Rows of Grape Vines in Rolling Hills, Morning Light in Fall Season

Three Feathers Estate 2017 Grape Harvest

The year in the vineyard has come to a close.  The grapes are picked, sorted, de-stemmed and nestled in their vats at Lady Hill Winery where they are on the road to becoming the 2017 Vintage Three Feathers Pinot Noir.

It has been a year of difficult decisions and challenges, but in many ways a perfect season for growing.  Early in 2017 we decided that our 3 year old blocks needed to be pruned back to delay their fruiting until they were more mature.  The 4 year old block was reduced to unilateral vines to limit production and increase the quality of the fruit.  This meant less fruit, but the result was earlier ripening and less work thinning.

The season started cool and two weeks later than 2016, but from early June until the end of September there was little rain and slightly higher temperatures with occasional spikes of hot weather.  The vines were tended weekly to prevent disease, train growth and give proper nutrients and water.

The result of all this work culminated October 3rd.  Brix were measured at 23.4, acid at 3.23 and it was time to pick!  A small team of workers assembled by our staff gathered at 7:30 am in the mist.  It was a perfect Full Moon day.  Warm and clear.

Becca harvesting grapes at Three Feathers Vineyard, Chehalem Mountain, Oregon

As the day went on and temperatures rose, premium grapes were picked into IKEA laundry baskets and dumped into winery bins.

It was clear as the fruit came off the vines and into the bins that all of our work throughout the year had paid off and we had a beautiful crop of Pinot noir grapes.

Good work 3F Crew!
Home Team: Christine, Victor, David and Scott
Visiting Team: Elise, François, Colin, Oscar and Felix
Pinch hitters (pickers): Becca, Mike, Tallon, Jerico, Austin and Damon

Fall colors over Three Feathers Vineyard in Chehalem Mountain, Willamette Valley, Oregon