Raptor Ridge sources from our estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountain AVA, Tuscowallame, along with a select of other Willamette Valley sites – up to 12 in a given vintage spanning multiple sub-appellations in the region. These long-term partnerships has given them more “ingredients” with which to blend and ultimately provide complexity in the winemaking style. Tuscowallame Vineyard is an 18-acre site planted to predominantly Pinot Noir plus one and a half acres of Grüner Veltliner. It is comprised of 13 separate blocks, each planted to different clones and rootstocks that address distinct soil characteristics. The word, Tuscowallame, is an indigenous word meaning “where the owls dwell.”
Since 1989, Scott Shull has been making Oregon wines—first as an independent producer, and since 1995 as a commercial winemaker at Raptor Ridge Winery. Scott strives to craft wines that are interesting to the palate and to the mind—wines of complexity, finesse and place. Born in Kentucky and raised in Des Peres, Missouri, Scott is a self-taught winemaker, having learned by doing, reading, and attending extension service courses on viticulture and enology offered by U.C. Davis, Oregon State University, and Chemeketa Community College, and by participating in the Willamette Valley’s Westside Winemakers Club for a number of years. Scott serves on the board of Oregon Pinot Camp. Previously, he has served as a board member of Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s Brand Oregon campaign; was a founding director of the Oregon Wine Board; and is president emeritus of the Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers Association.
The 2018 Barrel Fermented Rosé of Pinot Noir is an intentional stylistic departure from previous vintages, developing richness and texture from 100% neutral French oak barrels for 4 months. Produced using free-run and saignée methods from select lots across all our vineyards, this classical Provençal style Rosé is a light salmon color with floral notes. There were only 110 cases produced for this vintage.