Michael Varga is committed to growing premium Pinot Noir in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The vineyards lie near the 45th parallel – halfway between the equator and the North Pole – the same latitude as Burgundy. The vineyards thrive on gently sloping hills composed of rocky volcanic basalts; they’re warmed to optimum temperatures by the mid-day sun and cooled by the ocean breezes at night. The vines are dry-farmed using sustainable practices, and all work is done by hand.