2023 Worden Hill Vineyard, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Nestled high on Worden Hill in the heart of the Dundee Hills AVA, this vineyard sits in striking red Jory soil — a legacy of ancient volcanic fire, now weathered into enriched clay-loam that gives definition and nuance to every vine. The vines benefit from southwest-facing slopes that bask in generous daylight, yet the ever-present Pacific maritime influence of the valley keeps heat in check and ensures acid and freshness remain vibrant. The vineyard is farmed thoughtfully under biodynamic and organic principles, so every cluster speaks of place: wind-kissed, soil-fed, and quietly profound.

The 2023 Worden Hill Vineyard, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir invites you to slow down and listen. A delicate swirl reveals aromas of wild cherry, pomegranate, and cranberry lace, underpinned by rose petal, forest floor and a hint of spice that returns on the breeze. On entry the wine is lithe and alive — vibrant acidity carries red fruit across the palate, while fine-grained tannins give shape and structure. There is depth here: hints of black tea and a slight mineral undercurrent ground the elegance, reminding us this is not mere prettiness but purpose. The oak is elegant, perfectly judged, allowing the fruit and site to remain centre-stage. This is a Pinot Noir with poise — graceful, steady, expressive — a wine that will reward with some cellar patience.

We entrust the 2023 Worden Hill Vineyard, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir to the underwater sanctuary of Ocean Fathoms’ patented sea-cellar, where the Pacific’s steady rhythm and depth become a partner in refinement. In purpose-built steel cages submerged in pristine seawater, the wine experiences stable pressure, soft currents and gentle darkness — conditions that encourage integration rather than transformation. Through time beneath the waves, the oak and tannins begin to soften; the tension between fruit, acid and minerality begins to harmonise. Aromatic threads — wild cherry, rose petal, forest floor — melt into one another, while structure relaxes into a silky, cashmere-like texture. The result is a Pinot Noir that retains its vibrant fruit and minerality yet emerges with heightened terroir expression: the volcanic hillside, the maritime breeze, the hillside sun now softly amplified. The wine surfaces with elegance refined, depth enhanced and a drinkability that invites both immediate pleasure and thoughtful contemplation.