THE JUNE B-SIDES
TROON VINEYARDS & THE APPLEGATE VALLEY
This month we're featuring two wines from Troon Vineyard, a producer that has become one of the most fascinating experiments in American wine. Located in Oregon's Applegate Valley, Troon is challenging many assumptions about what Oregon wine should be. While most of the state's reputation has been built on Pinot Noir grown hundreds of miles to the north, Troon has embraced a completely different path—one rooted in Mediterranean grape varieties, regenerative farming, and a philosophy that places the health of the farm above all else.
The vineyard was originally planted in the early 1970s, making it one of the pioneering sites in southern Oregon. Its modern identity, however, began in 2017 when the property was acquired by Craig and Nora Camp. Craig, well known for his work at Cornerstone Cellars and Troon CEO since the acquisition, immediately set out to transform the estate into one of the country's leading examples of regenerative agriculture. Today, Troon is both Demeter Biodynamic and Regenerative Organic Certified, operating less as a vineyard and more as a diversified farm. Sheep graze between vineyard rows, chickens roam the property, cover crops blanket the soils, and every effort is made to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. The belief is simple but ambitious: healthier soils produce healthier vines, which in turn produce more expressive wines.
The Applegate Valley provides the perfect setting for this vision. Tucked into the Siskiyou Mountains near the California border, the region is warmer and drier than much of Oregon but remains surprisingly balanced thanks to its elevation and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts. The valley's complex patchwork of granite, sandstone, and ancient marine sediments has attracted growing attention from wine professionals in recent years, particularly for varieties traditionally associated with the Rhône Valley and the Mediterranean Basin. Troon has embraced this reality wholeheartedly, planting dozens of varieties that thrive in warm climates while retaining freshness and energy.
Troon Vineyard Druid's White
The Druid's White serves as the estate's introduction to this Mediterranean vision. Rather than relying on a single grape, the wine is assembled from a broad mix of estate-grown varieties that may include Vermentino, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, Picpoul Blanc, and Viognier. The blend shifts from year to year, reflecting the conditions of each growing season and the evolving character of the vineyard. Fermented with native yeasts and bottled with minimal intervention, the wine balances richness with remarkable freshness. Aromas of citrus blossom, white peach, fennel, and chamomile lead into a palate marked by bright acidity, subtle texture, and a distinctly mineral finish. It manages to feel both generous and precise, making it equally at home alongside oysters, grilled fish, fresh cheeses, or a roast chicken with herbs.
Troon Vineyard Druid's Red
The Druid's Red is built on the same philosophy. Drawn from a changing collection of estate-grown Mediterranean varieties—including grapes such as Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, and Cinsault—the wine is conceived less as a varietal expression and more as a reflection of the farm itself. Fermented with native yeasts and handled gently in the cellar, it offers an energetic and savory interpretation of southern Rhône-inspired winemaking. Notes of black cherry, raspberry, dried herbs, cracked pepper, and wildflowers emerge from the glass, while bright acidity and modest tannins keep the wine lively and approachable. Despite its southern roots, the wine carries a distinctly Oregon sense of freshness that makes it especially versatile at the table. Think grilled lamb, sausages, mushroom dishes, wood-fired pizza, or simply a summer evening with friends.
Two wines, one remarkable farm, and a vision for American wine that feels both forward-looking and deeply connected to the land. Troon's Druid's White and Druid's Red offer a glimpse into what may be the future of viticulture: wines that express not only a vineyard, but an entire living ecosystem.
