continued from page 7 has learned what pruning methods work best, how to process the grapes to make wine and much more. “We know we can’t do the same things they do in other regions in Oregon to manage the vineyards and make wine,” Damon said. “We have defined what cold hardy grapes prosper in Central Oregon that allow us to make high quality wine.” Instrumental in managing Redside Ranch’s vineyard, Damon believes the gold medal earned by Redside Ranch shows what is possible. “Our challenge is educating people about the varietals we are successfully growing. The grapes grown here, and the wines being made each have the characters of the climate and soils. The terroir of Central Oregon is so much more different.” Central Oregon may be one of the most challenging climates agriculturally to grow grapes because of the shorter growing season, and the temperature swings. “We chose to grow the cold hardy hybrid grapes in Central Oregon because they have late bud break, a rapid accelerated growth and an early ripening cycle,” he said. “We can have bud break in mid-May and harvest by the end of September.” Every place he has worked in California, Washington and Oregon has had its own challenges. “I have always looked at a place for its potential and learned how to maximize that potential. It takes dedication, collaboration, passion and a pioneering spirit to achieve a region’s potential,” Damon said. “I don’t listen when people say that can’t happen, instead I look at what can be done to make it happen.” He predicts Central Oregon will be recognized as a wine growing region in Oregon, just as the Umpqua, Columbia Valley and Rogue Valley have. “That’s our eventual future,” he added. “Success is at hand for all of us.” Redside Ranch The honors belong to Redside Ranch Vineyard Manger and Ranch Manager Ryder Redfield and Elixir Winemaker Christopher Kirk Ermisch. But the celebrations are reverberating throughout Central Oregon’s wine and vineyard community. The gold medal earned by Redside Ranch’s 2019 Marquette is vindication award-winning wines can be made from grapes grown in Central Oregon, especially since many vineyard owners were told it couldn’t be done. Redside Ranch Manager Ryder Redfield and Vineyard Manager Kerry Damon celebrate winning a gold medal for the Redside Ranch 2019 Marquette. 2019 Wine: 2019 Redside Ranch. | Photos by Kristine Thomas
Damon is both honored and amazed Redside Ranch in Terrebonne won a gold medal in its first competition, adding the recognition from the vineyard’s harvest is a tribute to the partnership between the vineyard managers and the winemaker.
“This recognition will help establish Central Oregon as the next place to grow grapes and make wine. This gold medal is a tribute to the pioneering spirit and the work being done by many people to establish Central Oregon as a winegrowing region,” Damon said. “We are a close community of winery and vineyard owners here, so it benefits us all.” Damon said Marquette is a natural fit to Central Oregon’s terroir. “Marquette is well-suited for the unique, high desert climate of Central Oregon much like its cousin, Pinot Noir, is suited for the greater Willamette Valley,” Damon said. Describing Redside Ranch Vineyard as a “passion project,” Redfield said the ranch is owned by his cousin, Kris Kibak. “When Kris purchased the ranch, there was already a small vineyard,” Redfield shared. “When we first worked with Kerry to expand the vineyard, we decided to make wine to give to family and friends.” Redfield said his first indication the Marquette’s quality was when he shared it with friends who live in Sonoma, California. “They normally drink vinifera wine made in California,” he said. “They thought our Marquette was incredible. That was really good feedback.” Redfield said there are currently five acres of Marquette grapes, with another acre being planted in June. With the vineyard’s expansion, they are predicting 12
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May 2021 | www.CascadeAE.com
