Koosah
Koosah Vineyard
At the very top elevation of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA sits Koosah Vineyard‒in the Coast Salish dialect the name "koosah" means "beautiful ceiling of the sky". This "magnum opus" project of grower Kevin Chambers is without question one of the most thoughtfully planted (and riskiest) vineyards in Willamette Valley history.
On one of his many trips to the vineyard for samples prior to harvest, winemaker Evan Martin made this video standing above some of our rows with a dramatic view that demonstrates the vineyard’s elevation.
The Terroir:
Koosah Vineyard - Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
The Eola-Amity Hills is situated to the immediate east of the Van Duzer Corridor, the "air-conditioning" pathway through the Coast Range where marine air enters from the west and cools the Willamette Valley.
Ripening here is patiently late and Fall rains will almost always threaten the harvest...yet that risk also offers rewards.
The high elevation makes for strong diurnal shifts between cold nights and warm daytime temps with extra uv intensity. This alternation gives ripe fruit expression matched to bright acidity, with aromatics that are lifted and fresh.
The Parrett soil (rocky volcanic basalt with shallow topsoil) provides balanced stress to the plants, resulting in sparse canopies and loose clusters, good wind and sun exposure, and ultimately small berries with thick skins‒all of which combines to give the wines structure, framing and definition. Martin Woods is one of
The Wines
Koosah Chardonnay
AVA: Eola-Amity Hills
Block, Elevation, Aspect: 900-1020 ft, south-east facing 26% slope
Soil: Volcanic Basalt (Parrett series)
Vine Age: Planted 2016
Clonal Selection: Intermixed clones 76 & 95
Farming: Dry-Farmed, Organic management
Koosah Pinot Noir
AVA: Eola-Amity
Elevation: 820-920 ft, south-east facing 26% slope
Soil: Volcanic Basalt (Parrett series)
Vine Age: Planted 2016
Clonal Selection: Intermixed clones 37, Pommard, 943, 777, 115, 114, 667
Farming: Dry-Farmed, Organic management