Cooper Mountain Vineyards

Cooper Mountain Vineyards
Location	Beaverton, Oregon, USA
Appellation	Willamette Valley AVA
Founded	1978
First vintage	1987
Known for	Pinot Noir
Varietals	Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, Malbec
Other product	Balsamic vinegar
Distribution	National
Tasting	Open to public
Website	http://www.coopermountainwine.com

Cooper Mountain Vineyards is an American winery located in Beaverton, Oregon, United States. Started in 1978, the certified organic wine maker produces Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, and Pinot blanc. Located in the Portland metropolitan area, the vineyard is sited on the western slopes of Cooper Mountain, an extinct volcano.^[1]

History

The winery was founded in 1978 by Dr. Robert Gross and his wife Corrine and released its first vintage in 1987.^[1] The vineyards obtained state organic certification in 1995, and biodynamic certification in 1999.^[2][3] In 2004, the winery released a third tier of wine called Cooper Hill to add to its two existing tiers: Cooper Mountain Reserves and 5 Elements Series. The winery released its first balsamic vinegar in 2006.^[4] Current production at the winery is 18,000 cases.

Organic

All wines produced from Cooper Mountain are estate bottled and certified both organic and Biodynamic.^[5] The organic certification was done by Oregon Tilth, and the Biodynamic cerification was done by Demeter International.^[3][6] The winery has 120 acres (0.49 km²) of grapes in production, producing four varietals (Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, and Pinot blanc).^[1] The Cooper Mountain Reserve Pinot Noir is ranked as one of the Top 10 Organic Wines on Gayot.com.

This winery owns and manages four different vineyards with organic and biodynamic certification. The names of the four vineyard sites are Old Vines, planted in 1978, Meadowlark, planted in 1982, Farmington, planted in 1998, and Johnson School, planted in 2000. Cooper Mountain Vineyards produces a no-sulfite Pinot noir called Life Wine. Cooper Mountain is the only winery in the state that is certified as biodynamic.^[7]

See also

• Biodynamic wine
• Oregon wine
• Organic wine

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Lonsford, Michael (March 15, 2006). "An eruption of good taste in Oregon; Winery situated on ancient volcano is bursting with outstanding wines". The Houston Chronicle: pp. 2. 
2. ^ Parks, Betsy (April 2008). Growing Organic Grapes: Tips from the Pros. WineMaker. http://winemakermag.com/departments/778.html. Retrieved 2008-07-31. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Our History". Cooper Mountain Vineyards. http://www.coopermountainwine.com/html/bkgrd_history.html. Retrieved 2008-07-31. 
4. ^ "Welcome to vinegar country". Tigard-Tualatin Times. July 6, 2006. http://www.tigardtimes.com/sustainable/print_story.php?story_id=115221433443875000. Retrieved 2008-07-31. 
5. ^ Mayfield, Robert (October 20, 1998). "Spiritual Agriculture Produces Grapes That Are Easy on the Land". The Columbian. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-17857535.html. Retrieved 2008-07-31. 
6. ^ Nokes, Deston S. (December 6, 2007). "Yamhill County pours on fine tastes". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer: pp. 4. 
7. ^ Cole, Katherine (June 8, 2003). "Advocates of “Ultra-organic” farming say it creates better wines". The Oregonian: pp. L07. 

External links

• Cooper Mountain Vineyard (official website)
• "Cops to corks: Cooper Mtn. moves downtown". Portland Business Journal. August 4, 2000. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-28174308_ITM. Retrieved 2008-07-31. 
• Kinssies, Richard (March 10, 2004). "Wine Pick of the Week: 2002 Cooper Mountain Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://www.seattlepi.com/food/163920_winepick10.html. Retrieved 2008-07-31.