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Head Winemaker Heather Perkin Interview

Heather Perkin was interviewed by Linfield University's Oregon Wine History Archive as part of their oral history project to preserve the memories and voices of important figures in wine.

In this interview, Heather speaks about growing up in Australia and her early education in wine. After finishing school, she found an internship at Elk Cove with the intention of boosting her résumé to work in New Zealand or Australia. Instead, she worked her way from intern to assistant winemaker to recently being named head winemaker for Pike Road, Elk Cove's sister brand.

Heather talks about her favorite parts of the winemaking process, and about growing her skills in logistics, blending, and mentoring interns. She also talks about the challenges in her new position and what she's looking ahead to.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston on April 18, 2023.

 

Double Gold - 2023 McMinnville Wine Competition

Our 2018 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir has been honored with Double Gold Medal from the 2023 McMinnville Wine Competition. 

"The Campbell family, owners of storied Elk Cove Vineyards, are pouring the McMinnville Wine Classic’s top sweet wine at its Pike Road Wines tasting room in downtown McMinnville — the Pike Road Wines 2021 Route 47 Dessert Wine ($25), an Alsace-inspired blend of Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Pike Road winemaker Heather Perkin also won a double gold medal for her 2018 Pinot Noir off historic Shea Vineyard." - Eric Degerman

Double Gold & Best Dessert Wine - 2023 McMinnville Wine Competition

Our 2021 Route 47 has been honored with Double Gold Medal and "Best Dessert Wine" from the 2023 McMinnville Wine Competition. 

"The Campbell family, owners of storied Elk Cove Vineyards, are pouring the McMinnville Wine Classic’s top sweet wine at its Pike Road Wines tasting room in downtown McMinnville — the Pike Road Wines 2021 Route 47 Dessert Wine ($25), an Alsace-inspired blend of Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Pike Road winemaker Heather Perkin also won a double gold medal for her 2018 Pinot Noir off historic Shea Vineyard." - Eric Degerman

Heather Perkin Promoted To Head Winemaker

PRESS RELEASE

February 23, 2023, McMinnville, Oregon - After 15+ years of working with the Campbell family, moving up the ranks and proving herself in the cellar, Heather Perkin has been promoted to the Head Winemaker position for Pike Road wines. Perkin has been making wine since the early 2000s when she studied Agriculture Science and majored in Enology at Adelaide University in South Australia. She has a meticulous and creative approach to winemaking:

“My winemaking style makes creative use of the growing season’s influences on the fruit from each unique vineyard site. While I tightly regulate the production processes to ensure consistent quality, I leave plenty of room for the grapes to shine. My role is to continue the vineyard crews’ hard work and shepherd the grapes to bottle.” – Head Winemaker Heather Perkin

Pike Road Wines launched in 2016 and is the sister winery to Elk Cove Vineyards, founded by Pat and Joe Campbell in 1974 and the first vineyard and winery in what is now the Yamhill-Carlton AVA (American Viticultural Area). Elk Cove is now in the second generation under Winemaker/Owner Adam Campbell and their wines are 100% estate grown, whereas the Campbells purchase fruit from 20+ growers in the northern Willamette Valley to produce their wines under the Pike Road label.

“I am thrilled to be working alongside family-owned vineyards. My first exposure to the wine industry was at the age of 16, working alongside my dad in the vineyard. I feel I am coming full circle, working with people who are passionate about their vineyards and have amazing stories to share about their grape growing journeys. I am excited to shepherd their long hours in the vineyard to bottle for everyone to enjoy!” - Head Winemaker Heather Perkin

Over the last 50 years, it’s either been Adam Campbell or his father Joe at the helm, so naming Heather as the Head Winemaker for Pike Road Wines is a big step and it’s a testament to her skills, passion and devotion to her craft.

Heather Perkin & Adam Campbell

“Heather Perkin has been an indispensable part of the continued success of my family’s Elk Cove Estate as well as the meteoric rise of our sister winery Pike Road Wines! Since this amazing human being first started here in 2005 as a Harvest Intern, I’ve been so fortunate to partner with her on pushing quality forward for my two wineries. From amazing Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs to our aromatic whites and more recently traditional method sparkling wines, Heather’s palate and intuitive sense of our needs in the cellar have pushed quality to the highest level imaginable. I feel so fortunate to work with Heather to continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible for all of the Elk Cove and Pike Road wines!”  – Owner/Winemaker Adam Campbell

In less than 10 years, Pike Road Wines has grown its production to 38,000 cases per year, with a focus on value-driven, quality Willamette Valley wines. Pike Road Wines are now distributed in 49 states and 5 export markets. Pike Road has a Tasting Room in McMinnville Oregon with over 600 Wine Club members. In less than a decade, Pike Road wines have been awarded over 50 awards from major magazines of 90 points and above.

About Pike Road Wines:

“At Pike Road, we believe great winemaking starts with great farming. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to support small family-owned vineyards to create wines of quality, value and integrity, sourcing fruit from over 20 farms in Oregon’s northern Willamette Valley covering six unique sub-AVAs: Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, Laurelwood, Tualatin Hills & Yamhill Carlton. With over four decades of experience at Pike Road’s sister winery Elk Cove Vineyards, our family has a long history here in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. We are committed to preserving family farms through our longtime partnerships with growers from around the valley.” - The Campbell Family

Quick facts about Pike Road:
• 38K annual case production. Winemaking at Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston, OR
• Fruit sourced from Elk Cove’s estate plantings and 20+ small vineyards in the northern Willamette Valley
• Wines include Pinot Noir, Rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sparkler and Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs from several well-known vineyards including Shea, Fairsing and Temperance Hill 

Download a PDF version of this press release
 

 

Outstanding Value - Drinkhacker

Pike Road Wines 2020 Chardonnay Willamette Valley received a great review from Drinkhacker:

"Oregon’s Pike Road Winery has more than 20 partner vineyards in the Willamette area, using those grapes to produce a huge range of bottlings from numerous AVAs in the region. We were fortunate to recently try three new releases. Let’s dig in.

2020 Pike Road Chardonnay Willamette Valley – A delightful chardonnay with all the fixins: fresh apple, lemon curd, orange cream, and a touch of tropicality — guava, mainly — on the finish. Very light vanilla notes indicate someone had a deft touch with the barrel. Hints of fresh herbs add some complexity to an otherwise exuberantly sunny and fruit-forward palate, though the spice-laden kick doesn’t ever come close to dominating. The finish, however, finds a floral/grassy balance that feels both cleansing and adds a pleasing, moderate complexity. Outstanding value. A / $18" - Christopher Null, Founder and editor in chief of Drinkhacker

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Pike Road Wines 2019 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir received a 93-point review and "Editors' Choice" from the Wine Enthusiast Magazine:

"This is among the earliest releases of vineyard designates from this iconic site, giving a heads-up preview of what's to come. Spicy, sharp and tightly wound, with a dense mix of blackberry, earth, compost, coffee and high-cacao chocolate, it will take some serious decanting to unpack this wine. The balance is spot-on and the flavors meld beautifully". - Paul Gregutt

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Pike Road Wines 2020 Matteri Vineyard Chardonnay received an excellent 90-point review from the Wine Enthusiast Magazine:

"Juicy Blenheim apricot and Meyer lemon aromas fill the air, with touches of talc and oregano floating in the background. Toffee and butterscotch flavors are a nice match for the wine's creamy mouthfeel and modest acidity. There is also a buttered cornbread drizzled with honey flavor combination here that will keep you sipping all night long". - Michael Alberty

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast

 

Pike Road Wines 2020 Chardonnay Willamette Valley received an excellent 90-point review from the Wine Enthusiast Magazine:

"Smear a little lemon curd on a warm brioche straight from the oven to get an idea of the aromas this Chardonnay gives off. There's also a small herbal note on the nose that's like crushing chamomile between your fingers. The wine's crisp, clean mouthfeel and brisk acidity make a nice foil for flavors like lemon, and iced black tea with a dab of honey". - Michael Alberty

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast

 

Pike Road 2019 Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir received an excellent 90-point review from the Wine Enthusiast Magazine: 

"Great fruit from a legendary vineyard can be magic in the hands of a skilled winemaker. This little bit of magic features flora aromas of sweet peas and lavender, with lots of strawberry and lemony laundry powder. The wine's tannins are silky, but the acidity reaches heights that will make your tongue tingle. Cherry fruit, leather and clove flavors round things out". - Michael Alberty

 

94 Points, Platinum Medal and Best Buy - Great Northwest wine Platinum Awards.

Pike Road Wines 2021 Pinot Gris received an outstanding 94-Point review, a Platinum medal, and Best Buy at the Great Northwest wine Platinum Awards.⁠
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"Best Buy! Whenever the Campbell family enters its Pinot Gris into a competition, gold medals are on the horizon. Five years ago, associate winemaker Heather Perkin took best of show at The Invite with her Gris, and the consistency is astounding. The aromatics are through the roof and land on the palate - a combination of papaya, Granny Smith apple and Bartlett pear that's finished with Mandarin orange and ginger powder." - Great Northwest Wine⁠

Each year, Great Northwest Wine builds upon the history of the Platinum Awards, a competition staged each October with a tradition that is unlike any other in the Pacific Northwest. The 2022 judging will be staged in late October in Washington state’s Columbia Valley. Learn more on their website at: www.greatnorthwestwine.com