Pioneering Oregon Vineyards

 

Temperance Hill Vineyard
1980-Present

Temperance Hill Vineyard was established in 1980 by Dr. Edward Koo and his wife Lin Shen. Dr. Koo is a pathologist and neurologist and professor at the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine. The vineyard is located in the west Eola Hills near Salem.

The vineyard is 100 acres in size and planted to 20 different blocks. About 80 acres is planted to Pinot Noir with the remainder in Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Gewurtztraminer. The oldest vines were planted in 1980 and 1981. Soils are predominantly Nekia, Rittner, and Jory.

In 2013 Temperance Hill gained its Certified Organic status. It is also Salmon Safe Certified.

The Vineyard has an excellent reputation and sells grapes to about 20 Willamette Valley wineries.


 

Fun Facts

In 1997 a group of vineyard owners established the LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) program. In 2001 the Oregon LIVE program became the first US sustainability program to be certified by the International Office of Biological Control (IOBC).