Northern end of the Willamette Valley Oregon, in the heart of the Chehalem Mountains, Three Feathers high-elevation vineyards are part of Oregon’s most recognized appellation of cool climate wines. Ancient marine soils and respectful farming practices result in rare wines that embody this distinctive region and each growing season. A passion for growing and commitment to authenticity contribute to our mission of creating the best Oregon wines that reflect our Terroir.
Terroir, or the combination of soil, location and climate, is what gives distinct flavor to grapes. Our vineyards may be young, but our Terroir was millions of years in the making as volcanoes, floods and primordial winds formed the Laurelwood soils. Very fine in texture and high in iron that gives a characteristic red color, these soils run deep and beneath them are huge boulders rolled over by the prehistoric Missoula floods. Today, natural springs form a year round aquifer which feeds a two-acre pond that we use for irrigation and relaxation; a peaceful spot to enjoy a respite from daily work.
Vineyard Notes
The 2022 growing season was short and cool with a later harvest in October. Wines are necessarily drier, giving our third vintage Pinot Gris a fresh, mineral flavor reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc.
Winemaker Notes
Picked at its peak and pressed right out of the field, our Pinot Gris was then aged in stainless steel to offer the best possible opportunity for the fruit to shine.
Production 200 cases Wine Specifications Vintage 2022 Varietal 100% Pinot Gris Appellation Willamette Valley Oregon AVA - Chehalem Mountains AVA - Laurelwood District AVA Clone 152 Harvest Date October 2022 Sugar Brix pH 3.30 Aging 6 months in Stainless Steel Bottling Date April 2023 Alcohol % 12
A Cellar 503 selection in November 2024, Gratitude Chehalem Mountains | Pinot Gris
