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meadows estate wine

A Glass of Perfection at Meadows Estate Winery

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While looking in the Oregon region for commercial properties, husband and wife team Dexter and Marilyn Meadows decided that their hearts were set on a winery. After decades of real estate investments and management, the couple wanted to take on a project that was a little different than their past experiences.

“Meadows Estate is an outgrowth of Mardex LLC, a real estate portfolio of rental properties we owned, some of which we sold to acquire the estate,” says Vintner/Owner Dexter Meadows. “Meadows Estate appealed to us because of its numerous amenities, similar to a typical real estate investment. It included a 5-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home suitable for Airbnb, a 4-bedroom, 2-bath rental, a 17-acre vineyard, a winery and tasting room, all situated on 100 acres of beautiful, rolling landscape.”

The couple still maintain some property which they manage however their primary interest is in Meadows Estate. They initially saw the vineyard as a cash crop, with the winery being a ‘bonus’. Quickly however they began seeing the winery as core to the estate, with Meadows calling it “The centre of our passion and operations.”

Now the estate produces Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Merlot and a flagship Viognier. Wines are released on a steady schedule with whites typically released in the spring of the year following harvest.

“Reds take longer to mature,” says Meadows. “The release timing depends on grape varietals, blend combinations, and the vintner’s preferences/specifications. For instance, red grapes harvested in 2020 and 2021 were barreled for 2–3 years and bottled in 2023. Our flagship GSM (red wine) fruit was harvested in 2021 but won’t be bottled until the summer of 2024.”

Each wine commands its own production cycle. The Viognier, for example, benefits from “Late summer and early fall weather patterns that bring hot-to-warm daytime temperatures and cool nights, allowing for longer hang time for the fruit,” says Meadows. “This results in a pronounced, fruit-forward wine, with aromas of pineapple in the vineyard being not uncommon.”

The Viognier is housed in stainless steel tanks, and the fermentation process is stopped at between 0.2 and 0.3 Brix to preserve the fruity flavors of the Viognier varietal. “After 60–90 days, the wine is ready for bottling,” says Meadows.

Of course it’s ultimately all about the wine. So what does it take to make a great wine? “An easy response,” says Meadows. “Excellent fruit—but that’s much harder to achieve than it sounds. Producing excellent fruit requires a healthy vineyard, which we carefully maintain through proper care and nourishment of the vines.”

It’s a year-round process too. “Preparation for next year’s fruit yield begins almost immediately after harvest with pruning. We also implement a vigorous mowing and nutrient spray program to control weeds, pests, and plant diseases. With summer days often being very hot, maintaining a consistent irrigation schedule is essential.”

Right now, aside from a 2021 Viognier, Dexter and Marilyn have chiefly been enjoying a 2021 Pinot Noir: “Fruity and refreshing—perfect for a hot summer day!” says Meadows.

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