Purple Cow Vineyards

Jon and Wendy Armstrong were in another room one day when they overheard then-18-month-old daughter Sophie, who was taking a bath, exclaim, “It’s a purple cow!” At the time, Sophie’s language skills were minimal, so this observation got Jon and Wendy’s attention and they decided it wasn’t just a random occurrence. Thus, Purple Cow Vineyards was named.

What distinguishes Purple Cow Vineyards from the pack is Jon Armstrong’s willingness and desire to grow tempranillo grapes. You simply don’t find this variety in the Willamette Valley. To track it down, you need to venture more than 100 miles south to Umpqua Valley’s Abacela Vineyards & Winery. Tempranillo in the cool climes of Willamette Valley is unheard of. Yet thinking of tempranillo as a warm-weather grape is misguided. Tempranillo is the main noble grape variety in Spain’s northern region of La Rioja, where it thrives in the cool climate. This dark, almost black, noble grape ripens early and is great by itself as a single varietal wine or blended with other grapes. The Armstrongs have nearly 7 acres of grapes planted on the slopes of their clay Melbourne soil. In addition to tempranillo, the Armstrongs grow pinot noir, Muscat, and Maréchal Foch.

By day, Jon works at a nearby high-tech company; at night and on weekends, he satisfies his passion for making wine. Wendy is the business brains behind Purple Cow Vineyards; she manages the books, pours wine, updates the website and works as a full-time mom for the couple’s two daughters. Their Australian shepherd, Quincy, stays busy herding visitors and looking adorable. Although their tasting room is currently located within their home, that arrangement will change with the construction of a new winery and tasting room in 2009. Jon notes that the plans are ready to build the new winery on the hill above their home. No doubt, the views will be exceptional. Listening to their dreams and the excitement in their voices, it’s easy to imagine the whole family involved in the new facility, with Quincy running circles around them, a gleam in his eye.

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  Purple Cow Vineyards was featured in WineTrails of Oregon as part of the Forest Grove – Gaston WineTrail on page !