Yamhill-Carlton Wineries

As one of the first 10 wineries in Oregon, you might expect Elk Cove to have some old vines, and they do…old vine pinot noir of superb quality. This hillside vineyard overlooks a mesmerizing vista that combines all things Willamette Valley is in one view. Intimate and friendly, the tasting room and terrace invite you to linger but that short walk to the old vines is compelling and rewarding. The pinots here are expertly crafted and truly represent some of the best Willamette Valley has to offer.

Established by one of the founding fathers of Willamette grape growing, Eyrie showcases pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay wines in their modest tasting room in McMinnville. The historical roots are so deep here that it is almost obligatory to visit and appreciate what the Lett family has done for the region. While the wines are certainly worth the trip, we found the tasting room so overcrowded towards the end of the day that extra staff had to be summoned mid-tasting. Go earlier in the day.

OK, so this place is really cool. Sporting a Celtic theme, the winery is built from concrete and topped with grass. Yeah, I have no idea who cuts it, but someone must. Think conservation meets a Hobbit house. Indoors boasts beautiful wood and glass everywhere including huge arched wooden ceiling beams. Outside the winery has ample seating on a grass labyrinth with an incredible eye candy vista. Sit, sip, slainte.

Gran Moraine has an open tasting room with a number of small tasting bars to provide a more intimate experience for visitors. The tasting room overlooks a beautiful vista that provides a perfect backdrop to sipping your favorite Gran Moraine wine.

Lemelson’s hallmark goes beyond excellent wines and extends to the 7 estate vineyards managed by in-house personnel and onto the very thoughtfully designed and operated winery. The winery completely utilizes gravity flow and does not mechanically move juice or wine. This has both scientific and philosophic qualities producing distinguished wines. It is worth the time to take a tour here and learn about all the thoughts that went into the design and management of the facility.

Home to some fantastic gardens and Oregon vistas, Penner-Ash is a standout. As is the winemaker, Lynn Penner-Ash. She is one of the most notable Oregon winemakers; taking the reins at other Oregon wineries as well as her own. P-A has vineyards in at least 4 AVA’s and produces some excellent wines showcasing characteristics of the varied terroirs. We arrived late in the day and had to rush a bit through the tasting, but we managed to enjoy it enough to buy a few bottles. This a great stop.

A long wooden building perfectly placed in the heart of lush vineyards is home to Soter. A handsome tasting bar and small kitchen occupy one end of the building, while more intimate seating is spread in front of a fireplace across the remainder. Not obvious to the casual observer is a small wooden cabin that sits at the end of a gravel path that winds slightly downhill from the main building. The cabin is beautifully appointed and home to their private tasting experience which includes wines from the Soter, as well as their sister, North Valley Vineyards. This is as relaxing and rewarding an experience as you can imagine.

Jim Bernau, owner and winemaker, is another founding father of Willamette wines. His skills are recognized internationally, and with the business listed on the NASDAQ, his business acumen must also be very sharp. WVV now farms nearly 500 acres of grapes and produces beautiful wines characteristic of the region. The tasting room in downtown McMinnville was warm, inviting and the staff very knowledgeable and friendly. There are three other places to taste WVV wines depending upon your location. The estate, in Turner, has the most comprehensive offerings of food, wine and tours.