The Northern Willamette Valley holds some of Oregon Wine Country’s finest hidden gems. In quaint Yamhill County, you’ll find lush vineyards and farms that are tended by families who are passionate about cultivating the best wine grapes and freshest foods. A visit to any of these fine establishments is sure to be a truly memorable experience for wine aficionados and novices alike. You’ll sip some of the world’s finest Pinot noir and enjoy breathtaking views, maybe even discover rivers, trails and mountains that beckon to your inner adventurer. Since there are so many fantastic vineyards to visit in the Willamette Valley, we thought we’d make planning your next tasting trip a little easier by showcasing our 3 favorites.
Sokol Blosser Winery
Started by Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser in 1971, this winery is built on ambition and passion, creating some of the finest Pinot Noir in the Dundee Hills, if not the world. Sokol Blosser is a must visit destination for any wine enthusiast, and its Dayton location makes it easily accessible from both Portland and Eugene. The vineyard is still family owned and run, with brother and sister Alex and Alison helming production on this beautiful 127 acre estate. Currently, they offer 16 different types of wine, 7 of which are Pinot Noirs. The winery also offers 9 different tasting experiences, from intimate farm to table dinners in the library to a guided hike of the immaculate grounds, complete with wine tasting flight and a mouthwatering catered lunch. To find out more about the experiences available, make reservations for one of their 9 tasting rooms, or to join their Cellar Club, visit: http://www.sokolblosser.com/
Lenne Estate Winery
The mission of Lenna Estates is simple. They produce fine, hand crafted, estate grown Oregon Pinot Noir. This Oregon Pinot Noir comes from their small 20.9 acre vineyard, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling town of Yamhill, Oregon. Their winemaking style is unmistakably minimalist, allowing them to take full advantage of the robust flavors produced by this uniquely located Pinot Noir vineyard, producing a rich wine with a mocha like aroma. Their understated yet sophisticated tasting room is open on weekends from 12-5pm, call ahead or visit their website to find out what wines will be on offer.
Stag Hollow Winery
This small but beautiful 34 acre estate is family owned and operated, and have been making four types of unique Pinot Noir wines for almost 20 years. At Stag Hollow, the proprietors take great care of the land and are very conscious of giving back to the earth, practicing new and innovative farming and vine spacing methods to create unfiltered wines that are rich in flavor and personality. While their vineyard may be small, they share an unshakable passion and commitment to quality, a trait that is very well reflected in their wines. Their tasting room is available by appointment only, and appointments should be made a few days in advance as the tastings are provided by the owners and often with the winemaker. This allows for more personalized attention and a truly informative wine tasting experience.
For more information on wine tours to these and other spectacular Yamhill County and Dundee Hills wineries give us a call. We can help you plan your next Yamhill County Wine Tour and even provide the transportation. Thanks for reading, we wish you the best.