Introducing Evening Land to Alberta

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 breezes, volcanic soils, varying exposures, and high elevation all contribute to the natural preservation of the grapes’ acidity and enrich the wines with elegant phenolics and minerality.

The Origin Story of Evening Land Vineyards

Evening Land's story truly begins in 1980 when the MacDonald family planted the now-renowned 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.

Evening Land Vineyards as we know it today was born in 2005 when they were given the opportunity to lease the whole of this treasured vineyard from the MacDonald family outright. Their star-studded team was originally led by Dominique Lafon of Burgundy (who oversaw the transition to organic and biodynamic farming) until in 2014 the leadership transitioned to Sashi Moorman & Rajat Parr. This team is making the dreamiest wines from one of the most precious terroirs in Oregon.

Terroir Notes for the Wines from Evening Land Vineyards

These wines all hail from different parcels of the Seven Springs vineyard. Much of the vineyard is own-rooted, the majority planted in 1980. 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. The Pacific Ocean breeze, volcanic soil, varying exposure (but predominantly east-facing), and high elevation contribute to the natural preservation of the grapes’ acidity and enrich the wines with elegant flavors and minerality. Since Evening Land began farming the property the vineyard has been LIVE Certified and fully converted to organic and biodynamic farming practices since 2008.



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

Fun Factoids!

In the beginning, a majority of Seven Springs 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. Gamay also enjoys a small but consequential residence in the vineyards now.

Moreover, Moorman & Parr began the process of purchasing the vineyards outright from the founding MacDonald clan in 2021. 

In-Depth Guides:

Explore Oregon wine region and develop deep insights and knowledge via the in-depth profiles on www.vinerra.com:

• Oregon Wine Region
• Eola-Amity Hills Region

THE WINES of EVENING LAND

Alberta CSPC/SKU #100441

2021 Salem Wine Co. Chardonnay

The Salem Wine Co. Chardonnay is predominantly sourced from the west-facing Block 9 at Seven Springs. This gently sloped hillside is composed of iron-rich clay.

Tasting notes from the winery: "The Salem Wine Co. Chardonnay is richly textured with bright notes of lively acidity. Notes of toasted almond skin mix with Meyer lemon to forma compelling aromatic profile. The wine’s signature is its fleshy mid-palate that resolves with a bright, clean finish."

Region:  Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Appellation:  Eola-Amity Hills AVA

Altitude:  150-400m

Soils:  Iron-rich, volcanic Jory soils

Varietal:  100% Chardonnay

Fermentation:  Whole-cluster gently pressed into neutral 500L French oak puncheons for a native fermentation a full malolactic conversion.

Ageing:  Aged one year in French oak and then racked to tank where it naturally clarifies before bottling.

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Biodynamic. Hand harvested. This cuvée is predominantly sourced from the west-facing Block 9 at Seven Springs. This gently sloped hillside is composed of iron-rich clay.

ABV:  13.1%

Produced Cases:  695 cases

Alberta CSPC/SKU #100442

2022 Seven Springs Chardonnay 

This cuvée comes from a unique section in the south block of Seven Springs, a high elevation parcel with great drainage and excellent exposure to the cooling influence of Pacific winds blowing through the Van Duzer Corridor.

Tasting notes from the winery: "Four decades in, Seven Springs Vineyard shows increasing promise for fine Chardonnay. With a light-green hue with hints of trapped CO2 in the glass, the 2022 estate bottling is seamless in its presentation of crunchy white peach, Granny Smith apple, salty chalk and almond aromas. Generous and expansive with a core of tree fruit and bracing acidity, well timed lees in influence adds to an immensely textural wine."

Region:  Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Appellation:  Eola-Amity Hills AVA

Altitude:  150-400m

Soils:  Iron-rich, volcanic Jory soils

Blend:  100% Chardonnay

Fermentation:  Whole-cluster pressed (with a Champagne press cycle) to once-used French barriques and Stockinger puncheons for an indigenous fermentation.

Ageing:  Aged six months in oak then all racked together into stainless steel and rested one month further prior to bottling.

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Biodynamic. Hand harvested. This cuvée comes from a unique section in the south block of Evening Land's famed Seven Springs vineyard. This high elevation block has excellent drainage and exposure to the cooling influence of Pacific winds blowing through the Van Duzer Corridor.

ABV:  13.6%

Produced Cases: 2,722 cases

Alberta CSPC/SKU #100443

2022 Seven Springs Pinot Noir

The fruit for this wine hails primarily from Seven Springs' oldest block of Pinot. Originally planted in 1982, these own-rooted Pommard clones thrive in the iron-rich volcanic Jory soils. These 40-year-old dry-farmed vines are harvested by hand, the grapes are hand sorted, and nearly all of the fruit was de-stemmed.

Tasting notes from the winery: "Drinkability and structure have come to define this estate cuvée, and the 2022 bottling is no different. It shows the many colors of young Pinot Noir: juicy blue and red berries, blood orange, and pink peppercorn, all an herbal, snapped thyme-y kick. Packed with energy, fine tannins and spice hang on."

Region:  Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Appellation:  Eola-Amity Hills AVA

Altitude:  150-400m

Soils:  Iron-rich, volcanic Jory soils

Blend:  100% Pinot Noir

Fermentation:  This vintage was nearly 100% de-stemmed and fermented indigenously without any punchdowns or pumpovers in closed-top concrete fermenters.

Ageing:  Aged five months in neutral oak barriques then racked to concrete and rested one month further prior to bottling.

Vineyard & Vine Age:  Biodynamic. Hand Harvested. Fruit hails primarily from Seven Springs Vineyard's oldest block of Pinot Noir, originally planted in 1982, these *own-rooted* Pommard clones thrive in the iron-rich volcanic Jory soils. These 40-year-old dry-farmed vines are harvested by hand, the grapes are hand sorted, and nearly all of the fruit was destemmed.

ABV:  13.7%

Production: 4,732 cases