Recommended Yamhill County wineries to visit?

Willakenzie is probably my favorite, and Lange has a great view if it's clear out. Both are great visits. Especially the Willakenzie Pinot Blanc. Torii Mor is right near there too, good small batch reds are to be had. You have to call ahead for a lot of the wines in the region, especially in this season. Archery Summit is a good visit but I find them too pricey for what they make. You can't fail if you call ahead to Beaux Freres, Brick House, Domaine Drouhin or St Innocent. Eyrie was kind of a pioneer there, and their whites tend to be outstanding. Under no circumstances should you ever visit the Flying-M Ranch.

One of the best bargains I've found was at Laurel Ridge. They had a "Zinotage" (they named it), which was a mix of California Zinfandel and Oregon Pinot Noir. By the case it was $5/bottle, one of the best buys of my wine-consuming history.

I have to wonder how many will be open for the holiday week you're there, hope they have the doors open for you.

GS.

I'd echo the strong vote for WillaKenzie Estate, though I can't say I've been that impressed with their Pinot Blanc. (Of course, I've yet to find a Pinot Blanc I've cared much for. Cameron's come the closest, and it wasn't exactly special.) I _do_ like their vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs, though they do vary a fair bit in style. I'd give the heartiest recommendation for their Pinot Gris - simply the best I've ever had. (Though if you like the 2002 Pinot Gris by St. Innocent, we have _wildly_ different tastes in PG.) In addition to (a lot of) Pinot Noirs and the other wines mentioned, they also make a Pinot Meunier, a Gamay Noir, and a Chardonnay.

Beaux Freres does make some fine (and ageable) Pinot Noir, but now way out of my price range. [I heard early on when they started up that they intended to be the most expensive PN in Oregon and priced themselves accordingly. If true, they've certainly succeeded in _that_ regard. :-) ] Domaine Drouhin has decent PN and Chardonnay, but their tour is nothing special and the guy (marketing?) that gave the tour when _I_ was there was a bit short on some wine knowledge.

If you get as far as McMinnville, I can't recommend Panther Creek highly enough. Their vineyard-designated PNs are absolutely my favorites. The last time I was there they had a tour (of "ignorant tourists") stopping by and gave us barrel samples of wines from three of their vineyards, the Nysa, Shea, and Freedom Hills. Fascinating to see the differences in the (young) wines and discuss the various clones they used in their vineyards, the oak casks they used, and why. I suspect if you display any knowledge of wine and an interest in the barrel samples, you might be able to manage that level of tour. They're _big" PNs and I've been told they're not exactly "Burgundian" PNs, which may explain why they're so attractive to a Cab/Merlot fan like me. They also had a white (Melon/"Melon de Bourgogne") that they were playing with and gave us a taste of it. Most "Melon" I've had has been tolerable at _best_. This stuff was _quite_ nice and definitely worth drinking. Anyway, I'd put the winery very high on _my_ list. :-)

Cameron (winemaker is John Paul) is another winery where knowing something about wine helps. A nice, knowledgeable guy making some very nice wines. (Mostly PN.) St. Innocent is really in Salem, but also a nice visit. I was there over Thanksgiving weekend (big open houses at most of the wineries, even those that are only open Thanksgiving and Memorial Day), and tasted through their present offerings (including some barrel samples). I find his (Mark Vlossak) PN's to be a bit lighter than Panther Creek and usually good value. He's also a fun/animated guy to talk with. My experience with "real" Burgundy is limited, but I'd guess he's a bit closer to a Burgundian character with his PNs. [I always enjoy comparing St.I's Freedom Hill PN with Panther Creek's. Gives you a sense of what can come from the grape/vineyard/terroir and what different winemakes can do with roughly the same materials. :-) Also interesting, since PC's website indicates their winemaker is Michael Stevenson, with Mark Vlossak as their "consulting winemaker" (since 1994).]

I've no experience with Brick House and Archery Summit, and limited, out-of-date experience with Torii Mor. Eyrie may have been a pioneer of fine wines in Oregon, but I've not been terribly impressed with them the last 5-10 years. Some decent stuff, but not up to the hype. I've never cared for any of their whites. Don't know about Lange's view, since I've only been there on rainy days, but I'd say their wines are no better than average for Oregon. I didn't know that Flying-M Ranch made wine, but if true, definitely stay away from it. Most "interesting" places will probably need to be contacted to make an appointment, assuming they're even around then. In any event, enjoy your visit.

Regards,

- Roy

=*=*Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain The truth is rarely pure, and never simple. - Oscar Wilde

#1 on my list would be Archery Summit. I agree they are quite expensive. But if you call ahead for a tour and make a reservation they have the most educational tour for Pinot Noir I have ever been on. Example-from field to caves they show you what it means to be a certain lot number. You see the top of the hill and bottom and then in the caves see the effects of those conditions when you barrel taste wine from those lots. Same grape same vintage different intensity. (Best of Class Tour)

Then since you are in the area there Domaine Drouhin and Domaine Serene. Make Reservations for both. Domaine Drouhin is my favorite wine from Oregon.

I personally would skip the Ponzi Winery and just eat at the Bistro they have in Dundee. It is quite good. Plus their bar staff in the wine room at the restaurant can make you reservations for some places. They are great there.

Accross from the Ponzi restaurant in Dundee is Argyle. I like their Sparklers. They are quite good. Might check them out after lunch.

That is my short list of places I like to visit. Enjoy---remember that Oregon wine country is not like Napa. They don't get the foot traffic so if you call ahead and have reservations that is good for smaller wineries. They will be more than willing to accomodate but if no reservations they may not be there.

Dick

Domaine Drouhin and Cameron would be my seconds. Most who dine in the area end up at Nick's.

Greg and Roy, Thanks very much for the input. I have indeed called ahead, waiting until Friday when most of the area wineries are open. Alas, Dec. 26 is the *one* Friday that Willakenzie won't be open. OTOH, both Chehalem and Lange will be. I had wanted to avoid McMinnville if I were going to Willakenzie, as last time we did this excursion, we got back to Cedar Hills so late in the evening that the non-wino branch of the family was ready to kill us all! ;-) Now that Willakenzie is out of the question, I'll probably hit McMinnville after lunch at Ponzi and do the Dundee-area wineries. So, given a choice of doing 2/3 of Cristom, Witness Tree and Panther Creek, which do you choose?

TIA, Mark Lipton

Dick, I appreciate that, but I don't know that my relations are all that keen on doing tours, regardless of their value (well, one cousin would be). Additionally, given the price of Archery Summit's offerings, I doubt that many would want to buy anything they tasted there (which is half the reason for going, to be honest). Still, I'll put the question to them, as the tour does sound fantastic!

It's one of my favorites, too, and has grown more reasonable in price since the early vintages (that we bought anyway). My only hesitation is again that most of my relations would still find their wines a bit too pricey -- but I may do this one for me (and Jean).

Lunch at the Bistro is what I was talking about. IIRC, Ponzi's winery is actually in Beaverton, making it THE closest winery to where we stay.

Thanks for the very useful advice, Dick! Mark

Erk!!! OK, so Cristom and Witness Tree are actually in Salem -- my bad! That's too far for us, I'm afraid. Anyone else in McMinnville to add to Panther Creek?

Mark Lipton

Sorry, I misread the posting. I really only read the Subject.

I still stand on my suggestions. I think Archery Summit has been overrated...but their tour has not been.

I will echo everyone's recommendation for visiting Willa Kenzie as they have many good Pinot Noirs to taste. Also agree that Archery Summit is an excellent tour, you get barrel samples of some of the richest Pinot Noir from the state. I think the tour itself is $20 a person. If time constraints are an issue, I think Lange is down a long gravel road and takes a while to get to. Instead you could hit Cristom, Witness Tree and Bethel Heights which if I remember are near each other. Rex Hill is along a main stretch of road, and their King's Ridge might be the best Oregon Pinot Noir you can get for $15.

JK

Actually, Torii Mor's winery is _in_ McMinnville, but I don't know if they still do tastings there. Supposedly Eyrie has a tasting room there, too. Westrey appears to be in McMinnville, too, which might be worth a stop. They've done some OK stuff. To some extent, everything's pretty "close" once you get out in that neck of the woods. Carlton has Ken Wright, who makes some pretty good Pinot Noir under his own name. Could be worthwhile. It also has the Carlton Winemakers Studio - a wine-making facility shared by a number of independent wine makers. It includes Andrew Rich, Hamacher, Penner-Ash, and Soter, among others. I don't honestly know too much about them, though Rich does make some decent and interesting wines. (He does a lot more than just PN.)

If you're coming from Cedar Hills, I'm assuming you're going by way of Hwy

219 to Newberg to get to 99W. (That's the way I go. Lots faster than going down Hwy 217 to 99W and then out.) Cameron is just a bit off 99W (in Dundee), as are Domaine Drouhin and Domaine Serene. Actually, there's a whole _slug_ of wineries off 99W. It's just that a lot of them aren't anything special. If I had to pick from the likely McMinnville/Dundee choices, I'd consider Cameron, Domaine Drouhin, Domaine Serene, and Westrey. [I'm assuming Panther Creek is already at the top of that list. :-) ] Don't know if it'll help, but here's a web-site that might help:

Someone mentioned food/dining in the area and mentioned Nick's (Italian). It's been around for more than 20 years and was quite nice when I went [20 years ago :-) ] From a "quality" and "wine" standpoint, I'd recommend the Red Hills Provincial Dining in Dundee (right on 99W). Quality cuisine and a good (and affordable) wine list.

If you _really_ want to treat yourself, seek out Joel Palmer House in Dayton. It's more of a drive, but _well_ worth it. Excellent cuisine geared to PN. Their wine list, heavy on local PN, is excellent, and I believe the owner is both very wine _and_ mushroom knowledgeable. Let's face it. He's set up shop in the middle of nowhere (I gather for the mushrooms and PNs), and is good enough that folks still come to him. It's about half an hour from Salem and roughly an hour from Portland, and he's always busy. (It is _good_.) 'Course, in my ignorance I brought a (nice - Chateau Montelena) cab when I went the first time. Not really the best match for the menu, but they didn't sneer at us or _anything_. :-) They're a bit pricier than most in the area, as is their wine list, but it's a great place. :-) [You don't even have to be a wine geek to enjoy the experience. :-) ]

Good luck, and _do_ report back. :-)

Regards,

- Roy

=*=*Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. - Mark Twain The truth is rarely pure, and never simple. - Oscar Wilde

Mark Lipton wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@purdue.edu:

To jump in late and plug a good tour, albeit one that is out of the way once you get to Dundee-Adelsheim. No one gets there by accident unless they are seriously lost!

Ah yes, Cristom is too far south, I should have looked at a map instead of my vacation notes. Rex Hill is in Newberg though, right off Hwy 99, but if you are looking for the better pricier stuff then the recommendations of the others sound pretty good too.

Thanks again, Roy. Dining is not an option, as family obligations back in Portland will take precedence, but the winery information is most appreciated. We might give Soter a spin, as we've enjoyed many an Etude Pinot Noir over the years...

Cheers! Mark Lipton

What about Amity? They have wonderful Pinots, good whites and a very tasty TBA-type Riesling. The winery is not (an understatement) very pretty, at the risk of offending my friend Myron who owns it, but the wine is worth a visit if they are open.

Reka "Mark Lipton" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@purdue.edu...

Looking at your list, all are good wineries but you better call ahead for some are NOT open to public at this time (Wilakenzie, Chehalem and a few others suggested are not open at this time unless you call ahead).

Wineries that should be open and you may like. Duck Pond ( Great Variety of wines and good prices) Amity ( great Pinot Noirs, might be to far south) Chateau Benoit ( quality has gone up a lot in last few years now that have new owner with money) Carlton Winemakers Studio ( have tasting room and is home to 7 wineries) Dundee Springs ( Good Pinot Noirs, but limited number of choices) Elk Cove ( great wines but might be a tad to far West/North) Lange ( charge for tasting of Noirs) Maresh Red Barn ( trust me, off beaten path but in area of Lange) Erath ( first Pinot Gris planted in USA by this owner, in area of Lange and Maresh Red Barn) Rex Hill ( mostly for Pinot Noirs) Sokol Blosser ( $$ but good)

Here is a link to a web site that can help you...

J~

Mark Lipt> Next week, I plan to take selected oenphilic family members on a brief

If you're going to McMinnville for Panther Creek, you really should consider going to the Oregon Wine Tasting Room. It's on Highway 18 just outside of McMinnville and is a GREAT place to taste a wide variety of Oregon wines. They are usually tasting a couple of dozen wines (at the least) so you can be selective in what you try. It's good for folks looking for a bargain or for those looking for something from smaller vineyards. They are by the turn off for Amity and have many (or most) of their wines.

Back in Dundee, I've never been a fan of Duckpond (actually, I think they had a port I kind of liked) but you could delete them and put Argyle in as they are right across the street from Ponzi.

If you are at Ponzi, and arrange to go to Cameron (a favorite), it's right up the hill. If you keep on that road you hit Erath, then turning right you get to Lange, then following that road (and turning right) you get to Tori Mor and then that road will take you back to 99. This loop of several wineries (avoiding the Red Barn) is pretty nice and quite easy. It is "unimproved" in some sections.

Another option, if you're coming from Beaverton, you could go out 26 and then south through Gaston, stopping at Elk Cove, and into Carlton where you have the Carlton Tasting Room and also the Winemaker's Studio. You can follow the road down to 99 to get to your other destinations. (Or you could come back up through that area.)

Also, if you're in Beaverton, I'll guess that Cooper Mountain would be your closest winery. They don't seem to have their block designate wines anymore (at least not the F/G that I liked so much).

BTW, Panther Creek fans should notes that Freddie's has Panther Creek (some cuvee) for about 18 dollars these days.

Richard