Lava Terrace Cellars
When traveling to Bend, Oregon, you may think of exploring ski slopes, lakes, hiking, mountain biking trails and visiting the well-known established breweries. With the high elevation’s colder climate, high desert plains, sagebrush and lava rock, you wouldn’t think a vineyard would be on your “to do” list. Yet, it should be to see the vineyard that Duane and Dina Barker has magnificently created. Lava Terrace Cellars is only 12 minutes from downtown Bend. The high elevation, 5.5 acre vineyard at 3,440 feet is the home to 4 different varietals of hybrid grapes. Originally planted in 2012, commercial sales didn’t start until 2020.
Vinifera grapes such as Pinot Noir, Gamay and Syrah, would struggle in the climate and soil in the Deschutes area. The Barkers’ planted the cold-hardy varietals of La Crescent, Marquette, Marechal Foch and Brianna, that all thrive in their vineyard’s terroir. The Barkers chose to plant hybrid vines to have a sustainable vineyard. The hybrid were originally crossbred by the French in the 1850’s to combat root louse caused by the insect Phylloxera by cross pollinating with Native American grapes. Lava Terrace’s surrounding ancient lava rock adds to the minerality of the grapes with little intervention during the wine making process. In its first year entering two wine competitions, Lava Terrace earned six medals. At the Sunset International Wine Competition, Lava Terrace Cellars received silver medals for their 2017 Barrel Aged Marachel Foch and 2018 La Crescent. The 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition awarded silver medals for its 2018 Reserve - One Barrel Marechal Foch and 2019 Marquette, and bronze medals for its 2018 and 2019 La Crescent.
The 2019 Marquette’s Pinot Noir linage shines through resulting in a lighter wine with great color and delightful aromas of strawberry, rhubarb, and cherry. The Marquette dances in the mouth with bright fig and strawberry flavors and a pleasing acid and warm vanilla finish.
Pair their award-winning 2018 La Crescent with fish, pork or lamb dishes along with a cheese plate and crisp salad to compliment the delightful aromas peach and honeysuckle filling the palate with creamy soft fruit flavors and a surprising honey finish.
Award-winning 2017 Marechal Foch tantalizes the palate with flavors of dark cherry and chocolate with a soft vanilla finish. The aromas of cocoa and fig will fill your senses, and the integrated tannin and balanced acids linger with notes of leather to enhance this amazing wine. Serve their Foch at room temperature with beef, pork or curry dishes. Pairs perfectly with your favorite chocolate.
Visit www.lavaterracecellars.com to learn more.
