Saffron Fields Vineyard
The name Saffron Fields came easily. Inspired by the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” and the golden hues of harvest, Sanjeev saw the vineyard as a dream realized. Saffron, a sacred color in Indian culture, also symbolizes serenity and purity, values reflected in our land, heritage, and sustainable practices.
Our Region
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is one of the world’s premier regions for Pinot Noir, thanks to its cool nights and long ripening season. Saffron Fields Vineyard is proudly rooted in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA—home to some of the valley’s most expressive and elegant wines.
Our AVA
Yamhill-Carlton
Nestled between the towns of Yamhill and Carlton, the Yamhill-Carlton AVA sits on some of the oldest marine sediment soils in the Willamette Valley. Protected by the Chehalem Mountains and lying in the Coast Range’s rain shadow, this region enjoys warmer, drier days and cool nights. These conditions, along with free-draining soils, encourage early ripening and low vigor, adding complexity and structure to our wines. Each vintage reflects this unique terroir and the dedicated touch of our winemaker, Tony Rynders.
Our Soil
An Ancient Sea Floor
Our 89-acre property rests on ancient marine sediment soils—shallow, well-drained Willakenzie, Belpine, and Carlton types over soft sandstone. At 250–450 feet elevation with south-southwest exposure, the site benefits from ideal sunlight and microclimate for even ripening. Since 2007, we’ve planted 28.5 acres of Pinot Noir (Pommard, Wadenswil, 115, 777, 928) and 2.5 acres of Chardonnay (76, 548), all dry-farmed with sustainable practices to express our vineyard’s true character.
Our Certifications
Live and Salmon Safe
LIVE-certified Low Input Viticulture and Enology. (www.livecertified.org) LIVE certification, created by Oregon winegrowers in 1997, recognizes vineyards committed to sustainable farming. Backed internationally by the IOBC, it requires ongoing improvements in ecosystem diversity and a reduction in chemical use. Vineyards undergo regular third-party inspections to ensure they meet these high environmental standards.
Salmon Safe. (www.salmonsafe.org). Protecting Salmon goes hand in hand with sustainable certifications, spotlighting farms that protect thriving streams and rivers. By controlling soil erosion, managing runoff, and preserving lush riparian buffers, Salmon Safe helps safeguard water quality and the wildlife that depend on it, making every bottle kinder to the environment.
Our Sustainability Practices
Agriculture is life
Sustainability at Saffron Fields extends beyond the vines. Our ponds provide habitat for ducks and support an active food web that includes osprey, kingfishers, and other raptors. Tadpoles, frogs, and salamanders thrive in and around the water, while the vineyard and gardens provide habitat and food for bees and other pollinators. We manage the vineyard with both the needs of the vines and the surrounding ecosystem in mind. For us, a healthy vineyard is part of a larger living landscape, where agriculture and wildlife can thrive together.
Sustainability also means questioning traditions that no longer serve a purpose. At Saffron Fields, we eliminated capsules from our wine bottles with the 2020 vintage because they add material and waste without improving the wine inside. The change may seem small, but small choices add up. It reflects our commitment to reducing unnecessary packaging and making thoughtful decisions about our environmental impact.
