Grapevines are scavengers. Of both the sky and the soil searching for sunlight and nutrients respectively. The Domaine sits on top of a geological collision, millions of years in the making.
The base of our soil profile is marine sedimentary. This is ancient seafloor that was pushed form the depths of the sea over 40 million years ago. It is flaky soil that holds little water and nutrients.
The rest of our profile is Missoula Flood soil. This is an alluvial (meaning “water moved” in soil speak) clay that was swept down the Columbia River basin and subsequently the Willamette Valley at the end of the last ice age, around 14,000 years ago. This soil is what helps to make the Willamette Valley a fertile agricultural basket, by holding onto nutrients and inputs well.
Our combination of soils feeds and supports our vines, while also stressing them just enough to forge their own path. Vines that encounter adversity develop complexity and distinction in their fruit.