Windridge Vineyard

Terry and Cate Bendock came from Alaska to southern Oregon to retire. However, the decision to move to Oregon’s Illinois Valley was two years in the making. During that time, the Bendocks looked from British Columbia to northern California for a place that met their relocation criteria. In Alaska, Terry worked as a fisherman biologist, and Cate was a public school teacher. They were ready for a warmer clime with plenty of space to garden and give their chocolate Chesapeake Bay retriever, Willow, room to run. Luck was with them.

They purchased a 50-acre former thoroughbred farm in 1998. Located near the California border, the area is warmer than the Willamette Valley, yet at 1,400 feet in elevation, it cools off significantly at night. With Cate’s penchant for growing things and Terry’s biological background, it wasn’t long before they converted 8 acres of land into pinot noir plantings; more recently they added pinot blanc. Visitors this far south might be a little surprised to see pinot noir, but the marine air and cool nights result in perfect growing conditions.

At Windridge Vineyard, visitors experience pinot noir under the Bendock label. For convenience, the Bendocks make their wine at nearby Foris Vineyards Winery. However, visitors to Windridge Vineyard are also treated to other local wines such as Daisy Creek and Madrone Mountains. Carrying the spirit of cooperation further, Terry and Cate also are members of the renegade Rogue Appellation Garagiste Society (RAGS) – a not-so-secret gathering of small wineries and visitors who celebrate life, wine, and good food. Please visit www.windridgevineyard.com for event information.

This part of the Siskiyou Mountains offers unusual geology and flora. Here, for example, you will find unique serpentine soil and carnivorous pitcher plants that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a biologist’s dream, and goes a long way toward explaining Terry’s tagging of many of Windridge Vineyard property’s trees, each sporting a label with its biological name. Just like a scientist. Now, he has something else to label — genus Bendock Pinot Noir.