Greetings from Chandler Hill Vineyards,

With 2010 coming to an end, the owners and staff of Chandler Hill appreciate your loyalty and visits to the vineyard throughout the year!

We certainly have had an exciting second year and our venue is striving to do more for our customers.  We had many accomplishments this year.

First, we were able to entertain many local charities and anyone that attended the Fisher House/USO Memorial Day event will never forget that day.  The storm hit during the national anthem.  The color guard didn't flinch and it was fitting for that day.

Second, we started a Farmer's Market and had our first BBQ cook off.  I think both are now a part of our yearly program.

Third, Chandler Hill was selected by all area publications as "Best Winery."  We continue to entertain our guests on the weekends with great music.  And, with Chef Darren Garmer taking over the kitchen our restaurant has risen to new heights.

On the event side, we continue to strive to work in great food/wine dinners to sere our customers.  These have included "Cowboy Ribeye Night," "Bissinger's Chocolate/Wine Pairings, Christmas Lobster & Strip Steak Night with Erin Bode, and numerous other special Chandler Hill evenings.  (Be sure to always check the website for information about the upcoming Erin Bode event on Sunday, December 19!  We only have 100 reservations available and they are filling up quickly!!)

We've also become the wedding/corporate event/private party destination.  We managed over 80 weddings and receptions this year.  I truly appreciate how our customers work with us in  preparation of these events and our early closures.  We are currently working on a plan that will add both additional kitchen and deck space that will eliminate many of these early closures.

We also have fantastic news on the vineyard and wine side of our business.

 

We just returned from an amazing trip to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  After three long day of never ending rain, driving over 600 miles and visiting with fifteen different winemakers and custom crush facilities, we are excited to announce the purchase of over 4000 gallons of over 92 point wines.

 

Our first purchase comes from Ebony Wines and world-known winemaker, Chris Mazepink.  For the past 12 years Chris has crafted many of Oregon's most sought after Pinot Noirs for Shea Cellars, Benton Lane Winery and his own label Ebony Wines.  During this time he has produced 21 different Pinot Noirs that have rated 93 points or higher, including 3 wines rated in the Top 100 Wines of the World.

 

We are extremely pleased to be working with Chris on the small amount of 2009 we purchased and more important years to come.  This wine will be bottled in January and available early February. 

 

Our second Pinot Noir is just as impressive.  It is made by one of my favorite winemakers, Anna Matzinger of Archery Summit.  Anna started with the world known winery
Archery Summit in 1999 after working in the industry in New Zealand and Australia.  She became the winemaker at Archery Summit in 2002.  In 2006, Anna's Pinot Noirs were named "Best wine made in Oregon" The White House also served her wines during the 2009 Governor's Dinner.  This wine is simply delicious and we will bottle around 750 cases in March.

 

Finally, our last purchase was a huge surprise.  Dundee Hills is famous for growing fantastic Pinot Noirs, Archery Summit is located in Dundee Hills and so are the oldest vineyards in Oregon.  Winemaker Aron Hess of Deadalus Cellars has been making wines from Maresh Vineyards for several years.

 

The fruit from Maresh Vineyards are from 32-40 year old vines.  The yield per ton from this vineyard is very low, with averages around the 1.5 tons per acre.  Because of the wet and cold 2010 year this yield was cut in half.  After sampling, we secured what was available.  I have never tasted a more elegant Pinot Noir as this.  It also is schedule to bottle in March, with a production of 500 cases.  As you can tell, we are extremely happy with these purchases.

Finally, I would like to send out a special thanks to our staff.  They work extremely hard to make your experience a good one.

We wish everyone a very safe holiday season and 2011!
 
Cheers,
 
Chuck Gillentine