“Rich, complex, distinctly styled wines”
Van Duzer Releases 2002 Vineyard-Designate Pinot Noirs

Willamette Valley, OR, August 24, 2004… Van Duzer Vineyards releases a trio of 2002 single-vineyard wines, Flagpole Block, Homestead Block and Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir, releases that represent a new benchmark for maturity across its 75-acre estate vineayrds. "Rich, complex, distinctly styled wines - yes," is the praise of AvolonWine.com's Jean Yates. "After years of hard work and patience, the wines are showing delightfully delicious results."

Five year of intense labor, precise agricultural practices and the most modern technology led to the achievement of a major goal in the growth of Van Duzer, that of producing high quality bottlings from the entire property. "We knew the vineyard had come into its own when we selected the single-vineyard designates and final estate blend last fall," said winemaker, Jim Kakacek.

Van Duzer Vineyard’s 2002 vintage single-vineyard Pinot Noirs represent various Pinot Noir clones and the unique attributes of each grape. The steep Flagpole Block, planted to the Wädenswil clone, produces a stellar crop of rich, earthy wine year in and year out. The Pommard fruit in Homestead Block showcases depth and purity of fruit. The premier release of the Dijon Blocks is blended from 3 out of 9 Dijon clones that boast enticing spice aromas and flavors. Three hundred cases of each wine were bottled at a retail price of $32.

The Flagpole Block is one-third acre of vineyard located on a steep slope at the entrance of the property. Named for the flagpole that stands at the top of the slope, the east-west row orientation combined with the slope allows for full sun exposure the entire day. The grapes from these vines produce exceptionally robust and rich fruit.

Homestead Block Pinot Noir is planted on a gentle slope where the original homestead of the property once stood. Burgundian Pommard vines have responded to the conditions of the elevated benchland site with remarkably concentrated flavors of dark cherry.

The 2002 Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir marks the first vintage of this wine. The Dijon clones from Burgundy are known to produce grapes that ripen earlier, allowing for more ‘hang time’ and more concentration of flavor. The Dijon Blocks consists of 3 out of 9 Pinot Noir clones grown on the estate chosen because of the unique attributes each brings to the wine.

About Van Duzer Vineyards
Van Duzer Vineyards is an Oregon family winery and 100% estate fruit operation in the Willamette Valley. Its vineyards in the foothills of the Van Duzer Corridor are the first to benefit each summer evening from maritime breezes. The cool microclimate stamps Van Duzer wines with a bright fruit character, generous complexity and pleasing balance. The Thoma family practices sustainable farming on the vineyard and has been endorsed by internationally recognized LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon Safe.

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