2Hawk Vineyard and Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery offers an appealing and relaxing atmosphere with a tasting room that is focused on the re-use of old buildings. The owners are intent on creating delicious wines and offering visitors a delightful experience. It is not enough to be the best in Southern Oregon, they want to be the best on the West Coast.
2Hawk Vineyard & Winery was named by the original owners for the two red-tailed hawks that fly over the vineyard during the summer. The new owners decided to continue with the 2Hawk name.
Vineyards
During our mid-November visit, the vineyards were showcasing the last of the autumn colors. We learned that Jen and Ross Allen purchased the winery and vineyard in 2014. Ross, with a background in agriculture, is also in charge of vineyard management. He immediately saw that the vineyards needed to be revitalized and one of his first decisions was to tear out two blocks of the vineyard and replant. These blocks were replanted in 2014 and 2015. Today the vineyard includes: Viognier, Chardonnay, Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Grenache. Currently the vineyards comprise 23.8 acres. Ross noted that he has room to plant another seven acres. Vineyard management includes using ladybugs during the summer to control blister mites. Ross has added owl boxes and now has barn owls. Today everything in the vineyard is completed by hand. Only the best fruit is selected for the estate wines.
Tasting Room
The large rustic-style and impressive tasting room facility was built by the original owners. The room is filled with unique attributes. Visitors will want to look for the grapevine trim created from the first vineyards. The walls of rock lining the tasting room were created with the rocks from where the vineyards are now located. Many of the tasting room features are made with reclaimed items from old buildings.
Several interesting aspects inside and outside the tasting room to look for include:
• the mushroom board ceiling panels from Pennsylvania
• hand-hewn posts from a Pennsylvania barn
• porch posts from an historic brewery in Milwaukee
• cupolas from an old grocery store in Ohio
Four jars of the soils and rocks from the onsite vineyards are in the tasting room. These help visitors to see the importance of the vineyard soils in relationship to the wines.
Ross Allen’s Wine Journey
Before arriving in Southern Oregon, Ross acquired 30 years of agriculture industry experience in Fresno County, California. He is a 3rd generation farmer. Ross’s dad was a wine enthusiast and he liked the Cabs that were were coming from Napa Valley. Ross’s dad planted a small vineyard and Ross remembers that while growing up, there was always wine at dinner. He remembers using a little ceramic cup at dinner. By his early twenties, Ross was becoming interested in fine wines. He commented that as an adult he has always enjoyed a good wine. Eventually, Ross traveled through Southern Oregon and liked the region.
Ross and Jen decided to build a house in the Medford area. It was in the fall of 2013 when they looked at the 2Hawk property. Based on his vast agricultural experience, Ross recognized that there were challenges in the vineyard that could be rectified.
Winemaker, Kiley Evans
Kiley is the winemaker at 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery. His wine journey began early-on when he became interested in wine while working at a restaurant. He read about and researched wine. Eventually he realized that it was easier to sell a glass of wine with dinner than a cocktail. Later he became a sommelier at a Florida restaurant. In 2014, he attended UC Davis, graduating in 2002. His experience includes working at Abacela and then returning to the East Coast and working at Raffaldini Vineyards in North Carolina. He returned to the Rogue Valley and met Ross Allen in 2015.
In January 2016, Ross and Jen built the winery located on another part of the property. Kiley was also very involved in planning the new winery. The winery opened just in time for the 2016 harvest.
2Hawk Wines
Currently 2Hawk wines are available online, in the tasting room and in a few retail shops.
Chardonnay 2014, Southern Oregon AVA was a dark yellow color. The aroma was of apples. The taste included notes of apple, vanilla and a bit of caramel. The finish was crisp and fruity yielding to a light oak influence. Viognier 2014, Southern Oregon AVA was yellow with an aroma and taste of floral and yellow stone fruit. The finish was very crisp and fruity with a hint of mineral.
Grenache Rosé 2015, Rogue Valley AVA was an orange color. The aroma and taste were of strawberries and raspberries. The finish was crisp and the aftertaste was very fruity with a hint of chalk. This is a 3P wine - a wine perfect for the patio, porch or pool.
Pinot Noir 2014, Southern Oregon AVA was produced with fruit sourced from Applegate Valley. The wine was a translucent ruby color with notes of raspberries. The wine was medium/full-bodied with tannins. The finish was fruity. Pinot Noir 2015, Rogue Valley AVA was an estate wine with a red color and a dark pink hue. The wine offered notes of raspberries with a hint of leather. The wine was medium/full bodied with medium/bold tannins. The finish was fruity with a long aftertaste of fruit and oak. Tempranillo 2014, Southern Oregon AVA was an opaque, dark ruby color. The aroma was of dark fruits and the taste offered notes of black cherries and black raspberries. This full-bodied wine had bold tannins. The finish was crisp and fruity with hints of leather.
Ross noted that at 2Hawk winery, they are passionate about raising the bar on the quality of wine. The target for the owners of 2Hawk are to make ultra premium wines. They have a “can do” philosophy at 2Hawk.
While visiting 2Hawk winery tasting room to enjoy their wines, be sure to take time to locate the unusual architecture aspects both inside and outside of the tasting room. How many can you locate?
2Hawk Vineyard & Winery
2335 N. Phoenix Rd.
Medford, Oregon 97504
GPS: N42º 17.802’ W122º 48.862’
Article written December 2016
Support the following Oregon Wineries.
 |
 |
 |
|
| Civic Winery | King Estate | Sweet Cheeks Winery & Vineyard | |
 |
 |
||
| Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyard | Youngberg Hill |
