Episode 121: Brian O’Donnell
from In the Drink
Learn about soil science, irrigation and deep root vines on a comprehensive episode of In the Drink. Joe Campanale is joined by Brian O’Donnell of Belle Pente Vineyards. Brian and his wife Jill founded Belle Pente in 1992 with the purchase of a 70-acre farm just east of Carlton in what is now the heart of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Vineyards were planted starting in 1994, and their first commercial production of Pinot Noir was in 1996. Since the beginning, the goal has been to craft old world styled wines of impeccable balance and seductive complexity that reflect a strong sense of place. Carefully selected and well managed dry-farmed vineyards, staggered harvesting, meticulous hand sorting, small lot fermentations, 100% gravity processing, indigenous yeasts, finished wine moved directly-to-barrel (no settling), cold cellar temperatures to delay malolactic fermentation, long elevage, moderate use of new oak, and bottling without fining or filtration are among the techniques utilized to achieve this goal. This program was brought to you by Visit Napa Valley. “Vineyards by definition are a monoculture. The only thing you can really do is work the fringes and the environment.” [14:00] –Brian O’Donnell Belle Pente Vineyards
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