2022 Arterberry Maresh Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

ABOUT THIS WINE

A classic Dundee Hills drinking beautifully now. Red plum, cinnamon, raspberry liqueur. Seamless red nectar hits a wall of fine tannin. Has the high toned concentration of fruit leather at under 13%.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

A view lot in the country is what Loie and Jim Maresh Sr. were seeking in 1959 when they found a 27-acre hilltop farm for sale in the Red Hills of Dundee. The owner refused to sell a view lot only, so Loie and Jim courageously bought the whole farm.

The Maresh Farm was eventually expanded to over 140 acres as adjacent farms were put up for sale. It was Dick Erath who convinced Jim Sr. and Loie to plant Pinot Noir in 1970 in what would become the fifth oldest vineyard in Oregon and the first vineyard on Worden Hill Road.

The Maresh family has had a long and memorable presence in the Dundee Hills. In 1980 Jim and Loies daughter, Martha, married Fred Arterberry, Jr. who was one of the first winemakers in Oregon to have a degree in fermentation science from the University of California at Davis. Fred Arterberry was one of the early pioneer winemakers the 1970s and produced many highly acclaimed wines from the Maresh Vineyard. In 1983 Martha and Fred had a son, Jim. His fathers winery label Arterberry closed upon Freds death in 1990. Beginning in 2005 Jim founded his own winery, Arterberry Maresh.

Raised on his familys farm since he was born has given Jim a strong connection to and appreciation of the Red Hills of Dundee. He knows the vineyards, the neighbors and the various seasons and vintages that challenge and reward each grape grower and winemaker. His is a deep history of family, farming and winemaking. His wines reflect that heritage and the experience of three generations farming since 1959.