Knudsen Vineyards Celebrating 50 Years
Celebrating 50 Years
In 2021, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Knudsen Vineyards. A family endeavor then and now, the 228-acre property in the heart of the Dundee Hills AVA has grown some of the most sought-after grapes in the region for 50 years. In 2020, we opened our first tasting room on the property, providing the opportunity for us to share this historic site with friends, wine club members and the public.
Proof Copy: Not optimized for high quality printing or digital distribution
This book is dedicated to our parents, Julia Lee and Cal Knudsen. We remember and honor their great love for one another, for this place and for us, their four children. We acknowledge and embrace a responsibility to enhance our land and vines and, more broadly, we seek to enrich the lives of all those associated with our family and Knudsen Vineyards.
1
All rights reserved. Author: Colin R. Knudsen Photo Selection: Page Knudsen Cowles, Colin R. Knudsen Book Designer: Cassidy J. Robinson Editors: Hilary Jackson, The Knudsen Family Except when otherwise indicated, photos are by Knudsen Vineyards. Cover photo, © Andréa Johnson Photography
2
3
“Cal Knudsen . . . had a life-long love affair with wine. The first Oregon wine pioneer to combine vision with capital, Cal is best known as the founder of the 120-acre Knudsen Vineyard, planted in 1972. It was daring, by far the most extensive planting of Pinot noir and Chardonnay in the state - and quite possibly the country at that time.” Oregon Wine Walk of Fame, 2009*
*In 2004, the Ponzi family established The Oregon Wine Walk of Fame recognizing dynamic individuals who greatly influenced the success of the Oregon wine industry.
4
Contents
Foreword
6
Grand Vision
9
The Pioneer Years
16
Recognition and Growth
29
The Second Wave
36
The Next Generation
47
A Singular Site
52
The Dream Continues
59
5
Foreword In 1971, C. Calvert “Cal” and Julia Lee Knudsen, our father and mother, purchased a 200-acre former walnut orchard on Worden Hill Road in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. The plan was straight-forward – plant as much of the property to wine grape vines as quickly as possible and commence making wine. It was also audacious. At the time, there were only a handful of vineyards growing Vitis vinifera grapes and most had been planted within the preceding five years. The prospect of consistently producing high-quality wine remained unproven. 50 years later, Oregon is home to a thriving premium wine industry and is recognized globally for the production of world-class Pinot noir and Chardonnay wines, among other varietals. The development of Oregon’s wine industry over these 50 years is a remarkable success story. Like all good stories, Oregon’s wine history is full of doers, dreamers and determined individuals, not to mention its share of drama. This is the story of Knudsen Vineyards and our place in the founding of the Oregon wine industry. It is a story about our parents, Oregon wine pioneers, and the ongoing journey of the second generation now operating the vineyard and producing estate wines. In many ways this is a story of love – the true love shared by our parents, our father’s love of wine, particularly the wines of Burgundy and Champagne, and the Knudsen family’s love for this place, this land, these vines. In 2021, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Knudsen Vineyards. A family endeavor then and now, the 228-acre property in the heart of the Dundee Hills AVA has grown some of the most sought-after grapes in the region. Knudsen Vineyards also produces a terroir-driven line of Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Rosé still wines with a sparkling wine under development. In 2020, we opened our first tasting room on our property, providing the family an opportunity to share this historic and beautiful site with friends, wine club members and the public.
6
Knudsen Vineyards 50 Years Foreword
We are immensely proud of our participation in the Oregon wine industry over these 50 years. As a family, we feel as deeply rooted and entwined with this place as our vines. We remain committed to innovating to further the health and productivity of our land and vines. We dedicate ourselves to the production of outstanding estate wines, reflective of the unique attributes of Knudsen Vineyards. Finally, we look forward to sharing this beautiful place, exceptional view and worldclass wines with family, friends, club members and all visitors. Cheers, Page, Cal, Colin and David
© Andréa Johnson Photography From l. to r. Cal, Colin, Page, David, Knudsen Vineyard, April 2021
7
8
grand vision
Julia Lee and Cal Knudsen, at his induction into the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, Chateau du Clos de Vougeot, Burgundy, France, May, 1971 9
Grand Vision Cal and Julia Lee Knudsen dreamed of creating a family business tied to the land. Cal’s father worked for a wreath company, Cal himself became an executive of several timber products companies and Julia Lee was a passionate and knowledgeable gardener. They both believed that from the land springs beauty and bounty, that working in it is life-affirming and offers important lessons in determination, effort, sacrifice, joy and reward.
Julia Lee and Cal Knudsen, New York, 1950
10