“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant  

What a September! Harvest started September 15th and wrapped September 29th with all the fruit harvested and crushed at the winery, now fermenting away in assorted vessels. Matt has done an amazing job again. This is his 25th year of growing and harvesting our Estate vines at Compton Family Farms. This is a true family business in action. Our eldest son worked early harvest mornings in the vineyards with crews to bring in the fruit. Our middle son helped on the processing side at the winery (on top of his other full-time job), and our youngest son comes after school every day to do punchdowns on the fermenting red wines. It’s great conditioning for wrestling season.

The quality of 2026 fruit is excellent. The weather was moderate and very dry until some cooling rains in early September. Just enough rain to rinse the fruit off and give a little hydration. The biggest challenge we had right before harvest was birds. Even with an abundance of invasive blackberries, the birds were going for our grapes like never before. Tabitha spent a long day putting up bird tape all through the vineyard to discourage our feathered friends from the grapes, and it worked. The birds got some snacks but did not derail our harvest. Sorry, Woody Woodpecker, yes even woodpeckers along with starlings were enjoying snacks. 

And what a stir we’ve had in the Tasting Room! Our dear staff member, Angela, who is the backbone of our tasting room and wine club, and is so fabulous with our customers, got injured on Labor Day and had to have emergency surgery to put bones back together. Angela is back at work with us now, but sticking to desk job stuff while she is healing. You’ll get to say hello to her on the Wine Club party days at the greeting table. We found a great new addition to our Tasting Room in Nicole, who also contributed the recipe for our Fall Wine Club Release. You’ll meet Nicole on the second wine club party weekend or on a regular day in the Tasting Room. Tabitha has been working in the Tasting Room a lot too. It’s always fun to get the pours and stories from the owner, so be sure to pop in for your complimentary wine club tasting flights and weekend wine needs. We love to see you.

The new latest vintage Compton wines in your fall release are Concrete Chardonnay, Cellar Select Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2024 Pinot Gris may be new to you too, as it’s only been out since mid-summer. Rounding out the fall selections are familiar favorites (with low inventory) Mary’s Peak Vineyard and Llewellyn Cuvee Pinot Noirs. Taste them at the club party or on pour in the Tasting Room any Friday, Saturday, Sunday in October. 

Thank you for your continued support of our family business. We couldn’t do it without you. May you enjoy all the bounty of the harvest! 

Cheers,  Matt and Tabitha Compton

Concrete Egg Chardonnay, 2025 – NEW (2 Mix & 6 Mix Clubs)
Old vine Chardonnay from the Compton Estate is whole-cluster pressed and placed in our concrete egg tank to ferment and age. Concrete allows for a slow, cool fermentation with the wine circulating on the lees for a round, creamy mouthfeel. Concrete also retains floral and fruit aromas and flavors that would evaporate out of oak barrels. A refreshing way to Chardonnay.

Pinot Gris, 2024 – 94 Rating (6 Mix Club)
“A pretty straw/gold, this appealing, aromatic, fruit-driven Pinot Gris is a pitch-perfect blend from four different sites. Lush fruit flavors conjure up ripe orchard and light tropical components; the acid/skin tannin balance keeps both in their proper places. The wine fills the palate and rests comfortably before beginning to trail away through a long, refreshing finish with a lick of caramel.” – Paul Gregutt

Cellar Select Pinot Noir, 2024 – 93 Rating, NEW (All Clubs)
“A limited production, Croft vineyard blend of Pommard and Wadenswil clones. It’s been aged exclusively in a single concrete egg, yielding an elegant and tight wine, brand new and waiting to unfold. This will need time and attention, decanting if drunk soon. It’s textured and fine, with strawberries and pomegranate, cherries and berries, accented with lightly tangy citrus.”
– Paul Gregutt

Mary’s Peak Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2021 – 92 Rating (6 Mix and 6 Red Clubs)
Mary’s Peak Vineyard was established in 1976 by Rodger Kohnert and planted between 1977 and 1980 to the Wädenswil clone of Pinot Noir. Situated on East-facing slopes of alluvial, sedimentary loam soil, and in the rain shadow of the highest mountain in the Oregon Coast range, this dry-farmed vineyard consistently grows top quality Pinot Noir.

Llewellyn Cuvee Pinot Noir, 2021 – 91 Rating (6 Red Club)
Enjoy our blend of old-vine Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon 115 pinot noir from three dry-farmed vineyards off of Llewellyn Road south of Corvallis/Philomath: Llewellyn Cuvee Pinot Noir is aged in French oak barrels for 9 months and then moved to our concrete egg for 9 months.

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 – NEW (2 Red, 6 Mix and 6 Red Clubs)
Our small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon is made from vines planted in 1987, just a hop skip and a jump down the road from our family farm and estate vineyard. Cool-climate Willamette Valley Cab offers up food-friendly acidity backed by rich dark fruit alongside notes of cocoa cedar and tobacco.

2 Mix Club
Concrete Chardonnay, 2025
Cellar Select Pinot Noir, 2024

2 Red Club
Cellar Select Pinot Noir, 2024
Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022

6 Mix Club
Concrete Chardonnay, 2025
Pinot Gris, 2024 (x2)
Cellar Select Pinot Noir, 2024
Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022
Mary’s Peak Pinot Noir, 2021

6 Red Club
Cellar Select Pinot Noir, 2024 (x2)
Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 (x2)
Mary’s Peak Pinot Noir, 2021
Llewellyn Cuvee Pinot Noir, 2021