The Home Ranch

The Home Ranch includes the oldest vines owned by Kraemer Farm: Pinot Gris, Early Muscat, Pinot Noir and a very small amount of Viognier and Muller-Thurgau , all planted by 1995. These were the original basis upon which the Kraemer Farms vineyard program was built. With this in mind, it is, in retrospect, highly appropriate that these vines were planted on a hill overlooking the very first property owned by the founders of Kraemer Farms, Harold and Ann Kraemer. Today, the Homeplace Ranch includes some of Kraemer Farms' most successful vineyards, and will be the site of future plantings. It is the most diverse of all the ranches operated by Kraemer Farms, with a total of seven different varieties found on-site. Most of these varieties are small acreages, and hearken back to an experimental era in the history of the Kraemer Farms' vineyard program.

The House Hill Vineyard, with Lake Harold on the right. The short rows in the immediate foreground are home to several different varietal plantings. Proceeding into the distance the order of plantings are Pinot Gris, Muscat and finally Pinot Noir in…

The House Hill Vineyard, with Lake Harold on the right. The short rows in the immediate foreground are home to several different varietal plantings. Proceeding into the distance the order of plantings are Pinot Gris, Muscat and finally Pinot Noir in the furthest distance. In the distant and on the right is the Butsch blocksof the House Hill Vineyard.

The House Hill Vineyard

The House Hill Vineyard occupies an elevated position above Lake Harold, a large irrigation pond named after the late patriarch of the Kraemer family, Harold Kraemer. Prior to the installation of Lake Harold, the ground which would eventually be planted in the House Hill Vineyard sat above a ravine; consequently, the House Hill Vineyard is blessed with a considerable cooling influence from the lake, while at the same time possessing well-drained, silty Amity soils. The House Hill Vineyard has two slopes: a gradual slope running from west to east, and a more drastic slope running from the banks of Lake Harold to the other end of the vineyard. 

This vineyard is planted in an unusually diverse assortment of varietals: Chardonnay, Muller-Thurgau, Viognier and Riesling are all represented in small amounts of less than one-tenth of an acre, alongside larger plantings of Early Muscat and Pinot Noir. These plantings date back to between 1995 and 2000, and represent an era when Kraemer Farms was just beginning its vineyard program. Today, the Pinot Noir planted at the highest point of the House Hill vineyard is much in-demand, and the small amounts of different varietals are often used in small-lot bottlings, to varied and interesting effect.

  • Soil: Amity
  • Elevation: 173-210 ft.
From top left, clockwise: the House Hill Vineyard; Butsch's Vineyard; Rody's Vineyard. Lake Harold occupies the center of the map. 

From top left, clockwise: the House Hill Vineyard; Butsch's Vineyard; Rody's Vineyard. Lake Harold occupies the center of the map. 

Andy's Vineyard

One of the youngest vineyards operated by Kraemer Farms, Andy's Vineyard produces very high-quality Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The initial planting was Pinot Gris in 2005, followed by a planting of Pinot Noir in 2008. Despite the relative youth of these vines, Andy's has produced acclaimed wine grapes since it entered full production. 

  • Soil: Amity
  • Elevation: 198-216 ft. 

 

The Rody Vineyard in the midst of a rare winter snowfall. While initially ominous-seeming, snow actually prevents frost damage in vineyards by providing a blanket of protection against cold winds. 

The Rody Vineyard in the midst of a rare winter snowfall. While initially ominous-seeming, snow actually prevents frost damage in vineyards by providing a blanket of protection against cold winds. 

Rody Vineyard

The Rody Vineyard produces high-quality Early Muscat with a singlarly sweet and tangy flavor profile which is perfect for dessert wines, sparking wines or as a blending agent. The cooling effect of Lake Harold, combined with consistent light and heat throughout the day, ensures a reliable, high-quality crop year after year. 

  • Soil: Amity
  • Elevation: 177-191 ft. 
These vines, planted in 2016, are the first part of the planned Willig Vineyard. With the completion of the 2018 plantings, the Willig Vineyard will

These vines, planted in 2016, are the first part of the planned Willig Vineyard. With the completion of the 2018 plantings, the Willig Vineyard will

Willig Vineyard

The impressive quality of Andy's Vineyard has made that area a prime target for future expansion; hence, the Willig Vineyard. Named for the original owners of the property which would one day become Kraemer Farms, the Willig Vineyard is planted in Amity soils, with a small band of Concord soils. The initial planting of Pinot Gris was in 2016, and 2018 will see additional Pinot Gris and a small amount of Eary Muscat as well.

  • Soil: Amity
  • Elevation: 178-201 ft. 
A foggy fall morning over Lake Harold, as viewed from the Butsch Vineyard. 

A foggy fall morning over Lake Harold, as viewed from the Butsch Vineyard. 

Butsch Vineyard

The Butsch Vineyard abuts the House Hill Vineyard, and is directly across from the Rody Vineyard, over Zollner Creek. The Butsch Vineyard is planted in Pinot Noir, and features a relatively significant slope running from south to north. Like the House Hill Vineyard, the Butsch Vineyard's soils are predominately Amity; together with the slope, this ensures the Butsch Vineyard is well-drained. 

  • Soil: Amity, Woodburn
  • Elevation: 179-211 ft.