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Discover Our Vineyards and Sustainable Practices
We believe that wine is made in the vineyard, and you can taste the difference in a High Pass wine!
At High Pass Winery, we know that the quality of our wine depends on the quality of our vineyard. Our wine-making philosophy is deeply rooted in respect for the earth and the vines, and we place great emphasis on sustainable farming practices. Our vines are grafted onto native American rootstock, providing natural protection from phylloxera, and are planted using 5' x 7' spacing inspired by modern European viticulture to produce high-quality wines at approachable prices. The vineyard is rooted predominately in Bellpine soil—a silty clay loam over sandstone parent material—and we practice dry farming, allowing vine roots to reach water sources as deep as six feet without irrigation. Our founder, Dieter, planted more than 100,000 trees across the Pacific Northwest, including the Coastal Range Mountains and the north slope of Prairie Mountain. From our tasting room, many of those trees can still be seen standing tall on the surrounding hillsides—a lasting reminder that caring for the land has been part of our identity since the day we grafted our first vines.
What We Practice
Cover Crops
We plant subclover between vine rows and at row ends to prevent soil erosion, enrich the soil with nitrogen, and suppress weeds. We also preserve uncultivated areas to support biodiversity.
Recycling Crop Waste
Grape skins are composted and returned to the vineyard. After winter pruning, vine cuttings are shredded and reintegrated into the soil to build organic matter.
Minimal Tilling
Minimal Synthetic Inputs
We recently invested in a targeted sprayer, reducing pesticide use by applying treatments only where needed. We also use canopy management techniques to maximize airflow and sunlight—helping prevent disease naturally.
We till only every other row, and only every other year, to maintain soil health and reduce disruption to beneficial organisms.
Our Vineyards
We currently farm 92 acres in grapes, spread across 5 vineyards, all within proximity to our Tasting Room.
High Pass Vineyard
Our first vineyard, planted in 1984. Consists of 33 acres (23 in grapes).Vineyard elevation ranging from 450’ – 650’.These grapes have been planted on south facing slopes, with the exception of our most recent block, A, which is an East facing slope. The main variety on this Vineyard is Pinot Noir. Different blocks have different Pinot Noir clones. The clones include: Pommard, 777, 667, 115, 114, 113, and 2A (also known as Wadenswil).Other varieties include Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Scheurebe, Huxelrebe, and a few rows of Silvaner, Bacchus, Siegfried, Gewurztraminer, Comtessa and Gutedel.
Union School Vineyard
Union School Vineyard – 20 acres (17 in grapes)
The Union School Vineyard was planted in 2005. The vineyard is named after a school house that was next to the vineyard, before there were school buses to take pupils to Junction City. Dieter wanted to keep the history of the area, hence the reason he named the vineyard Union School.This vineyard has an elevation of 500’ – 700’ above sea level and a south facing slope. The concave shape of the land heats up the air which rises then helps to create a warm sheltered microclimate. That makes it a very unique vineyard site. The resulting wine is intensely concentrated with impeccable balance.The main grape variety on this vineyard is Pinot Noir of Pommard and 777 clones, with small lots of Pinot Gris, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Scheurebe.
Hazel Smith Vineyard
Hazel Smith Vineyard – 20 acres (15 in grapes)
Hazel Smith Vineyard, formerly known as Moriah, is just south of Union School Vineyard. They share a fence line. Varieties here are Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc.
Priddy Vineyard
Priddy Vineyard – 20 acres (7 in grapes)
Located West of High Pass Vineyard, with vine rows serving as the fence line. Varieties include: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and a native American grape that we use as rootstock for grafting new grape starts.
Hildebrand Ranch
Hildebrand Ranch - 80 acres (30 in grapes)
Hildebrand Ranch is our newest vineyard. It features a south facing slope and adjoins High Pass to the East. We purchased Hildebrand Ranch in January 2019. Varieties at this vineyard so far include Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Silvaner, Bacchus, Chenin Blanc, and Gamay Noir.