MEADOWLARK
Located in the hills east of Ashland, this high elevation site (2200 feet) was planted in 2001. The parent rock is decomposed granite but the vines are growing in an ancient riverbed (lots of river cobbles just below the surface). This site is very nutrient poor and has a south to southeastern aspect. Typcial crop load is usually around 1.8 tons to the acre. This site is also very windy, with regular patterns of airflow in the afternoon during the summer months. Total vineyard size is 4 acres, split between Syrah (Southeast aspect) and Grenache (southern aspect). The Syrah goes to Goldback Syrah, the Grenache is the backbone of Goldback Rose.
PARADOX
Situated next door to Meadowlark vineyard, this site is also relatively high in elevation (2100 ft) with the original vines planted in 2003. The northern block is around 1.2 acres and was initially planted to Viognier and Pinot Gris, but was grafted over to Chenin Blanc in 2019. The soils here are similar to Meadowlark, with decomposed granite overlaid by ancient river cobbles. It is a very nutrient poor site, which provides a natural check on the Chenin Blanc vines (which can be very vigorous). This site has a northern aspect and is currently one of two vineyards planted to Chenin Blanc in the Rogue Valley.
JAXON
Located due east of Phoenix, this vineyard is planted in deep silty clay loam with sandstone as the primary parent rock. Planted between 2006-2017, the site has a gentle slope and south-southeast aspect. Elevation is approximately 1800 feet. Goldback has been sourcing Syrah and Grenache from this site since our first vintage in 2016. The older block of Grenache (planted 2006) is dedicated to our single varietal bottling of Goldback Grenache. The younger vine Grenache (planted 2017) is used for Goldback Rose as well as the Carbonic Grenache. The Syrah (planted 2006) ends up in the Goldback Cuvee, along with a portion of the older vine Grenache.
