Our Vineyards
Larkins Estate Vineyard
In February of 2006, Wine By Joe, LLC became one of the largest vineyard holders in the state of Oregon. Our 214-acre estate vineyard is located in the Eola Hills/Amity AVA (American Viticulture Area), in the Willamette Valley’s Polk County, approximately 10 miles west of Salem.
The vineyard site has a cool coastal influence due to the late afternoon, summertime breezes blowing through the Van Duzer Corridor from the Pacific Ocean approximately 45 miles to the west. The cool breezes during the height of the warm summer affects ripening by allowing for longer hang time in the vineyard for full maturity of flavors, fruitiness and overall complexity.
The vineyard encompasses eastern facing elevations from 203 to 328 feet and western facing elevations from 208 to 320 feet.
The vineyard was planted with Pommard and Wadenwille clones of Pinot noir in 1988. Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and additional Pinot Noir were planted in 1989. The most recent planting took place in 2004 and 2005 to bring the total planted acres to 189; comprised of 80 acres of Pinot Noir, 82 Pinot Gris and 27 Pinot Blanc.