Sustainable Winery Restores Oregon’s White Oaks

Left Coast Estate is more than an award-winning winery: it’s an industry leader in sustainability. Located directly off 99W, it may not look like much from the highway, but the 490-acre property in the Van Duzer AVA —American Viticulture Area — exists within its own microclimate amidst the hills and includes a wildlife habitat with 100 acres of Oregon white oak savanna preserved and restored.

A second-generation family-owned operation, Left Coast was founded in 2003, and back then, winemaking in their specific region was in its infancy. “A lot of it was concentrated further north, through Dundee, so we were one of the early pioneers in developing viticulture in this area,” explains CEO Taylor Pfaff. They focused on growing grapes and opened their tasting room in 2007. With Taylor’s father as master gardener and his sister as the landscape architect, they cultivated a stunning property that’s become a haven for Willamette Valley wine enthusiasts.

Left Coast truly embraces the working farm mentality. When you visit, you’ll likely see ducks and chickens whose eggs are used to create different dishes for the tasting room, along with a high-tunnel garden with vegetables and herbs. Their micro-herd of sheep graze the 162 acres of vineyards and even parts of the oak forest. About 200 acres of the property are set aside for wildlife habitat, and a significant portion of that is Oregon white oak savanna, the most threatened habitat in the Willamette Valley.

The restoration process is lengthy, with years’ worth of high-density clearing and the reintroduction of native plants. Left Coast has also restored a portion of their neighbor’s property, and with the National Slough National Wildlife Refuge close by, the ecological impacts on the region are sizeable. “It takes a multi-generational impact,” Taylor says, “and you need large acreages of this habitat to make a meaningful difference. We’ve also noticed an improvement in the phenolic ripeness of our grapes, so we’re developing complex flavors and aromas.” The winery is LIVE Certified Sustainable and was awarded the LIVE Certified Award for Excellence in Sustainability for 2024.

The Van Duzer Corridor was recognized as an AVA in 2020, and it’s the perfect environment for growing grapes, especially for the most treasured varietal in Oregon, Pinot Noir. “Our goal is to represent our little corner of the valley. The defining feature of the AVA is the maritime wind coming in off the ocean,” explains Taylor. “The cold slows down the ripening and produces thicker-skinned grapes, which allows for a longer development of phenolics.” This process makes for extra aromatic, full-bodied wines with soft silky tannins and a light elegant finish. Left Coast has received national accolades for its efforts, including Oregon Winery of the Year by Wine Press NW in 2020.

The cozy tasting room at Left Coast is open seven days a week. Flights rotate through their fantastic portfolio of 37 different wines, emphasizing those not sold in stores and only available on-site. Guests can enjoy their wine with fresh, wood-fired pizza crafted by Chef Mike Strouts or try the 45 North Wine experience, where he’ll prepare a custom farm-to-table meal with wine pairings. Wine club members enjoy benefits like free tastings and discounts on wine and events. For a more dynamic experience, the family offers vineyard and winery tours in one of their many tour vehicles. Make sure to visit the sparkling cave, an underground space they dug on the property for aging their sparkling wines. In the warmer months, visitors can enjoy their tasting on the spacious outdoor patio or at picnic tables nestled amidst the oak savannas with live music on Friday nights.

Left Coast is partially woman and minority-owned with a unique, modern family ownership structure that’s evolved over the years. Taylor’s parents started the vineyard, and he and his three siblings were the first owners, with half of the estate in a trust for the third generation. One of the brothers sold his share to Shardul Ghogale, now the national sales director. In 2006, the Garcia brothers joined the team and now run the entire vineyard crew, which includes many of their family members. Joe Wright, the Director of Viticulture and Winemaking, has been with the company since 2010, and his tremendous talents have been instrumental in making Left Coast what it is today.

The winery hosts events year-round, including culinary series’ and The Great White Wine Festival. They’ve also created a single-track trail run that explores the entire property, and every year on the first Saturday in August, they host Run for the Oaks. This 5-10k run raises money for continued oak forest restoration and preservation. Left Coast welcomes all kinds of visitors, from the novice to the experienced connoisseur. They even have a bilingual associate for Spanish-speaking guests. “Even if you’ve never been wine tasting, this is a great spot to start,” Taylor says. “We pride ourselves on being an inclusive spot and are passionate about teaching beginners.”

Left Coast Estate is located at 4225 N Pacific Hwy W in Rickreall. Please give them a call at (503) 831-4916 or visit their website at leftcoastwine.com.