McCollum Family Vineyard sits on the western edge of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, tucked against the coastal mountain foothills with the Pacific Ocean about 45 minutes away. The picturesque, gently sloping site is 318 acres in size with 56 acres planted. Cool ocean air funnels through the valley. The breeze keeps temperatures steady even on warm summer days, and the nights are crisp and cool. The result is exactly the kind of long, slow growing season that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive on.
Most of the AVA grows on volcanic soil from ancient lava flows that helped make the Willamette Valley famous. McCollum Family Vineyard contains many different formations of sedimentary soil found throughout the site, providing a well-draining foundation to the vines which, in turn, impart a lovely minerality to the wines. It’s one of the defining characteristics of the estate.
And then there are the two small knolls. These hills carry volcanic soil formed from the ancient geological upwelling that created the Cascade Mountains, yet they are surrounded by sedimentary soil types. Wines grown from these knolls show bright cherry fruit, lively acidity, and a tension that’s difficult to find anywhere else in the valley.
As Simon Burr, our head of farming says: “This property gives you everything.”
The 2026 Willamette Valley Vintage Update
The 2026 vintage is off to a strong start. After an early spring frost – typical for the region – warmer weather settled in and the vines have responded well. The vineyard is currently running about two weeks ahead of a normal year, with harvest expected in late August to early September. The transition from spring to summer has been smooth and we’re seeing the first small berries form on the clusters.
All signs point to a season worth being excited about.