Home of the first Pinot noir vineyard of the Willamette Valley, planted by David Lett of Eyrie Vineyard in 1966, today the Dundee Hills AVA remains the most densely planted AVA in the valley (and state). To its north sits the Chehalem Valley and to its south, runs the Willamette River. Within the region’s 12,500 acres, about 1,700 are planted to vine on predominantly basalt-based, volcanic, Jory soil.
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About the Producer
“A view lot in the country” is what Loie and Jim Maresh Sr. were seeking in 1959 when they found a 27-acre hilltop farm for sale in the Red Hills of Dundee. The owner refused to sell a view lot only, so Loie and Jim courageously bought the whole farm.
The Maresh Farm was eventually expanded to over 140 acres as adjacent farms were put up for sale. It was Dick Erath who convinced Jim Sr. and Loie to plant Pinot Noir in 1970 in what would become the fifth oldest vineyard in Oregon and the first vineyard on Worden Hill Road.
The Maresh family has had a long and memorable presence in the Dundee Hills. In 1980 Jim and Loie’s daughter, Martha, married Fred Arterberry, Jr. who was one of the first winemakers in Oregon to have a degree in fermentation science from the University of California at Davis. Fred Arterberry was one of the early pioneer winemakers the 1970’s and produced many highly acclaimed wines from the Maresh Vineyard. In 1983 Martha and Fred had a son, Jim. His father’s winery label — Arterberry — closed upon Fred’s death in 1990. Beginning in 2005 Jim founded his own winery, Arterberry Maresh.
Raised on his family’s farm since he was born has given Jim a strong connection to and appreciation of the Red Hills of Dundee. He knows the vineyards, the neighbors and the various seasons and vintages that challenge and reward each grape grower and winemaker. His is a deep history of family, farming and winemaking. His wines reflect that heritage and the experience of three generations farming since 1959.”
