Argyle Winery
Founded in: 1987
Website: argylewinery.com
Specialties: Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Method Champenoise Sparkling Wine
If you were a food or wine, what would you be and why? For wine, I would be champagne and for food I would be a pinto bean. Both go with everything and the effects linger long after they are gone.
Who is the person your most admire in the sustainable world and why? Dr. Jay Gould, because he had the balance between real time life, history and science.
Sustainable Practices Come Second Nature at Argyle Winery
The prospect of growing grapes in Oregon’s cooler climate Willamette Valley initially attracted Rollin Soles, co-founder and winemaker of Argyle winery, back in the late 80s. He quickly fell in love with the land and today believes in the mantra that if you love where you live you try and nurture it. In this vein, Argyle has long practiced sustainable viticulture and enology, and in recent history has taken the important step of securing third-party certification for their efforts. All estate vineyards have received LIVE, Inc. certification.
Not that Argyle is resting on its laurels. “Our view of sustainability is that it never ends and is continually improving,” remarked Soles. “Our biggest motivation is future generations and leaving behind vineyards and systems that are as healthy and strong as possible. At Argyle we try to think two generations ahead.”
This level of foresight and planning has guided Argyle from the beginning. Soles reflects, “The whole thing is an experiment really. We don’t have 300 years of winemaking history in this region, but from the start we have tried to control our inputs and still yield the maximum results.”
Argyle’s next challenge in terms of sustainability is to try and maintain the original and genuine message of environmentalism. Soles’ goal is to “keep it genuine and truthful, not imprisoned by a marketing message.” He notes, “In Oregon it’s relatively recent that the word ‘sustainability’ has entered marketing speak, it was something we did all along for future generations.” Today he feels confident in joining OCSW because the program reflects a “thoughtful and mature” approach to supporting sustainability in Oregon’s wine industry.
Order Oregon Certified Sustainable Wines
2008 Argyle Clubhouse Pinot Noir
2008 Argyle Cowhouse Pinot Noir
2008 Argyle Nuthouse Chardonnay
2008 Argyle Nuthouse Pinot Noir
2008 Argyle Reserve Pinot Noir
2008 Argyle Spirithouse Chardonnay
2008 Argyle Spirithouse Pinot Noir
2009 Argyle Cowhouse Pinot Noir
2009 Argyle Minus 5 Riesling
2009 Argyle Nusshaus Riesling
2009 Argyle Nuthouse Chardonnay
2009 Argyle Nuthouse Pinot Noir
2009 Argyle Reserve Pinot Noir
2009 Argyle Riesling
2009 Argyle Spirithouse Pinot Noir
2009 Argyle Willamette Valley Chardonnay
2009 Argyle Wilamette Valley Pinot Noir