Spring Wine Club 2024
2022 Soter Origin Series

This May, we’re releasing five distinct Pinot Noirs from our Origin Series, a collection of wines that explores the nuances of the Willamette Valley through its nested AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). We could easily conduct a Master Class discussing the geographic and geologic features that underlie the characteristics of these wines. For those of you who would like to dive deeper to expand your appreciation we’ve provided a link to some great resources. What’s key to remember is that the expression of “terroir” can be subtle and it takes respect and restraint from the winemaker to let the sense of place display its true character.

Before discussing each of the wines in this collection, we want paint a picture of this “anything but normal” growing season. If we had to give the 2022 vintage report a subtitle, it would be: “A tale of woe, surprise, resilience, fortitude, luck and exceptional quality.”

The season began with a mild winter, transitioning seamlessly into a warm and dry March that beckoned the vines out of dormancy ahead of schedule. However, nature had its own plans, delivering a once-in-a-generation frost event on April 14th that cast a shadow of uncertainty over the season with widespread damage to primary, fruit-bearing buds. This frost set vine growth back by several weeks, challenging growers to adapt and persevere.

Despite the setback, the vines rallied, spurred on by the arrival of warmer weather in June but also a record six inches of rainfall for the month when the average is two inches, quite enough, thank you! The flowering in July was late but picture perfect. This fortuitous turn of events ushered in a period of rapid shoot growth and exceptional fruit set, compensating for the damaged buds, and laying the foundation for what might be a salvageable vintage. 

As September turned into October, it was clear the grapes were not yet ready. We looked ahead to the forecast, on pins and needles, knowing the season was very late and the odds of good weather in the final few weeks were diminishing. In a true stroke of luck, October became the warmest and driest in nearly 80 years thus providing the perfect crescendo to the nail-biting growing season. Despite the trauma and challenges, the final results were remarkable!

Part of the joy in making these wines is working with some exceptional sites and growers. This year we bottled five Pinot Noirs. The first four were from AVAs originally established in 2005 and 2006 from Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, Chehalem Mountains, and Yamhill-Carlton. New to the scene in 2020, was Laurelwood District.

The Dundee Hills wine possesses a bit more power than in past vintages but shows the same graceful balance of acidity, freshness, and structure we’re accustomed to in this wine. Flavors of Bing cherry, black raspberry, and Espelette pepper come together with silky-smooth tannins and lend a luxurious mouthfeel and lingering finish.

The Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir is often one of most distinctive in our cellar. This wine shows heady, floral aromatics, with notes of violet, wild blueberries, and a touch of dried herbs. Vibrant acidity provides freshness and lift to the palate, complemented by refined tannins and a subtle minerality, reflecting the volcanic soils and cool climate of the area.

This is the second time we’ve bottled a Pinot Noir with the Chehalem Mountains designation, and it has grown into one of our favorites. Hailing from the high elevation Hollis Vineyards, this wine has incredible depth and body without being heavy. Flavors of pomegranate and plum are balanced with an earthy flavor we describe as loamy. The finish is punctuated by a hint of spice that adds finesse and complexity.

The Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir is sourced from a long-time vineyard partner, Gran Moraine. This wine shows flavors of ripe Rainier cherry, vanilla bean, and black fruit flavors, such as fig and blackberry, with a rich and plush texture on the palate. There are layers of earthy notes that include forest floor, mushroom, and hint of nutmeg which tease the palate long after the wine is gone.

The Laurelwood District is from Dion Vineyard, an exceptional site on the northeast side of the Chehalem Mountains. This vineyard was planted in the 1970’s and still has portions on its own roots, a rarity today. The wine is distinctive and shows flavors of red fruits like salmonberries and cranberries with hints of iron and spice. Chalky tannins and an earthy finish add additional intrigue to this wine.

We hope you enjoy exploring the wines in this season’s allocation. We are grateful to have the privilege of sharing these remarkable wines with you from this season to remember.

VIEW SPRING 2024 ALLOCATION ▾

 Wine Club Pick-up Only

- NO TASTING -

Your wine will be available for pick-up starting on Wednesday, May 8th - the day following wine club processing. We remain open daily from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. for pick-up by advance appointment. Secure a Will-Call Pick Up appointment time with our hospitality team. *This is not a tasting reservation.

We ask that you please pick up your wine within six (6) months of its release. Soter Vineyards is unable to hold your wine allocations past this time. If after six (6) months you have not picked up your wine or made other arrangements with us to receive your wine, a $10 monthly cellar fee per order will be automatically processed.

Shipping Dates by State

SPRING 2024

Monday, May 13th

HI & Members who have elected to use FedEx Express Air shipping
Estimated delivery on Wednesday, May 15th

IL, KS, MO, NM, OH, & OK via Ground shipping
Estimated delivery on Friday, May 17th (NM 5/16-5/17)

Wednesday, May 15th

CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, & VT via Ground shipping
Estimated delivery Monday, May 20th – Wednesday, May 22nd

Friday, May 17th

CO, ID, IA, MI, MN, MT, NE, WI, & WY via Ground shipping
Estimated delivery Sunday, May 19th – Thursday, May 23rd depending on proximity to Oregon

Wednesday, May 22nd

Most of CA, FL & Reno, NV* via FedEx Cold Chain shipping
AZ & TX via FedEx Cold Chain shipping (by request or if Vinum55 is not available to your area)
Estimated delivery on Wednesday, May 29th or Thursday, May 30th by region

Palm Springs, CA area & Las Vegas, NV area will be held until November to ship when weather permits - tentatively Monday, November 18th

Wednesday, May 29th

AL, DC, GA, MD, NC, SC, TN, & VA via FedEx Cold Chain shipping
Estimated delivery on Tuesday, June 4th or Wednesday, June 5th by region

Thursday, May 30th

AZ & TX via Vinum55 temperature-controlled shipping

Only available to AZ: Phoenix Metro area & Tucson; TX: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, & San Antonio metro areas.

This is our primary shipping method for AZ & TX where possible, unless otherwise requested.

*Vinum55 handles tracking and customer communications directly. Please expect tracking notifications from their system – Detrack

Monday, June 3rd

OR & WA via Ground shipping
Estimated delivery on Tuesday, June 4th

FedEx Cold Chain
FedEx Cold Chain shipping uses refrigerated trucks for pick-up and transit, delivery is made via Priority Overnight Air for delivery by 12pm to most locations. Please note, delivery vehicles are not refrigerated and prompt, successful delivery is important to protect your wine. Due to the nature of Cold Chain shipping, you will receive your first notification the Friday or Saturday after your Wednesday pick-up date (posted above by state) once your wine reaches the temperature-controlled consolidation point.

We highly encourage you to ship directly to a nearby FedEx location to ensure successful delivery on the 1st attempt to protect the integrity of the wine. Please contact us directly for help finding a convenient location to update your shipping address accordingly if you are interested in this option. You will have 5 business days to collect from your preferred location after delivery.

If your order has already been processed, please contact us a week ahead of your scheduled ship date so we can make this change for you.