Winemaker Robert Brittan, a wine industry veteran with the experience of over 45 harvests, has always had a passion for Pinot noir; a love affair that began in the 1980’s when he made several vintages under his Britt Hill label with fruit from Carneros. In 2004, Robert decided to leave Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa and start a Pinot noir project in the cool climate of the northern Willamette Valley.
Block notes
The three-acre, east facing Cygnus Block was planted in 2008 to the low-yielding Swan Selection of Pinot noir (the only single-selection block on the property). Unlike the rest of the vineyard, rows here are planted in an east/west orientation giving the block a different exposure to the sun and reducing the influence of the Van Duzer winds, which are channeled through the rows instead of across them. This block’s unique aspect, orientation, and selection create fresh, balanced, seamless wines brimming with red fruits.
Vintage notes
The 2021 vintage, despite some challenges, produced wines with intensity and richness. A mild winter was followed by a warm and dry spring. Summer brought warm temperatures with occasional heat spikes, including the June heat dome that caused some stress in the vineyard. Yields were significantly lower than normal, with some blocks producing less than one ton per acre. Harvest began onSeptember 17 and continued into early October, resulting in wineswith good balance and acidity
