The Stermer Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA.

One of Oregon's younger wine-growing areas, the Yamhill-Carlton AVA is sheltered from dramatic weather turns by the Coast Range to the west, Chehalem Mountain to the north, and the Dundee Hills to the east. Its moderate conditions, combined with elevations from 200 to 1,000 feet, provide perfect conditions for Pinot Noir and other cool-climate grapes. The quick-draining soils in this area are mainly ancient marine sedimentary soils on a foundation of sandstone and silt. More info

In the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, J. Christopher sources fruit from two outstanding vineyards:

• Stermer Vineyard
• Yamhill Vineyard