Founded in 1993, Duck Pond Cellars owns and operates 820 acres of vineyards in the valleys of northern Oregon and slopes of eastern Washington. Growing in these diverse climates allows Duck Pond Cellars to produce the best quality fruit for a wide selection of wines. The Oregon vineyards are located on a total of 325 acres in the Willamette Valley near Salem, Oregon; these vineyards lie approximately 60 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean on the southern side of the gently sloping foothills of Oregon's Coastal Range. It is in this region's perpetually mild climate that the Pinot family of grape is able to ripen slowly over the long summers. Fanned by cool Pacific air, the fruit is kept cool in summer and dry between the frequent rains. Grown in this region's fairly poor quality red, clay-based soil called Jory, the poor soil quality causes the vines to struggle, benefiting the overall quality of the grapes and forcing the vine to put its energy into ripening the fruit rather than producing foliage. Plantings include Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The Washington vineyard is situated on 520 acres in the Columbia Valley in a dry region east of the Cascade Range. This is the Desert Wind Vineyard which enjoys a climate very different from the mild slopes of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The climate here is extreme. The typical Bordeaux varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc thrive in these fierce summer conditions. With an annual rainfall of only 7"- 8", the vines require irrigation during the hot summer months. The soil is rocky and shallow with excellent drainage. Plantings at Desert Wind Vineyard include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Gewurztraminer.