Evening Land

The Origin Story behind Evening Land Vineyards

Since 2014, Evening Land Vineyards has been under the aegis of Rajat Parr & Sashi Moorman, a vigneron tag-team loved for their work in California at Domaine de la Côte and Sandhi Wines.

But Evening Land's story truly begins in 1980 when the MacDonald family planted the famed Seven Springs Vineyard in south-eastern Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley. The MacDonald Family farmed and sold this magical fruit to the brightest names in Oregon winemaking for decades. It wasn’t until 2005 when Evening Land Vineyards was born that this esteemed vineyard became a monopole, so to speak. Evening Land leased the whole of this treasured vineyard from the MacDonald family outright that year and a star studded team led by Dominique Lafon of Burgundy fame took the helm, transitioning leadership to Sashi Moorman and Rajat Parr in 2014. 

The Seven Springs Vineyard and the Viticulture of Evening Land

Having historically produced some of the finest grapes in America, the Seven Springs Vineyard was selected as one of The Top 10 Vineyards in America by Food and Wine Magazine and dubbed by Decanter Magazine as “a touchstone for Oregon Chardonnay.”

The Pacific Ocean breeze, volcanic soil, eastern exposure, and high elevation all contribute to the natural preservation of the grapes’ acidity and enrich the wines with elegant phenolics and minerality.

The most prevalent soil type at Seven Springs is the iron-rich volcanic soil known as ‘Jory’. It is well-drained, having formed from deposits of igneous rock, with just a thin layer of top soil right along the volcanic flow line.

Since Evening Land began farming the property in 2007, the vineyard has been LIVE certified and fully converted to organic and biodynamic farming practices. In the beginning, a majority of the vineyard was planted to Pinot Noir with several different grape clones well-suited to the climate, including Calera, Pommard, Swan, and Mt. Eden. Many of these were planted own-rooted and remain own-rooted to this day.

After joining in 2014, Sashi and Raj made the decision to gradually transition more of the Seven Springs plantings over to Chardonnay, identifying the site’s ideal terroir for growing white wine of the utmost consequence. In 2021 they also began the process of purchasing the vineyards outright from the founding MacDonald clan. 

The Wines of Evening Land Vineyards

The Evening Land is a mythical Greek garden where the fruits of immortality grow, tethered to the setting sun on the western rim of the world, just beyond the reach of mortals. Sashi and Raj continue reaching for that unreachable edge of taste. Each year the wines reveal something new and invigorating. It’s a joy to behold!

“Evening Land produces some of the best Chardonnay in not only Oregon, but all of North America, and their whole lineup showcases the impressive winemaking talents of Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman.” - International Wine Report

If you'd like to learn more about Oregon's Wines, have a look at www.vinerra.com.

Hear Raj Parr in his own words here on I'll Drink To That! Podcast, here on The Grape Nation Podcast, and here on SOMM TV.

Hear Sashi Moorman in his own words here on I'll Drink To That! Podcast, here (part 1, part 2) on The Viticole Podcast, and here on the Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast.