Red and black cherry aromas with notes of pepper and a strong undercurrent of minerality. Finishes with a backbone of ripe tannins and balanced acidity.

St. Innocent Winery was founded in 1988 by Mark Vlossak, the current winemaker and president. Mark's training as a winemaker began when he was a young man and tasted wines daily with his father, a wine importer. As an amateur, he produced sparkling wine in 1985-87 and apprenticed with Fred Arterberry, Jr. at Arterberry, Ltd. in 1987 and 1988. He was the winemaker for Panther Creek Cellars from 1994-1999. St. Innocent produces small lot, handmade wines that are designed to complement various fine cuisines. St. Innocent has an interest in the Zenith Vineyard (formerly O'Connor Vineyard) in the Eola-Amity Hills where they now have 16 acres of Pinot Noir planted. The winery also works closely with 8 different growers, leasing specific blocks of vineyards to produce terroir specific wines. A new winery at the Zenith Vineyard was completed in time to receive the 2007 vintage harvest. This 17,500 sq. ft., 4 level, gravity facility features underground barrel rooms, a temperature controlled crush floor, and a 900 sq. ft. tasting room.

Technical notes

Freedom Hill Vineyard is located in the foothills of the coast range, southwest of Salem, Oregon. The vineyard was planted in 2004 with Pommard and Wadenswil clones on well-drained, silty clay loam at an elevation of 450-500 feet. Fermented in small stainless steel tanks and aged 16 months in French oak (32% new). Bottled without fining or filtration.