A stellar blend of Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne, uniting to create a harmonious and seamless blend. Light and lively, it opens with aromas of orange blossom, fresh mango, and pineapple. Mineral-tinged fresh tropical fruits continue through the finish with a vibrance that works equally well with dinner or on the deck.
From Cowhorn: “Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden is located in the Applegate Valley appellation of southern Oregon. Our 117-acre property is just a few miles north of the California border, alongside the Upper Applegate River. About 25 acres are planted to wine grapes.
Our estate is different from most others, in important ways. To start with, we chose grape varieties that are historically associated with the Rhône River wine region of France: Syrah and Grenache for reds and Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne for whites. While our latitude is a bit lower than the Rhône, and our growing season is shorter, other qualities are similar, especially to Châteauneuf-du-Pape: river-side bench-land with little rain, hot summers, and rocky soils that don’t hold much water. The folks in the Châteauneuf region obviously figured out which grape varieties excel under these conditions, because their wine has been famous (and fabulous) for a long time. So even though these varieties are not as widely planted in America, they’re right at home in our estate vineyard.
Cowhorn is certified as a Biodynamic farm and winery. You can think of Biodynamic farming as ‘organic 2.0’: all the goodness of organics, plus more. We don’t use anything synthetic, toxic or harmful. Instead we build up the soil with micronutrients, allow beneficial plants to grow between the vine rows, and encourage other creatures to live in and around the vineyard.
There are not many certified Biodynamic vineyards in the U.S., and fewer certified wineries. Our nature-focused farming and winemaking contribute to the many dimensions of richness and complexity in our wine.”
Cowhorn founders Bill and Barbara Steele each succeeded in the finance industry before launching Cowhorn in 2002. Bill's research background has clearly contributed to a thoughtful approach to winemaking while Barbara's several years working with organic farms in California helped to develop their vision for a model agricultural business that enhances the earth and enriches the local community.