We just returned from a trip to Oregon that included visits to wineries in the Willamette Valley which stretches from Portland to Eugene, Oregon. The hillsides rising from the fertile valley are uniquely suited in climate and soils to the growing of Pinot Noir grapes. Many of the Pinot Noir wines are world class and the highest rated in North America. We were amazed at the diversity of Pinot Noir flavors found in these wines.
Readers of this blog may have noticed that we enjoyed and reviewed several Oregon wines prior to our trip and should not be surprised with posts about more Oregon wines in the near future. The following is a summary of the wineries we visited:
REX HILL
The first vines were planted at the Estate Vineyard in 1982 which along with their Jacob-Hart Vineyard is located in the Chehalem Mountain sub-AVA within the Willamette Valley AVA. In 2007, Rex Hill was sold to the founders of A to Z Wineworks. Today, A to Z produces large production, widely distributed wines and Rex Hill produces premium wines.
We were disappointed in our $15 tastings due to the server's lack of knowledge about the wines. Part way through the tasting he was relieved by a more knowledgeable server, but he was occupied with customers who were purchasing wine and was not attentive to our tasting. We did think the wines were very good and we especially enjoyed the 2016 Rex Hill Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir ($45). Rex Hill and A to Z have a compelling story about their socially responsible business practices but it was not mentioned on our visit.
ERATH WINERY
Erath Winery was the first winery in the Dundee Hills sub-AVA. Dick Erath was a pioneer in the Willamette Valley wine industry with the first commercial wine produced in 1972. In 2006, Mr. Erath sold the winery to Chateau St. Michelle and Mr. Erath's original house is now the tasting room.
We had a terrific tasting experience at Erath. Our server Patt, was very knowledgeable and attentive. Even though the tasting room was crowded and noisy, Patt served us at a table and thoroughly explained the wines. The $10 tasting included limited production, high quality wines. The Pinot Noir wines were spectacular, especially the 2014 Prince Hill Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills ($55).
WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS
I recently posted about the Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir which I found to be delicious. In that post, I told about being a very minor stockholder in this winery. Even though our ownership is extremely small, we were treated at the winery as though we were VIP's. We were given a personal guided tour of the winery, accompanied by a tasting of assorted wines and cheeses. We had access to the beautiful Club Room which is reserved for wine club members and stockholders. Jose' was a gracious host and knowledgeable guide. This was absolutely the highlight of our trip.
Willamette Valley Vineyards specializes in premium Pinot Noir. We tasted several low production and single vineyard wines and they were fantastic. We ordered a case of the wines and it will be shipped to us later in the fall. The Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir is available throughout the country ($25 to $30) and it is outstanding. My neighbors can find this wine at Wine Xpress in Simpsonville SC.
KING ESTATE
King Estate, near Eugene, was the most disappointing wine tasting of our trip. We have been drinking King Estate Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir for years and were anticipating a great experience. We arrived on Sunday after lunch to find that almost all of their beautiful facility was being used as their restaurant. The tasting bar was not very large and the only place available for drinking a glass of wine was on the patio which was in the hot summer sun and swarming with bees. We each had a tasting flight ($15) and half of the wines presented were the everyday wines we already buy. I would not recommend this as a wine tasting destination.
IRIS VINEYARDS
After our experience at King Estate, we stopped at the next closest winery to finish out our day. We had not anticipated a stop at Iris Vineyards but it worked out well. We opted for the mixed flight tasting ($9 each) and we enjoyed all of the wines. We especially liked Iris Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($24 at the winery) which has 30% of the grapes sourced from the Dundee Hills region. The soils of Dundee Hills impart cherry flavors to the wine and this wine is a very good value.
EOLA HILLS WINERY
The Eola Hills Estate Vineyard tasting room was opened in May 2018. Eola Hills was also a highlight of our trip. We each had a Classic and Reserve tasting ($10). Our server, Jack, is a nephew and grandson of the founders of the winery and was knowledgeable about all aspects of the Eola Hills story. The wines were outstanding and not as highly priced as some offered elsewhere. Jack even poured a few tastings of wines not part of our wine flight. We especially enjoyed the 2014 Barrel Select Pinot Noir ($36).
Readers of this blog may have noticed that we enjoyed and reviewed several Oregon wines prior to our trip and should not be surprised with posts about more Oregon wines in the near future. The following is a summary of the wineries we visited:
REX HILL
The first vines were planted at the Estate Vineyard in 1982 which along with their Jacob-Hart Vineyard is located in the Chehalem Mountain sub-AVA within the Willamette Valley AVA. In 2007, Rex Hill was sold to the founders of A to Z Wineworks. Today, A to Z produces large production, widely distributed wines and Rex Hill produces premium wines.
We were disappointed in our $15 tastings due to the server's lack of knowledge about the wines. Part way through the tasting he was relieved by a more knowledgeable server, but he was occupied with customers who were purchasing wine and was not attentive to our tasting. We did think the wines were very good and we especially enjoyed the 2016 Rex Hill Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir ($45). Rex Hill and A to Z have a compelling story about their socially responsible business practices but it was not mentioned on our visit.
ERATH WINERY
Erath Winery was the first winery in the Dundee Hills sub-AVA. Dick Erath was a pioneer in the Willamette Valley wine industry with the first commercial wine produced in 1972. In 2006, Mr. Erath sold the winery to Chateau St. Michelle and Mr. Erath's original house is now the tasting room.
We had a terrific tasting experience at Erath. Our server Patt, was very knowledgeable and attentive. Even though the tasting room was crowded and noisy, Patt served us at a table and thoroughly explained the wines. The $10 tasting included limited production, high quality wines. The Pinot Noir wines were spectacular, especially the 2014 Prince Hill Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills ($55).
WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS
I recently posted about the Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir which I found to be delicious. In that post, I told about being a very minor stockholder in this winery. Even though our ownership is extremely small, we were treated at the winery as though we were VIP's. We were given a personal guided tour of the winery, accompanied by a tasting of assorted wines and cheeses. We had access to the beautiful Club Room which is reserved for wine club members and stockholders. Jose' was a gracious host and knowledgeable guide. This was absolutely the highlight of our trip.
Willamette Valley Vineyards specializes in premium Pinot Noir. We tasted several low production and single vineyard wines and they were fantastic. We ordered a case of the wines and it will be shipped to us later in the fall. The Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir is available throughout the country ($25 to $30) and it is outstanding. My neighbors can find this wine at Wine Xpress in Simpsonville SC.
KING ESTATE
King Estate, near Eugene, was the most disappointing wine tasting of our trip. We have been drinking King Estate Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir for years and were anticipating a great experience. We arrived on Sunday after lunch to find that almost all of their beautiful facility was being used as their restaurant. The tasting bar was not very large and the only place available for drinking a glass of wine was on the patio which was in the hot summer sun and swarming with bees. We each had a tasting flight ($15) and half of the wines presented were the everyday wines we already buy. I would not recommend this as a wine tasting destination.
IRIS VINEYARDS
After our experience at King Estate, we stopped at the next closest winery to finish out our day. We had not anticipated a stop at Iris Vineyards but it worked out well. We opted for the mixed flight tasting ($9 each) and we enjoyed all of the wines. We especially liked Iris Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($24 at the winery) which has 30% of the grapes sourced from the Dundee Hills region. The soils of Dundee Hills impart cherry flavors to the wine and this wine is a very good value.
EOLA HILLS WINERY
The Eola Hills Estate Vineyard tasting room was opened in May 2018. Eola Hills was also a highlight of our trip. We each had a Classic and Reserve tasting ($10). Our server, Jack, is a nephew and grandson of the founders of the winery and was knowledgeable about all aspects of the Eola Hills story. The wines were outstanding and not as highly priced as some offered elsewhere. Jack even poured a few tastings of wines not part of our wine flight. We especially enjoyed the 2014 Barrel Select Pinot Noir ($36).
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