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Beck Family Estates Unveils New Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Project Abbott Claim in Yamhill-Carlton
By L.M. Archer
Carlton, Ore. – Beck Family Estates has unveiled Abbott Claim, their newest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay project in Yamhill-Carlton AVA.
Abbott Claim comprises nearly 60 acres of vineyards and a state-of-the-art winery co-designed by Antony Beck and winemaker Alban Debeaulieu, formerly of 00 Wines.
Abbott Claim winery will accommodate 10,000 case production upon completion in May 2020, with the wines slated for release in early 2020. The facility, which abuts the vineyards, will feature two underground barrel rooms blueprinted to enhance humidity and cooling, fitted with American stainless steel tanks, Italian concrete vessels, and French oak fermenters. Angled corten steel panels will front the facade, designed to complement shifting seasonal lighting.
Abbott Claim honors the site’s first homesteader, John F. Abbott, a coachman from upstate New York, who moved to Oregon in 1855. Beck carefully acquired these properties over time, patiently patchworking them into Abbott Claim. He acquired the first two vineyards, both planted to Pinot Noir, from winemaker Ken Wright in 2005 and 2012. The third he purchased from Dave Grooters in 2017. The south-facing site, located on Yamhill-Carlton’s Savannah Ridge, sits at approximately 500 feet elevation, and boasts dry-farmed, ancient shallow marine sediments. Currently LIVE certified, Abbott Claim will achieve full organic certification in three years under the direction of Debeaulieu.
“This is a special vineyard with a track record of producing high-quality wine. We were so excited to learn about this site’s history, and are grateful for the opportunity to build on its heritage, ” said Beck. “When I met Alban, I knew he was the winemaker to bring this vision to life.”
Debeaulieu arrived in Oregon from France after working a harvest at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, where Véronique Drouhin invited him to work the 2013 vintage at their Willamette Valley winery. Upon arriving in America, the French transplant encountered some new concepts, such as the idea of wine as an ‘industry.’ “The term ‘wine industry’ is a word that does not exist in French,” Debeaulieu said.“We just say ‘le monde du vin’ (literally, ‘the world of wine’.) It’s not a business, it’s just what you do – it’s just agriculture.” READ MORE HERE.
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Posted in Oregon Wine Willamette ValleyTagged Beck Family Estates Chardonnay Pinot Noir