MANIFEST DESTINY PINOT NOIR:
A tribute to my family who crossed The Oregon Trail in 1847...
While retour is the french word for "going back", or "homecoming", Manifest Destiny is an ideology rooted in the notion of leaping forward, taking risks, and striving to achieve one's full potential. It is a true reflection of ideal American values: celebrating independence, innovation, exploration, and determination. This special project serves as a heartfelt and personal tribute to Lindsay Woodard's ancestors who were original pioneers in the Willamette Valley. The production of this wine is exceedingly limited each vintage, paying homage to its significance and heritage.
"SIX GENERATIONS AGO, my family set out on a brave and perilous Overland journey into the unknown. In 1847, they blazed the United States and crossed The Oregon Trail, with oxen pulling heavy Conestoga wagons, wooden wheels groaning over rocky passes, worn boots over tough terrain and ruts, and wagons rattling over dry riverbeds, and rivers. Dust rose under the scorching sun, and nights were lit only by flickering campfires and endless stars. They navigated swift streams, crossed treacherous river crossings, climbed steep mountains, and faced biting winds as they pressed westward toward what they called the vast, untamed “Promised Land.”
But the journey was as much a test of spirit as of strength. Each day demanded grit, resolve, and unwavering hope to keep moving forward despite hardship, uncertainty, and the weight of the unknown. These determined overlanders carried the courage and mental fortitude to carve out a new life in Oregon.
When they arrived in the fertile Willamette Valley, they didn’t just settle, they built. They founded three towns, a hotel, grist mill, flour mill, lumber mill, a schoolhouse, and two general stores. They constructed bridges and ferries, orchestrated the railroad development and served on the first territorial legislature that officially made Oregon part of the Union in 1859.
The pioneering vision, and adventurous spirit of my ancestors helped shape the western frontier and left a lasting mark on Oregon’s history. Today, I carry that legacy forward by crafting a wine that honors their courage, celebrates the relentless determination, and keeps the story alive.
The Story Is In The Bottle
Each sip of Manifest Destiny carries a profound connection to this bountiful and fertile region. We are devoted to crafting a wine that holds meaning and shares the history and soul of this glorious place. The 2016 Manifest Destiny captures the essence of a classic Pinot Noir - powerful and adventurous, yet pure and precise. Focused in character and balanced in elegance, it offers supple structure, gorgeous acidity, and fine, integrated tannins that lead to a persistent, gently spiced finish.