OUR WINEMAKING
Our team at Apolloni Vineyards is committed to producing the highest quality of wines, reflecting our location and style, and combining the best of old and new world winemaking tradition.
Our Pinot Noir is classic Oregon – always elegant and subtle, with notes of blackberry and dark fruit from our Northern Willamette Valley location. While our wines uniquely express themselves from vintage to vintage, our commitment to style and tradition in winemaking remain constant. Our sustainably farmed fruit is hand picked and sorted in small lots and then fermented and aged in French Oak barrels. With a combination of new to more neutral barrels, we can achieve the delicate balance to coax a heightened expression of the fruit. The addition of our 400 + barrel wine cave in 2013 allows us to age the wine gracefully for an average of 14 months in a year-round climate controlled environment. We typically release our wines two years after harvest, so as to be enjoyed when they are well integrated, while allowing for the wines to be held for aging.
Our white wine varietals showcase our unique growing region and cooler climate. We chose to plant Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay because of their suitability to the Willamette Valley and ability to produce dry, yet expressive wines. Typically, these are fermented exclusively in stainless steel, without malolactic fermentation. This methodology is a direct reflection of Alfredo’s Northern Italian winemaking tradition and the wine he grew up producing with his family. The wines are dry, fruity, crisp, and clean. They embrace the unique flavor of Oregon’s grapes and bring it to the table.
Alfredo’s Italian roots are further showcased in our limited production warm red wines, sourcing fruit from neighboring Washington. Alfredo loves big red and because of our northwest location, we are able to source Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to produce wines true to Italian style but grown locally.
Our Winery & Winemaking Practices:
- Electric forklifts
- Geothermal barrel cave utilizing natural underground heating and cooling
- Energy efficient lighting
- Sustainability plan, which includes optimal use goals measured through tracking consumption of water and energy resources.
- Recycling program including everything from glass to office paper, case boxes to pallet wrap
- Unbleached and pulp shipping materials
- Production wastewater management – production space drain water used for irrigation in accordance with DEQ
- Keg wine program, providing wine to restaurant and retailers in refillable kegs. One 5.16 gal keg = 25 bottles of wine
- Creating a working environment which supports local, year-round employment for winery and vineyard staff
- Partnerships with local vendors, suppliers and artisans; including procurement of winemaking materials and products for sale in tasting room and for events.