Troon Vineyard

I do believe that there is a direct correlation between attention to detail and fine wine. The wineries that are in shipshape condition and whose staff is professionally trained but not stuffy are the ones that get my palate’s attention.

Such was the case when Kathleen and I pulled up to the French-villa-style compound of Troon Vineyard. The copper gutters reflected the noonday sun; the potted plants added elegance, and even the tasting room’s door had a purposefully solid feel. Once inside I was stopped in my tracks by the panoramic vista of Applegate Valley, afforded by the huge pane-glass window behind the tasting room’s wine bar. However, when I got the “Welcome to Troon Vineyard” greeting from a staff member, the familiar automatic response was triggered — I began to salivate. It’s an instinctual thing, but hardwood floors, granite countertops, and personalized wine-club member glasses stored behind the bar have a way of doing that to me.

I had already heard of Troon’s signature wine, Druid’s Fluid, and figured that any winery that bestows such a name on its top-selling wine must have a sense of humor. I wasn’t disappointed. Despite all the elegant accouterments of the room, the staff makes you feel at ease. They pour from an extensive collection of fine wine, focusing primarily on five varietals: chardonnay, merlot, syrah, zinfandel, and cabernet sauvignon. There are also several blended wines to sample, including the popular River Guide White and River Guide Red, as well as a port-style wine with an audacious name of Insomnia Port.

Way back in 1972, the original owner of Troon Vineyard, Dick Troon, planted grapes that appealed to him, in particular, cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel. Dick continued to cultivate and make amazing wines, but somewhere in the process of producing one red-blend wine, he botched the mixture. The result tasted wonderful, and it quickly became Troon’s number-one seller. Given his Celtic roots, Dick decided to name the wine Druid’s Fluid.

The Martin family acquired Troon Vineyard in 2003 and have only added to its elegance, its vineyard holdings, and its winemaking capabilities. Stroll over the grounds (complete with bocce ball courts) and note the stylish lawn furniture and fountain-adorned gardens. Take time to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio, as we did. If the classiness of Troon Vineyards doesn’t win you over, its award-winning wines will. It’s clear that winemaker Herb Quady has all the new-fangled tools needed to create superb Old World wines. And you can bet he’s got an eye for details.

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  Troon Vineyard was featured in WineTrails of Oregon as part of the Applegate Valley WineTrail on page !