Evening Land (Seven Springs)
Summary
Evening Land Vineyards is a focused Oregon producer dedicated exclusively to the historic 80-acre Seven Springs Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, crafting primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from volcanic Jory soils in a microclimate influenced by cooling Pacific winds through the Van Duzer Corridor. Their traditional approach combines Demeter-certified biodynamic farming with minimal intervention winemaking techniques, including native yeast fermentations, judicious whole cluster use, and moderate oak aging to express the distinctive terroir of their east-facing vineyard.
Heritage & Leadership
Evening Land Vineyards was founded in 2005 by Mark Tarlov, with the acquisition of the historic Seven Springs Vineyard in Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills AVA serving as the cornerstone of the project. The Seven Springs Vineyard itself was originally planted in 1984, giving the estate access to some of Oregon's more mature vines. In 2014, a significant transition occurred when sommelier Rajat Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman took over management and ownership of the Seven Springs property, focusing the brand exclusively on this single vineyard site. This partnership brought together Parr's extensive wine knowledge from his background as a sommelier and wine director, and Moorman's winemaking expertise developed through his work in California. Under their leadership, Evening Land has maintained a dedicated focus on expressing the specific terroir of Seven Springs through Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.
Vineyards & Wines
The Seven Springs Vineyard encompasses approximately 80 acres on east-facing slopes in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley. The vineyard benefits from elevations ranging between 300 and 650 feet above sea level, with predominantly volcanic Jory soils that provide excellent drainage and mineral components. The east-facing aspect protects the vines from intense afternoon heat while capturing morning sunlight, contributing to the balanced ripening of the fruit. The vineyard is planted primarily to Pinot Noir (65%) and Chardonnay (25%), with smaller plantings of Gamay (10%). The original blocks planted in 1984 provide old-vine material for some of the estate's top cuvées. The vineyard's location in the path of the Van Duzer Corridor—a gap in the Coast Range that funnels cool Pacific air into the Willamette Valley—creates a distinctive microclimate with cooling afternoon winds that help maintain acidity and extend the growing season.
Philosophy & Practice
Evening Land has farmed the Seven Springs Vineyard biodynamically since 2007, receiving Demeter certification for these practices. The viticultural approach emphasizes soil health and biodiversity, with cover crops and compost preparations used to build soil structure. In the winery, Parr and Moorman employ minimal intervention techniques, beginning with native yeast fermentations for all wines. Pinot Noir fermentations typically include varying percentages of whole clusters depending on the vintage and specific block, ranging from 25% to 100% for certain cuvées. Extraction is gentle, favoring infusion over aggressive punch-downs. The wines age in French oak barrels, with new oak percentages kept deliberately moderate (typically 20-30% for the estate wines and up to 50% for the top cuvées). Chardonnays are whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented, with extended lees contact but minimal batonnage. The estate produces several tiers of wines, including the La Source and Summum bottlings from specific blocks within Seven Springs, showcasing the vineyard's distinct expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.