Visit which Willamette Valley wineries?

P

Peter Creasey

Peter Creasey
Which of these Willamette Valley wineries might folks here recommend visiting?

Sokol Blosser
Penner Ash
Domaine Drouhin
Bergstrom
Lange
Lachini
Beaux Freres
Patricia Green
Shea
Monks Gate
Youngberg Hill
Carlton

Or perhaps any others?

Thanks!

. . . . . Pete
 
Pete,

I have never visited Amalie Robert but I really enjoy their Pinot Meunier, enough to start selling it. Also, check out Scott Paul. I think you need appointments for both.

Enjoy,

Brad
 
Pete, of those you mentioned, I'd recommend Drouhin for the visit and I like the wines of Patty Green (those few that I've had). If Carlton is the Winemaker's Studio, then yes again (IiRC that's the way to try the Scott Paul wines). Ponzi's bistro is a good place for lunch, but the wines are mheh.

Mark Lipton
 
Belle Pente is a board favorite. Good reds and whites. By appointment only.
Ayres is another discovery from that trip. I really like the Ribbon Ridge area. THey were close to Bergstorm, which I didn't like.
The best red I had at my last tasting was from Brick House.

Brooks makes good red and whites. I posted this photo of Pascal Brooks, who inherited the winery after his father died. I suggested we make him an honorary Disorderly.

brooksowner1.jpg


If by Carlton you mean Carlton Wine Studio, I've been there twice and was disappointed both times. It's close to Belle Pente. It's also close to Scott Paul, who makes wine and imports it from Burgundy.
 
Brooks for sure, worthwhile spending time with Chris Williams or Janie Brooks Heuck. They do like 9 different rieslings plus some Pinot Noir that even a disorderly could love.

Likewise, Brian at Belle Pente is a spiritual disorderly. Worth the jaunt up the hill (don't wash your car beforehand though.

Do rattle David Millman's cage at Domaine Drouhin Oregon - it's on a different hill than Belle Pente, but this one is paved quite nicely.

I like what Lange is doing with their wine (and has done), likewise what Elk Cove has done in the past is pretty cool. Not as much of a fan of the more recent vintages, but I'm thinking they'll come around.

Stoller is worth a stop - the wines are consistently right in my sweet zone (not literally) and the site is one of the most beautiful in the Willamette Valley. The winery itself is lovely to see, and if Melissa Burr is around, she's someone worth meeting.

Scott Paul is a nice stop in Carlton and the homegrown wines are as impressive as those Scott Wright brings in from Burgundy.

-Eden (and of course a visit to the Vincent operation is always a good thing)
 
originally posted by Eden Mylunsch:
Brian at Belle Pente is a spiritual disorderly. Worth the jaunt up the hill (don't wash your car beforehand though.
Click to expand...

Brian once chased us down about 100 yards as we were walking away from his table where he was pouring at a fair in Carlton.

He realized the wine he poured us was corked and wanted to give us a fresh glass from a new bottle.

I love his wines and think they age beautifully.
 
Thanks all!

I don't want to post pablum but feel that I must voice my appreciation for the good and timely advice posted here.

And I'll keep monitoring this thread for ongoing expertise being offered.

. . . . . Pete
 
originally posted by Peter Creasey:
Visit which Willamette Valley wineries?
Which of these Willamette Valley wineries might folks here recommend visiting?

My personal opinion only...

Sokol Blosser - meh
Penner Ash - overripe, expensive
Domaine Drouhin - Nice facility with view, so probably worth a tourism visit.
Bergstrom - overripe, cali like, though i've heard reports he is swinging back the other way
Lange - way downhill, generic the last few years
Lachini - had a few decent ones but don't follow
Beaux Freres - overpriced, so I never try them
Patricia Green - worth a stop. so many bottlings, but worth a stop
Shea - overripe, over priced
Monks Gate - never heard of them
Youngberg Hill - a B&B with some vineyards around it, although I had a surprising wine from there at the 2004 retrospective on Monday. McMinnville AVA
Carlton - not sure who produces there anymore. Scott Paul has his own place in Carlton which is worth a stop.

Or perhaps any others?

Matello
Eyrie
Brickhouse
Belle Pente
Patricia Green
Biggio Hamina
Westrey
Arterberry Maresh
Scott Paul, and try winemaker Kelley Fox wines if you can
Bow and Arrow
Vincent
Teutonic

Down in Eola Amity (near Salem)
Cristom
Bethel Heights
Evesham Wood

Thomas and Cameron don't see anyone, but let us know if you can get in!
Click to expand...
 
What sort of visit are you looking for? Do you want to visit the old guard? Wines being made in the middle of the bell curve? The weirdos? The most "prestigious?" There are enough wineries here now that it rather depends on what you want to experience.
 
I love tasting at Belle Pente. It's a garage and you sit on stools.
The first time I tasted there we sat outside the garage and one of the farm's llama's stood there, staring at me, letting me know who was the alpha male in the place. It was a look that said "Come over here and I'll kick your ass."
 
originally posted by Marc D:
One more for you,
De Ponte in Dundee hills.
A French woman is the winemaker.
They make a melon de Bourgogne.
2010 Pinot is beautiful graceful red fruit style.
13% abv
Click to expand...
 
I would make a point of visiting with the following producers:

Crowley
Cristom
The Eyrie Vineyards
Teutonic Wine Co.
Adelsheim (A sleeper)
Johan
Minimus
Cameron (call or email - info is on the website. You have as good a chance as anyone else.)
Ayers
White Rose
Domaine Drouhin

That's a pretty good cross section of what's happening in the valley. Portland offers some other options if you'll be spending time there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top