Oregon wine produced in the tradition and terroir of classic Burgundian varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a focus on balance over opulence. Gran Moraine wines showcase Winemaker Shane Moore’s tireless attention to detail in both the vineyard and the winery, which translates to precision and elegance in the bottle.
LIVE Certified (Low Input Viticulture & Enology).
Established in 2004 , contains the oldest marine sedimentary-based soils in the greater Willamette Valley, dating back 40-50 million years ago. The AVA resides on hillsides between 200 and 1000 feet in elevation, the “sweet spot” for growing premium Pinot Noir.
The planting of Gran Moraine was completed in 2005 with several of the best recognized Dijon clones for Pinot Noir (667, 777, 115) and Chardonnay (76, 75, 95), which were grafted to both 3309 and riparia, two well-known rootstocks that reduce vigor and promote maturity and physiological ripeness in the climatic conditions that prevail in the Willamette Valley. The clones, block sizes, and row directions were matched to the many mesoclimates on the property to maximize the potential throughout.
Gran Moraine takes its name from cataclysmic floods that occurred in the northern Willamette Valley of Oregon during the last ice age. As the glaciers receded they released a torrent of water from the once giant Lake Missoula. These famous Missoula Floods traveled across the Columbia basin helping to carve out the Columbia Gorge. The Willamette Valley became an extremely large temporary lake and was left with huge deposits of silt as well as giant boulders with origins in current British Columbia and Idaho. These are known by geologists as erratic rocks. These erratic rock outcroppings boldly manifest themselves throughout our vineyard. They were once part of the giant glacial dam’s moraine – what we refer to as the “Gran Moraine.”
The Yamhill-Carlton AVA status was granted in 2004 to distinguish fruit grown in the oldest marine sedimentary-based soils in the greater Willamette Valley. These soils and the growing conditions create wine with a profile that is distinct from that of wine from the surrounding AVAs in several significant ways. More specifically, the Pinot Noirs lean to black fruit, minerality, and floral—rose and violet—elements.
Extraordinary people are often found in special places. Such is the case with Shane Moore, Eugenia Keegan and Ken Kupperman. With perspective that comes from years spent in the world’s most famous wine regions, the management team of Shane, Eugenia and Ken bring international renown to the Willamette Valley. Their viticultural expertise and winemaking knowledge are matched with unbridled passion that help make Gran Moraine such a memorable place.
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