The Four Graces

The Four Graces

In 2003 Steve and Paula Black purchased vineyards in the Dundee Hills region of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Of the 16 hectares planted, 8 are farmed with a focus on non-invasive vineyard practices whilst the other 8 are farmed biodynamically. The hills which lie 45 kilometres south west of Portland and 65 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean are protected to the west by the Coastal Range, creating cool yet dry growing conditions for the production of Pinot Noir as well as Pinots Blanc and Gris. In addition, the vineyards are planted on a rich, volcanic soil mixed with silt, clay and loam providing excellent drainage. In the winery, fermentation and ageing is done in in stainless steel for the whites and in French oak (15% new) for the Pinot Noir. These are rich, complex wines where the fruit is elegantly expressed.

Oregon
United States

At The Four Graces, we have long been fascinated and inspired by the principles of sustainable growing.

Sustainable farming rests on the principle of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship of natural resources is a primary consideration, meaning we must maintain or enhance this vital resource base for the long term.

Here are some of the ways The Four Graces Practices Sustainable Farming:

Set aside approximately 50 percent of acreage for wildlife habitat, to promote biodiversity

Use leaf removal and canopy management to reduce insect pests and disease pressure as well as enhance the character and balance in the grapes by improving sunlight and air penetration

Plant cover crops and add organic matter to naturally replenish the soil with nitrogen and increase the diversity of flora and fauna while preventing erosion

Use a biodiesel fuel blend in farm equipment.

The Four Graces symbolizes our ‘Graces Tier’ featuring four of our wines that showcase the unique qualities of our Estate Vineyards.

Viticulture

The Willamette Valley runs for 150 miles following the Willamette River and is home to The Four Graces three estate vineyards. With the Cascade Mountains to the east, Coast Range mountains to the west, the region’s climate is especially suited for Pinot Noir and other cool climate grapes. Foley Family Estate Vineyard This estate vineyard has 110 acres nestled in the Red Hills of the Dundee Hills AVA in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Twenty acres of the vineyard are farmed sustainably through the L.I.V.E (low impact viticulture and enology) program and are LIVE certified. Weathergage Estate Vineyard This vineyard is 21 acres on a Southeast slope ranging from 260-380 feet elevation in the Van Duzer Corridor AVA. Consistent high wind speeds from the Pacific Ocean flow down the Van Duzer Corridor wind gap through the natural break in the Oregon Coast Range to the east end where our vineyard is located in low elevation rolling hills. Doe Ridge Estate Vineyard Our 90-acre site in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA has been carefully planned and developed, making the Doe Ridge Vineyard one of the most innovative in the Willamette Valley Of the 40 plus acres planted, 20 are farmed using sustainable agriculture with a focus on non-invasive viticulture practices.

Winemaking

The Four Graces is dedicated to the thriving varietals of the Willamette Valley, most notably Pinot Noir, as well Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. Our three sustainably farmed estate vineyards are located in the Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton and Van Duzer Corridor AVAs: all distinctly different which allow each of our wines to speak to its terroir. Graces Tier Wines Winemaking at The Four Graces is all about conveying a sense of place. Pinot Noir especially reflects the attributes of where it’s grown and how it’s farmed. We have created our Graces Tier of wines to showcase the unique qualities of our Estate Vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Each of our “Four Graces” in this series highlights the climate, land and fruit characteristics of the individual vineyards and the Pinot Noir that is grown there.

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