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Drouhin buys Roserock vineyard in Oregon

The Drouhin Family, owners of Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy and Domaine Drouhin Oregon in the Dundee Hills, has purchased Roserock, a 279-acre property in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The estate, which includes 122 planted acres (111 of Pinot Noir and 11 of Chardonnay) and an additional 80 plantable acres, is located in Salem, Oregon, 25 miles south of Domaine Drouhin and 50 miles south of Portland.

“When our father, Robert, bought land in Oregon in 1987,” said Véronique Drouhin-Boss, DDO’s winemaker, “we were excited to discover what was possible. We have the same feeling today: the potential in Roserock is incredible.”

According to Philippe Drouhin, who oversees the Family’s viticulture in Burgundy and in Oregon: “Roserock is a superb site, and I was impressed by the balance of the vineyards. Our approach always starts with this foundation. We have long thought highly of the Eola-Amity Hills, so it feels right to have ownership in this part of the Willamette Valley.”

Roserock’s land was part of the original Gibson homestead, dating from 1852. Starting in 2003, four large parcels were acquired, developed and planted as high-end vineyards. Prior to this acquisition, all of the fruit has been sold to individual wineries, including many of Oregon’s best.

Laurent Drouhin, Joseph Drouhin’s US commercial director, says: “Looking far down the road, Roserock fits squarely within our family vision, to build upon what we know and can do well in Burgundy and in Oregon. It will be a pleasure to share these wines.”

Frédéric Drouhin, president of Joseph Drouhin, comments: “We will continue to invest in Burgundy, but of course, it is getting difficult to buy something of Roserock’s size in Burgundy, and we think it will be harder to do so in Oregon soon. We are happy to have this opportunity now, and I know our distribution partners around the world share our excitement.”

23 December 2013 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor