A winery with some of the prettiest labels we've seen, Dundee Springs was established in 1990 by Chris Bower and Mary Lynne Perry. Jim Kakacek has supervised four vintages from Dundee Springs' Perry Bower Vineyard and last year became full-time winemaker. A University of California, Davis, graduate in enology, Jim discovered a passion for Pinot Noir while working in the Napa Valley and thus began his first steps on the road to Oregon.The 60 acre vineyard in the heart of the Red Hills of Dundee yields the Pinot noir, Pinot gris and Pinot blanc grapes that are the source for Dundee Springs' wines.

A note from the Owners:

Our love affair with the Northern Willamete Valley in Oregon began when on our travels we discovered the beautiful Oregon countryside reminiscent of the Burgundy Region of France and sampled the lovely and complex wines being produced in and around the small town of Dundee.

We purchased a hillside farm and orchard comprising of 110 acres with perfect jory soil for growing the difficult but elegant Pinot Noir Grape. Our vineyard property overlooks the town on Dundee, the meandering Willamette River Valley and the Cascade mountains to the east. Our PERRY BOWER vineyard is planted on the southeastern slope of the hill with elevations of 200-650 feet. The northern side of our hill is in heavy timber - a virtual forest. Within the forest flow natural springs that provide our crystal pure water, thus our appropriate Dundee Springs Label. Our first Pinot Noir grapes were planted in 1990. We presently have 60 acres planted to Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc. Our vineyard manager extraordinaire, Ken Smith farms our hillside with care and attention.

The red hills of Dundee, have now gained recognition and appreciation from wine enthusiasts and writers around the world. Robert Parker chose the area to establish his vineyard and winery. Although relatively small in grape growing acreage and wine production, the Willamette Valley and in particular the red hills of Dundee now consistently produce grapes and wines to rival the Burgundy area of France.

In 1998 we opened our "La Petite Tasting Room" in a cottage on our vineyard and invite the public to taste our wines, enjoy a picnic on our newly rennovated patio, and stroll through our demonstration vineyard.

At Dundee Springs we are continually striving to produce the finest varietal wines. Our plantings of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are proving to be quite exquisite. But, our first love will always be Pinot Noir. We continue to marvel at the elegance and majesty of wines produced from our vineyard and others in this beautiful valley. Oregon, and in particular, the hills of Dundee, are now gaining recognition as an area that produces world class wines. We hope to contribute to that reputation.

Jim Kakacek: Winemaker

Jim Kakacek is a University of California, Davis graduate in enology, Jim received his practical training at Monticello Cellars in Napa Valley. Starting out as an intern working harvest, he rose rapidly to become winemaker. He was part of the team that created the 1988 Corley Reserve Chardonnay, which tied for the top Chardonnay (Specator Top 100-1990) and, while winemaker made the Corley Reserve Chardonnay, which tied for the top Chardonnay on the Specator Top 100 list in 1994.

Although noted for his Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir is Jim's true passion. While working at Monticello, he discovered the attraction of making this difficult, delicate varietal, and thereby took his first step on the road to Oregon. Beginning 1995, Jim has been in control of the wine making for Van Duzer Winery,located near Dallas, Oregon.

While engaged as general manager and winemaker for Van Duzer, Jim finds time to produce for us our fabulous wines. With our exclusive, limited production, Jim is able to give us the expertise of his hand crafted wine making skills. Being a gentle craftsman, we feel Jim's philosophy of life and wine making is one of the secrets to the high quality of Dundee Springs wines.

About their Labels

Dixie Rogerson-Bill is a painter, sculptor and enamelist. Her whimsical style and quality compliments the approach we here at Dundee Springs Winery have about our wines. We take the quality of our wines and vineyard very seriously and yet we keep an eye to the lighter side of life.

Born in Centralia, Washington, Dixie always drew as a child. She is a disciplined, dedicated artist who spends many hours creating. By working in many media, a freshness is developed in expressing her love of color, pattern and design.

Her whimsical creations, involving people, children, flowers, animals and birds, emphasize fun and the joy of people. Dixie can be reached at www.localaccess.com/dixie/

Both the Pinot Noir and the Pinot Gris are Dixie's design.

The Pinot Blanc is the design of Judy Taylor.

Need Wine?

Call us at
541-752-7418
we love to talk
with our customers about
NW wines!

Store manager Ann Crowley-
10-6PM M-Sat

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Cole Danehower on
Oregon Wine

This is the best guide, bar none, to Oregon's wines. Insightful articles, interesting reviews, in depth interviews- you'll find them all here. Worth every penny if you're interested in Oregon wine.

Andy Perdue
on
Northwest Wine

Andy is editor of
Wine Press NW

Check it out!