Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden is a Demeter-certified and thus Biodynamic estate vineyard and winery located in the Applegate Valley AVA in southern Oregon’s hot Jackson County,

Founder-owners: Bill (ex-Wall Street) and Barbara Steele (ex-finance). They bought the land in 2002 when they were in their early forties and converted it to vines and other crops (see below).

The estate: 47.3 hectares (117 acres) located 15 miles (kms) west of Ashland in southern Oregon. The first 4.45 hectares (11 acres) were planted in 2005. Soil analysis had shown the sandy, stony, low fertility soils of the Applegate river valley would suit Rhone varietals, hence a focus on Syrah and Viognier.

Vineyards & wine production: 2005 4.45 hectares (11 acres). | 2008 In 2008 there were 4.45ha (11 acres) of Rhône varieties: Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. These produced 1,800 cases of year of wine. | 2010 In 2010 an additional 2.02 hectares (5 acres) of vines were planted. 2018 10 hectares (25 acres) producing 4,500 cases (International Biodynamic Wine Conference, San Francisco 07 May 2018).

Biodynamics:The owners worked with the late Alan York, as their Biodynamic consultant. Biodynamic compost is based on organic cow manure and estate-generated green waste. Compost teas and vermiculture are used to control pests and to encourage complexity of the microbiological activity in the fields. Also Biodynamic preparations, and habitat diversity.

Biodynamic certification: 2006 First vintage with full Demeter Biodynamic certification for both vineyards and winery. | 2018 Still Demeter certified Biodynamic for both vineyards and winery.

White wines

Spiral 36: 2008 35% each Roussanne & Viognier, 30% Marsanne. | 2016 45% Viognier, 30% Marsanne, 25% Roussanne. Clean, pure textured (IBWConference, 2018).

Red wines

Sentience: 2014 100% Syrah. Dark juicy fruit with nice crunch (IBWConference, 2018).

Moonraker: 2015 53% Tempranillo, 45% Grenache Noir, 2% Tempranillo. Bright, savoury, wild (IBWConference, 2018).

Other crops: The more fertile soils are given to other crops such as cereals (barley), fruit and nut trees, and asparagus.

Contact

Cowhorn Vineyard and Garden

1665 Eastside Road

97530 Jacksonville

Tel+001 541-899-6876 | Website: www.cowhornwine.com