Protos

On Wine Hill

Before Oregon enacted prohibition on January 1, 1916, Oregon had a growing and prosperous wine industry. In the northern reaches of the Willamette Valley, vineyards were planted as far back as the 1870’s. By the 1880’s, in the hills above Forest Grove there were three main vineyards and wineries. The original vineyards were from the Rueter, Wirtz, David, and Koppel families, German & Swiss immigrants. These families planted a wide variety of grapes both of European and American origin. These vineyards were located on what became known as “Wine Hill”. People from Portland and vicinity would take the train out to Forest Grove to buy their wines, picnic and escape to the natural beauty of the Tualatin River Valley. On Wine Hill is a brand from Golden Cluster that pays homage to Oregon’s pre-prohibition roots.

Golden Cluster, of Willamette Valley, Oregon is the vision of owner/winemaker Jeff Vejr. Established in 2013, all of Vejr’s wines are produced under the Golden Cluster umbrella, but Golden Cluster also represents some individual wineries throughout the area.

Today, Veijr produces his wines at the David Hill Winery, which was originally the Charles Coury Vineyard & Winery, one of the first vineyards planted in Willamette Valley after Prohibition. The Golden Cluster name is a nod to the memory of Charles Coury and the Semillon grape variety.

Veijr became passionate about the art of “old vine” wine production and blending in 2010. This passion led him to working for, learning from and collaborating with wine producers in Spain, France, Washington, and Oregon. On a vineyard tour of the David Hill Winery, Vejr found his destiny and stayed. His ongoing plan? To unify the histories of Oregon wines that were grown and made on the hill behind Forest Grove, in Willamette Valley.

AVAILABLE WINES

Golden Cluster On Wine Hill Millerandage Chardonnay

On Wine Hill ‘Millerandage’ Chardonnay

On Wine Hill Noburg Oregon Noble Reduction Pinot Noir

On Wine Hill ‘Noburg Oregon’ Noble Reduction Pinot Noir

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