WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY
Ken’s extensive experience in wine distribution and Erica’s background as a sommelier have shaped their broad perspective, giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in classic, benchmark wines. Studying the world’s greatest wines continues to sharpen their vision, reinforcing the standards they aspire to uphold. Their goal is to craft world-class wines that capture the depth and energy of the Willamette Valley.
Precision and attentiveness drive every decision. Each vintage is approached as a blank slate, free of dogma or recipes. By fermenting in small lots, Ken is able to engage intimately with each fermenter, making choices dictated by what the vineyard reveals. Crushing vs. whole cluster vs. destemming, coaxing native yeast fermentations vs. inoculating with a yeast strain, pumping over vs. pigeage, building textures, managing lees; every decision is intentional, shaped by the unique character of the vintage.
The best wines come from collaboration, curiosity, and an obsession with excellence. Every vintage, every vineyard, every mistake, and every conversation deepens our understanding. Winemakers, farmers, and peers from around the world continue to shape our thinking, reinforcing our belief that the pursuit of knowledge never stops. There is no endpoint—only the drive to make better wines every year.