Ecologically driven vineyard, winery & working farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley

 

Left Coast Estate is a 490 acre family-run operation with a focus on ecological stewardship through winemaking. It is the family business and multigenerational homestead of Cali Pfaff and the studio’s proving grounds for sustainable conservation and low-impact viticulture practices. 28% of the property is preserved as habitat areas with a 100-acre restoration of an Oregon White Oak savanna, among the largest in the region under private conservation in alliance with US Fish & Wildlife.

 

Founded in 2005, Left Coast has a twenty plus year track record of sustainable winemaking and experience-driven hospitality. The design of grounds reflect our stewardship philosophy, emphasizing native species conservation, low-impact construction—as seen above in the oak pavilion, and a material simplicity to honor and showcase the natural environment.

The vineyards, covering 160 acres of the property, are LIVE certified—a vigorous third party accreditation program for sustainable winemaking. Our vineyard crew, who call the property el rancho, have been with us for decades and the wine is a marker of the care and passion they put into the grapes.

In addition to grape farming 11 varietals, the Estate is a working farm. The crew raise livestock on the property, sheep mow the vineyards in the winter months, and a large production garden, greenhouse, and avian coop supply our tasting room with produce and eggs.

Since 2015, we have partnered with US Fish & Wildlife and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to restore 100 acres of Quercus garryana, Oregon White Oak, savanna. Within the Willamette Valley, less than 2% of this vital habitat remains. We are the largest conservation project of this kind within the Oregon wine industry.

The project began with extensive clearing of an understory of invasive species that was choking out the young oaks. Periodic controlled burns maintain the fire-adapted ecology of the savanna. Native seeding and planting brings seasonal superblooms of camas, allium, and trout lilies.

We (Cali and Chad) were married on the property, alongside our daughter Juniper (3 months old at the time). As Juniper, her siblings, and cousins represent the next generation of stewardship, we protect the oaks for the sake of the oak and for those who come next.

Project Partners

Client: Emily Henderson

Design Direction & Styling: Emily Henderson

Landscape Contractor: Northwest Native Landscapes

Kitchen Patio Collaborator: Yardzen

Architect / General Contractor: ARCIFORM

Photos by Kaitlin Green