Pioneering Oregon Wineries

 

Barrel Fence Cellars
Two Worlds of
Pinot Noir

Barrel Fence Cellars

Barrel Fence Cellars, owned by Herb and Eleanor Sims, was in the unique position of producing premium “single estate” Pinot Noir from two of the world’s best Pinot Noir growing regions, the “Dundee Hills” in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Central Otago New Zealand.  These wines were sold at the Barrel Fence Cellars’ tasting room and selected Oregon retailers.

Barrel Fence Cellars Tasting Room SignThe winery was named after the one-of-a-kind fence made out of 12 renovated French oak barrels. 

In 1998 the Sims purchased 25 acres in Gibbston Valley near Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island with the idea of eventually building a small retirement cabin.  At the time there were few vineyards and wineries.  Gibbston Valley, known as the “Valley of Vines”, is a sub-region of the larger “Central Otago” viticulture area.
In 2002 the Sims planted about five (5) acres of Pinot Noir, and became New Zealand grape growers.

In 2003, after 18 years working and living in Saudi Arabia, the Sims purchased their Dundee home which was located on an eight-acre Pinot Noir vineyard. Later an additional vineyard and a winery were developed.

Vineyard owners often desire to see “their” grapes turned into “their” wine.  That moment came when the couple realized their New Zealand vineyard was located not far from 45th Latitude South (halfway between the equator and south pole) and the Dundee vineyards almost directly on 45th Latitude North (halfway between the equator and north pole). Hence “Two Worlds of Pinot Noir” was born. The wines were marketed under matching labels, Barrel Fence Cellars “45 North” and “45 South”.

The Barrel Fence Cellars tasting room opened in July 2010.  The couple closed their tasting room and retired from the retail wine business in 2018, but continued to operate both their Dundee and New Zealand vineyards.

 

 


 

Fun Fact

The winery was named after the one-of-a-kind fence made out of 12 renovated French oak barrels.