The best vineyards in Oregon

The notable neighbor from the North

Approximately 700 miles (1,100 km) north of California lies a state, as diverse in weather and winemaking as the remaining 49 states combined. Oregon’s cooler climate enables wine grapes to thrive in a lush, cool, and rugged environment, yielding delicious and exceptional wines.

When you taste a wine from Oregon, you won’t be in doubt that this is some of the very best wine the world has to offer.

At the very best of times, the winemakers encapsulate the essence of Oregon, and once and for all prove that wine from the U.S. is more than just the juicy, jammy, muscular, and high-alcohol wines. For this reason alone, Oregon is worth a visit, and you are hereby invited on a written tour of highly recommended wineries to visit.

Oregon’s origin

Compared to the other winegrowing states in the U.S., Oregon isn’t much younger than, for instance, California or Washington State. It merely had its breakthrough a little later.

Today, it is the fourth most productive wine state in the U.S. and makes up 1% of wine made in the U.S. While this may sound like a small amount, it is actually quite impressive, since California is behind 90% of the country’s wine contribution.

In other words, we are talking quality over quantity here, make no mistake.

Oregon can today boast of 725 wineries spread out over 19 regions. Of these wineries, more than 500 are situated in the Willamette Valley, making this the must-visit destination of the state.

Global and local grapes

There are grapes, and then there are grapes. Oregon is home to many international and widely cultivated grapes, but three of them are unique to Oregon, in terms of flavor, style, and amount grown.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir reigns supreme in Oregon wine, just as it does in Burgundy, France. In fact, the similarities extend to more than just wines. The cooler climate is almost tailored to this elegant red wine grape and closely resembles that of Burgundy.

Additionally, many wineries of Oregon have a distinct French heritage, making Pinot Noir an ideal flagship wine for many of the wineries.

Chardonnay

Forget your creamy, oaky, and opulent chardys for a moment. Chardonnay in Oregon is about elegance, smoothness, and bright, balanced acidity that thrives in wet weather and short summers. As with Pinot Noir, the resemblance to Burgundy Chardonnay is as remarkable as it is delightful.

Pinot Grigio

In Oregon, Pinot Grigio combines the crisp acidity of Italian Pinot Grigio with the medium-bodied and mellow Alsatian Pinot Gris. Smooth, elegant, and refreshing, this Pinot Grigio can be used for everything from appetizers to main courses and even as a dessert wine, if it contains enough residual sugar.

The rest of the bunch

You will most definitely find the other classic grapes grown in the U.S., like Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc, but you will also come across grape varieties that most commonly belong to specific countries like Tempranillo (Spain), Malbec (Argentina), Gamay (France), and Barbera (Italy).

The French Connection

Alas, there is no red thread to the 1971 Gene Hackman thriller of the same name. But looking over (and tasting) the wines of the different vineyards in Oregon, it is impossible not to be aware of the inspiration from France.

Among them is Domaine Drouhin, which was founded in 1987. The owner, Véronique Boss-Drouhin, was already the architect behind some of the heavyweight wines of France, and in 2019, she was awarded the Legion d´Honneur, which is the highest wine award in France, for her wines in Burgundy.

Apart from Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and rosé, Domaine Drouhin also offers tastings that compare Oregon wines and French wines.

Another French-inspired winery is Beaux Frères, which means brothers-in-law. Founded in the late 1980s, they make a modern version of the Pinot Noir, and all their wines are aged in French oak barrels.

Other wineries with a French connection and/or inspiration that are worth mentioning include Domaine Serene, Ponzi, Bergström Wines, and Domaine Nicholas Jay.

WWW – The World of Willamette Wine

With more than 500 wineries in the Willamette Valley alone, it is fair to say that Willamette holds sway over the Oregon landscape. That being said, it doesn’t mean you can’t find incredible wineries in other regions, but you are not very likely to go wrong in Willamette.

Willamette Valley Vineyard

One of the Willamette heavyweights is the Willamette Valley Vineyard, which is one of the biggest in the state and is owned by hundreds of small shareholders. The winery has an estate chef for fine wine and dining, luxury suites, and five additional tasting rooms and restaurants.

White Rose Estate

But it’s not all about size. Just like Oregon wine in general, White Rose Estate is about quality over quantity. Not older than 2001, White Rose Estate uses whole clusters of grapes in their winemaking process, including vines, stems, etc. This produces a more classic, rustic, complex, and earthy wine that well and truly captures the soil of the Willamette Valley.

Antica Terra

If you are looking for an excellent wine and dine experience, Antica Terra is an ideal option. The focus is just as much on the food as on the wine, and like Domaine Drouhin, they also offer a comparison tasting between Oregon wines and international wines.

Ken Wright Cellars

Ken Wright Cellars is named after the founder himself, who studied wine in California. After first making wine in Monterey County, he moved to the Willamette Valley in 1986 because he saw the potential in the Pinot Noir. Today, he makes 13 different single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from 13 different vineyards, and all of them are regarded as some of the best in Oregon.

Alexana

For amazing cool-climate wines, Alexana is also a fantastic Willamette winery. Established by a doctor, healthcare entrepreneur, and wine enthusiast (match that CV if you can!), the winery is named after Dr. Madaiah Revana’s daughter, Alexandra. To top it off, their 2018 Pinot Noir was rated as the 14th best Pinot Noir in the world(!) by Wine Spectator.

Adelsheim

Founded in 1972, Adelsheim is one of the oldest wineries in the Willamette Valley. At the time, there were fewer than ten wineries in Oregon, and today the Adelsheim winery owns approximately 200 acres and boasts some of the best, beautiful, and balanced Pinot Noirs in Oregon.

The Roots art on fire

Roots Wine Company was founded in 1999, with the first Pinot Noir wines being harvested in 2002, resulting in a small batch production of 864 bottles.

With a bachelor’s degree in English, it wasn’t exactly set in stone that now winemaker and winegrower, Chris Berg, would enter the world of wine (and art). But when his parents moved from Illinois to Oregon and bought a small vineyard, it didn’t take long for Chris and his wife, Hilary, to follow.

Roots’ inventory is a mecca of artistic names, labels, grapes, and aging. For instance, their flagship Pinot Noir, Klee, is named after the artist, Paul Klee, and the label is inspired by his art. This makes up the majority of the wine production, amounting to 2,000 of the 5,000 cases made annually.

Furthermore, most of their labels are colorful, creative, and artful. The names range from Theo (a sparkling wine named after Chris and Hilary’s son), The Barrel Project (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache aged between 3 and 67(!) months), and Sheboygandy, named after the birthplace of Pinot Noir, Burgundy.

Apart from the classic grapes, Roots arent afraid to experiment with other grapes either. Tempranillo, Syrah, and Pinot Gris are all part of their repertoire, demonstrating skill, diversity, and deliciousness, and all handcrafted, organic, and sustainable.

Other Oregon wineries

Due to the more than 700 Oregon wineries, most of which offer wine tasting as well as wine and food pairings, we won't dwell upon them all. But here is a list, plus a few keywords, about the most highly recommended places to sample exceptional wine.

Argyle Winery

In the Dundee Hills, Argyle Winery serves some of the best still and sparkling wines in Oregon. If you are a fan of truffles, go there in February for the Oregon Truffle Festival.

Cerulean Wine

Cerulean (meaning heaven in Latin) is one of the few natural wine producers in Oregon. Established in 2007, the 29-acre vineyard provides authentic and organic wines that are well-suited to the local food.

Cristom Vineyard

One of the oldest Oregon wineries, its Pinot Noirs are among the most acclaimed in Oregon. Apart from Pinot Noir, they also make highly regarded Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Viognier, all made biodynamically and sustainably. Furthermore, all their wines are named after family matriarchs.

Elk Cove

A pioneer in the Oregon wine world, the second generation, led by Adam Campbell, boasts a modern-day tasting room and an exquisite dessert wine called Ultima.

Eyrie Vineyards

One of the catalysts behind Oregon wine, this second-generation, family-run winery has produced wines of finesse, balance, and charm since 1965. Furthermore, they are the proud family behind the first Pinot Gris in the U.S.

Furioso

A subtle 10 acres, but with plus 30 years of experience, these vines produce some of the most amazing Pinot Noirs in Oregon.

Gran Moraine

Does the name Kendall-Jackson ring a bell? Here, Californian power and structure meet Oregon elegance and depth in state-of-the-art Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

King Estate

Located in Eugene, King Estate is one of the largest vineyards in Oregon. It is known for its great Pinot Gris wines, which are organic. Apart from an impressive tasting room, the estate also includes a garden, orchard, and restaurant.

Mt. Hood Winery

Winner of the 2016 award, Oregon Winery of the Year, this is particularly impressive, since the winery has only existed since 2002, with an expansion in 2008. A family-run winery, it offers friendly staff, an amazing tasting room, and the possibility of getting a tour of the winemaking process.

Sokol Blosser Vineyards

Going back in time to 1971, there was no wine country in Oregon. But then a couple of newlyweds (Susan and Bill) took it upon themselves to plant vines and grow wine in a sustainable manner not seen before in the Dundee Hills. Today, they have 89 acres and celebrate more than 50 years of winemaking, making them one of the oldest Oregon wineries.

From vineyard to cellar to glass

Whether you are looking for a grand tour of vineyards and cellars or just to enjoy a nice glass of wine in a cozy tasting room, Oregon will obediently and happily oblige. From the picturesque Dundee Hills to the awe-inspiring Willamette Valley Wine region, you can enjoy wine tastings, incredible wine with food pairings, friendly staff, and highly recommended restaurants.

Oregon is home to some of the best wines in the world, and the many tasting rooms are well worth a visit. Although not the biggest of wine regions, the winemakers of Oregon continue to produce incredible wine and memorable moments, and the quality is undisputed.

So whether you are living in Portland, planning a trip to the Chehalem mountains, driving through Eugene, or even standing in the Oregon wine aisle of your local wine shop, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a glass (or bottle!) of Oregon wine.