The Wine

Millions of years ago, western Oregon was on the floor of the ocean and what was to become the Willamette Valley began as ancient seabeds, suppressed between two emerging mountain ranges. From its dramatic uprising alongside eruptive volcanoes and glacial floods, our region’s prehistoric marvels make up the bedrock of our 2018 “Bamm Bamm” Pinot Noir sourced from Eola Hills’ Legacy Estate Vineyard.

Oligocene-era marine fossils (oysters, clams, mussels, sea urchins and snails) uncovered during the planting of our glibly named 16-acre Fossil Block are emblematic of the rich geological history of this site. Truly a legacy estate, the land tells a tale that we hope our wine will reveal with its complex layers, elegant fruit profile, polished mineral structure and triumphant depth of flavor.

Inspired by the unique Oligocene-era marine fossils uncovered in the Fossil Block of our Legacy Estate Vineyard, this 2018 Auction Wine denotes our fascinating geological history which formed the literal bedrock that helped us form a philosophical bedrock for our brand and the terroir behind our wine. As this exclusive Pinot noir packs a pretty punch, we found “Bamm Bamm” a fitting and winsome name. Light on its feet with accents of sea salt, muddled cherries and vanilla bean, this approachable Pinot builds upon a base of ripe blueberries and earthy undertones with soft layers of expressive red fruits. An electric mineral component provides for lasting complexity.

Vintage Profile: A warmer than average growing season with low rainfall made for a slow and steady harvest and presented fruit with hallmarks of a stunning Oregon vintage.

Fossil Block Rocks: Glacial floods, lava flows and ancient seabeds gave rise to this rocky, fossil-rich slope in our Legacy Estate Vineyard, where Pinot noir vines are cooled each night by the ocean’s tempering winds.

Legacy Estate Vineyard Profile: The vineyard can be found just south of the 45th parallel north on a southwest-facing slope, with views toward Monmouth and the Coast Range. We employ sustainable viticultural practices and emphasize the gentle handling of fruit. The soils at Legacy Estate Vineyard are mixed, a result of the region’s geologic history of volcanic activity, ancient seabeds, glacial and sedimentary flood deposits. Soils include Jory, Chehulpum, Hazelair, Hemick, Nekia, McAlpin, Ritner and Steiwer. The vineyard was planted in 2008.

Fossil Block Soil Profile: Chehulpum, Steiwer, Hazelair

Legacy Estate Vineyard Elevation: 350–850 feet
Fossil Block Elevation: 500–700 feet

The Winery

Eola Hills Wine Cellars founder Tom Huggins, an Oregonian and former agricultural insurance specialist, launched our legacy with his first planting in 1982. Today, we remain locally owned and operated. Rooted in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA within the esteemed Willamette Valley, we own and manage more than 300 acres of sustainable, dry-farmed vineyards. Longtime Winemaker Steve Anderson crafts palate-friendly wines that reflect the mild, maritime climate combined with our region’s mineral-rich soils to perfectly capture the spirit and flavors of Oregon. With two tasting rooms offering the rustic cellar experience and scenic vineyard views respectively, visit us to experience our award-winning wines.

Learn more about Eola Hills Wine Cellars
Follow: @eolahills

All wine is sold FOB the location of the winery that produced the lot purchased. WVWA is not responsible for shipping wine. Shipping or delivery arrangements, expenses and insurance are the sole responsibility of the purchaser. Any shipment of wines out-of-state is the responsibility of the purchaser, who is solely responsible for compliance with the laws and regulations of said state.

The producing winery currently has distribution in the below listed countries and states. A list of distributors is available upon request.

CA: ON, QC
CH
IN
JP

USA: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, DC, HI, IA, ID, IL, KS, KY, MD, ME, MN, MO, NC, NE, NV, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI