Where to Find the Best Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: 14+ Wineries to Visit🍷

Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine region started out in the 70s – a time when there were very few wineries located in these quiet hills. Now the wine industry in the Willamette Valley has exploded into more than 700 wineries that are making some of the world’s best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool-climate varietals. 

The Willamette Valley is located just a few miles south of Portland and extends through many small towns that offer the perfect wine country experience. If you’re visiting the area, be sure to stop at some of these best wineries in Willamette Valley.

Get ready to taste some really good Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, because that’s what the Willamette Valley wine area does best. If you’re a pinot noir fan, you can’t miss the opportunity to taste wine in this beautiful region.

Willamette Valley Wine Region

Located in Oregon, the Willamette Valley is a premier wine-producing area that’s particularly famous for its world-class Pinot Noir. The valley stretches over 150 miles from Portland in the north to Eugene in the south, encompassing a variety of microclimates influenced by the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Coast Range to the west.

These unique environmental factors create optimal conditions for cool-climate grape varieties, like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – classic Burgundy varietals – allowing vineyards to produce wines with complex flavors and a distinct, regional character.

The climate isn’t its only selling point; the terroir also plays a significant role in the wine’s quality. The valley’s soil is predominantly volcanic and sedimentary, which gives the grapes a distinct mineral undertone that contribute to complexity.

Visiting the Willamette Valley isn’t just about the wine; it’s about the experience. Many of the wineries offer tasting rooms set against picturesque backdrops of rolling hills and sprawling vineyards. You’ll also find a culinary scene that pairs well with the local wine.

★ Plan ahead. Book a Willamette Valley wine tour with lunch from Portland. You can also book a private tour here.

Where to Find the Best Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Newberg, Dundee, Carlton, and Dayton are the most popular towns for a convenient and fun wine tasting experience. Located along 99W, you will find dozens of wineries to choose from.

I clearly remember my first trip to the area. We didn’t know which wineries were best, or which ones would offer the best tasting experience, so we just picked at random. You can surely do that, and have a fantastic time, but to help you out we’ve put together our recommended wineries here so you can not waste a minute on the planning.

Our list contains some of the best wineries in the Willamette Valley for Oregon Pinot Noir, as well as vineyards with amazing views, and a few that have other wines to try besides Pinot and Chard. Pinot fatigue is real. We’ve personally been to each of these wineries and can vouch for them having a unique experience and great wines.

Domaine Serene

Domaine Serene was founded in 1989 by Grace and Ken Evenstad, who had a vision for Oregon Pinot Noir and the Willamette Valley before there was even much going on in the region. They built a beautiful new winery in 2001 in the Dundee Hills and have grown immensely over the years to become the premier winery in the region, with consistently high-rated wines and a sharp focus on excellence.

Their Evenstad Reserve has been named the #1 Pinot Noir in Oregon as well as the #3 wine of the year by Wine Spectator in 2013. In 2015, they were named one of the 50 best wineries in the World.

In 2015, they expanded into Burgundy, France, by purchasing the historic Chateau de la Cree in the Cote d’Or.

When you visit, be prepared for amazing views, a gorgeous estate, and some of the best Pinot Noir in the region.

Location: 6555 NE Hilltop Ln, Dayton, OR 97114
Hours: 11am – 4pm every day

Ken Wright Cellars

Ken Wright Cellars is located in Carlton in the historic 1923 train depot that’s been converted to a beautiful tasting room, with seating around fire pits on the old platform and in the yard, right where the train used to run. You’ll find that Ken and his wife Karen take a lot of pride in the preservation of historic Carlton.

Ken Wright Cellars was opened in 1994 and this acclaimed winery specializes in single-vineyard bottlings from 13 different vineyard sites that showcase the unique terroir of the region. You can see the passion for wine and for the town in everything they do, including the fact that Ken helped organize the 6 new AVAs in Northern Willamette Valley.

With a welcoming tasting room and knowledgeable staff, Ken Wright is a must-visit winery. And the best part is that it’s close walking distance to many other great wineries and eateries in Carlton, so you can enjoy a full day out, if you want.

Location: 120 N Pine St, Carlton, OR 97111
Hours: 11am – 5pm every day

Bergstrom

This is a winery you’ll find on all of the ‘best of’ lists for Oregon Pinot Noir. It’s always been a family-owned winery and they take great pride in their craft.

You can do a private tasting at Bergstrom with an advanced reservation from Thursday through Tuesday (closed Wednesday) from 10 am – 3 pm in the tasting room. Be sure to make a reservation a few days in advance, especially on weekends.

The fee is $80 for a private tasting of their award-winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay made from the grapes of estate vineyards. Definitely make sure you try the Bergstrom Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Le Pre Du Col Vineyard.

Address: 8115 NE Worden Hill Road Dundee, OR 97115
Hours: 10 am – 3 pm every day (closed on Wednesday)

Domaine Drouhin

Domaine Drouhin has a history as rich as the wines it produces. This winery is actually an Oregon offshoot of the famous Maison Joseph Drouhin estate in Burgundy, France, bringing a touch of Old World expertise to New World terrain.

The French influence is evident in their winemaking techniques and the wine quality shows their expertise in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which are Burgundian varietals. Their Pinot Noir is aged in French oak barrels and benefiting from the valley’s unique terroir, these wines showcase nuanced flavors and a well-balanced structure.

When you visit their estate, you’ll often hear the phrase “French soul, Oregon soil,” capturing the essence of what makes their wines so special: a seamless blend of Burgundian tradition and Willamette Valley innovation.

Location: 6750 NE Breyman Orchards Road, Dayton, Oregon
Hours: 10am to 3pm every day (by appointment only)

Durant Vineyards & Farm

For over four decades, the Durant family has not only owned and resided on the property, but also actively farmed it. They were among the trailblazers in Oregon’s wine-growing industry, setting up their vineyard shortly after David Lett from Eyrie Winery and Vineyard laid down his inaugural vines, situated just a stone’s throw away from their location.

Today the Durants own Durant Olive Mill, Durant Kitchen, Durant Body Care, Red Ridge Farms Specialty Plant Nursery, Farm Shop, overnight lodging, expansive gardens, and the Durant Nature Trail.

A visit to the tasting room typically starts with a wine tasting and ends, continues with a walk through the plant nursery and farm shop, and ends with an olive oil tasting. They handcraft signature olive oils on the first and only Oregon olive mill, and you can tell how popular they are by how many places you’ll see these oils being sold.

We were particularly fond of the South Side Pinot Noir, Bishop’s Pinot Noir, and their 50th anniversary Pinot, which we were lucky enough to try.

Location: 5510 NE Breyman Orchards Rd., Dayton, OR
Hours: 10am to 4pm every day

Flaneur Wines

Another great winery to visit in Carlton is Flaneur Wines, which is currently housed in the old Carlton grain elevator – a very iconic sight for this small town.

The term “flaneur” is a 19th-century French name given to those who wandered slowly, enjoying life. They say it is, “quite simply, a leisurely wanderer, a worldly explorer, a connoisseur of life.” I like to think I’m a bit of a flaneur myself. Certainly as you’re sitting enjoying a glass of wine in a converted grain elevator, you tend to feel like it anyways.

We really enjoyed the experience at Flaneur, from the well-balanced Le Belle Promenade Chardonnay that received a 94 point rating from International Wine Report, to the warm bowl of truffle popcorn we enjoyed along with it. There are four tasting flights to choose from with 5 wines each. You can also book in for a grain elevator tour and tasting, if you have more time.

Location: 168 S Pine St, Carlton, OR 97111
Hours: 11am – 5pm every day

Penner Ash

If you ask people where they like to taste Pinot Noir in Newberg, you’ll almost always hear Penner Ash. In1998, Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash founded the winery in the Yamhill/Carlton AVA. They processed their first vintage in 2005 and now you will often find their wines are rated in the 90+ point range with Wine Spectator.

In 2016, they joined the Jackson Family Wine portfolio, but continue to source their grapes from premier vineyards across the Willamette Valley sub-AVAs. The tasting room is location up in the hills with a gorgeous view of the valley.

The Penner Ash Tasting Experience is their signature seated tasting experience that costs $40/pp and takes about an hour to complete. They are open daily by appointment only.

Address: 15771 NE Ribbon Ridge Rd, Newberg, OR
Hours: 11am to 5pm every day

The Four Graces

The Four Graces was founded in 2003 by the Black Family. It was named in honor of the Black’s four daughters. Today, The Four Graces is owned by Bill Foley and produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc that are well recognized for their balance and elegance.

You’ll find a really nice, relaxing environment at The Four Graces, whose tasting room is located in a historical farmhouse just off the main road in Dundee. You wouldn’t know you were right in the thick of things once you arrive at the house, with its beautiful outdoor patio area.

They maintain a very high quality in their pinots, including the Doe Ridge Estate Pinot Noir, that you must taste. The tasting fee is $15 for 5 wines.

Address: 9605 NE Fox Farm Road, Dundee
Hours: 11am to 5pm (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)

Dobbes Family Estate

As you’re driving (or walking) through Dundee, you’ll come upon the Dobbes Family Estate. They make really great Pinot Noir, and surprise, the also make other varietals, including Chardonnay, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah and fortified wine.

After you’ve visited quite a few of the area wineries, you’ll be surprised how exciting it is to try something other than Pinot Noir. You may have also seen their catchy Wines by Joe or Jovino labels.

I feel like there’s always something going on at this tasting room. It’s a friendly, welcoming place, open from 11am-6pm every day.  The tasting fee is either $15 or $25 for reserve wines.

Address: 240 SE 5th Street Dundee

Argyle Winery

Since 1987, Argyle Winery has produced world class Oregon Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sparkling Wine in the Willamette Valley. I particularly like stopping here because of the sparkling wines – it’s a good change of pace after so many Pinots.

The tasting house is a large, modern, and airy space that has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It’s located next to the old farmhouse that used to serve as the tasting room, and the Nut house (a hazelnut processing plant), which is what used to occupy the space.

They offer a seated, leisurely tasting experience. You can choose from a sparkling or still wine flight at $45 each, with 4 wines (as you can see in the photo above). They are open from 11am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 10am-5pm on Friday through Sunday.

Address: 691 OR-99W, Dundee
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11-5 and Fri-Sun 10-5 (reservations are recommended for weekends)

Sokol Blosser

Situated in the Dundee Hills, Sokol Blosser is a winery that has garnered attention for its sustainable practices and high-quality wines. Established in 1971, this family-owned vineyard was one of the pioneering estates in the region.

What distinguishes Sokol Blosser is their commitment to environmental stewardship. They were the first winery in the United States to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, setting the bar for sustainability in the industry.

Sokol Blosser produces exceptional Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Their Pinot Noir captures the essence of the Willamette Valley terroir, offering layers of fruit, spice, and earthy flavors.

Address: 5000 Sokol Blosser Lane, Dayton, OR
Hours: 10am to 4pm every day (reservations required)

Carlton Winemaker’s Studio

The Carlton Winemakers Studio is a great place to go to see the collaboration that’s going on in the Willamette wine industry. This unique facility functions as a co-op for multiple winemakers, giving them a shared space to craft, experiment, and showcase their wines.

It’s a small tasting room attached to a large wine making facility. If you choose a flight, you’ll be treated to a diverse sampling of the various wines made by the resident vintners. We really appreciated the variety, which spans outside of the normal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. There are a handful of sparkling wines, as well as some being made with Washington State grapes.

Address: 801 N Scott St, Carlton, OR 97111
Hours: 11am to 5pm every day

Résonance Wines

Based in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Résonance Wines is where Old World and New World come together in a project launched in 2013 by winemaker Jacques Lardière and the Gagey family, who managed the prestigious Burgundy wine company, Maison Louis Jadot, since 1962.

The Grand Tasting Room just outside of Carlton is a sight to behold. After a winding drive to the hilltop, you’ll come upon the gorgeous estate made with reclaimed wood and fitting perfectly into the dramatic scenery. If you sit on the back patio, you’ll be treated to a stunning vineyard view that’s one of the best in the region.

For the tasting experience, the daily flight consists of 5 of their current release wines for $35. Or for something a little more special, you can do the French Connection flight that pairs their Maison Louis Jadot French wines with their Willamette Valley wines.

Address: 12050 NW Meadowlake Rd, Carlton, OR 97111 (also visit their tasting salon in the Dundee Hills)
Hours: 11am – 5pm every day

Left Coast Estate

This winery is last on our list only because it is located further south in the Van Duzer Corridor AVA (near Rickreall, Oregon), a little off the usual wine trail for visitors. We absolutely loved the experience at this winery, being that we were able to attend their first ever End of Harvest tour that took us through some of their 500 acres of land, with 160 acres of rolling hillside vineyards, planted with seven grape varieties, and lovingly restored and protected oak forest.

Left Coast was founded in 2003 and is family owned and operated. Their first vintage was out in 2004 and they’ve received numerous accolades for their wine from major publications like Forbes, Wine Enthusiast, and USA Today. In 2008, they received a USDA grant to convert to solar energy, which now powers all of their vineyard operations.

Although the winery is a bit off the typical Willamette wine trail, it’s very much worth a visit. You can start with a tasting and stay for lunch! They have an authentic Italian pizza oven and a great menu.

McMinnville Wineries

McMinnville is another great town for wine tasting in Willamette Valley. In the downtown area, the place to be is on NE 3rd Street, where there are dozens of tasting rooms, restaurants and wine bars to walk to.

Here you’ll find:

• Willamette Valley Vineyards
• Eola Hills
• Terra Vina Wines
• Chris James Cellars
• Troon Vineyard Wine Bar
• R. Stuart & Co
• Jacob Williams Winery
• Hi Fi Wine Bar

How to Get to the Willamette Valley

If you’re flying in, the nearest International airport is in Portland. From there, you’ll need to rent a car and drive east toward Hillsboro or south toward Newberg to begin your wine journey. The vast majority of wineries are located in and around the towns of Dundee and Newberg.

If you’re driving, it’s about a 3.5 hour drive from Seattle and about a 9 hour drive from San Francisco. Many people enjoy the drive along the Pacific Coast Highway that passes through some really stunning scenery along the coast.

Most of the wineries in Willamette Valley have tasting room hours from 10 or 11am to 5 or 6pm on the weekends and you can usually just walk in whenever you want, so there’s no need to plan ahead much.

The winery locations are really well-marked along the road, so all you really have to do is point your car in the right direction and be prepared to pull over when you see a sign. We like to take Route 99W and stop all along the way.

Where to Stay in the Willamette Valley

On our last stay in Willamette Valley, we found a really fantastic company in Carlton called The Ground that has farm stores, an incredible restaurant, and two great places to stay (among other endeavors).

Located up on the hilltop outside of Carlton is their Inn the Ground luxury B&B that’s built into the ground and has incredible rooms, living spaces, and views.

We were lucky enough to stay at their Yamhill House vacation rental that just opened. It’s a 3-bedroom gorgeous craftsman, right next to their farm store, with an incredible kitchen and very cozy beds. If you’re visiting with family or friends, I would highly recommend staying there.

The best place to stay will depend on which sub-region of the area you’ll be exploring. As I mentioned, we like to take 99W through Newberg and Dundee, so Newberg, Dundee, or Carlton are great places to base yourself. On the high end is the Allison Inn & Spa, which is the area’s top spa resort in Newberg.

If you prefer to stay in town where there are restaurants and tasting rooms within walking distance, I’d recommend the Tributary Hotel in McMinnville. It’s a Relais & Chateaux property in a great spot on NE 3rd Street.

The Black Walnut Inn in Dundee is a small, comfortable Inn surrounded by vineyards, in the moderate price range. Another popular area for wineries is Hillsboro and Forest Grove off Route 8 heading East. In Forest Grove you’ll find McMenamin’s Grand Lodge.

• Allison Inn & Spa: Trip Advisor
• The Black Walnut Inn:  Trip Advisor
• Embassy Suites Hillsboro:  Trip Advisor | Booking.com
• 3rd Street Flats:  Trip Advisor  |  Booking.com

Another unique place we’ve stayed in the Willamette Valley is The Vintage Trailer Resort. This is a really cool collection of vintage trailers from various decades. I’d suggest this for a shorter stay. They’re adorable inside and there are all kinds of amenities to enjoy, like outdoor chairs, bikes, grills, a firepit area, and a pool.

Where to Eat in Willamette Valley

In Newberg, there are two great dinner choices. We loved our meal at Ruddick/Wood, which is a rustic chic bistro with a great tavern in the back. It’s perfect for grabbing a glass of wine before dinner. We had the steak plate and the Columbia River Salmon, with a side of amazing hand-cut fries.

You don’t want to miss a chance to eat at The Painted Lady, where you’ll find some of the finest French cuisine in Oregon. Try the multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings.

The restaurant at the Allison Inn & Spa, JORY, features an open kitchen, bar, and lounge where guests can enjoy wines by the glass and creative cocktails, plus they have an extensive wine list to go with your meal.

For breakfast or to grab stuff for a picnic, we love Red Hills Market in Dundee. They have amazing breakfasts, an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, craft beer, and wine to pair with your seasonal and creative sandwiches and salads. Plus they have wood-fried pizza if you aren’t planning to take your lunch to go.

Humble Spirit in McMinnville is an award-winning restaurant on NE 3rd Street that’s part of The Ground collection. They utilizes local ingredients from their farm to craft the menu. I can’t stop thinking about the Albacore Confit and the Double Smash Burger. Do yourself a favor and go there for dinner! Make a reservation.

Willamette Valley AVAs

In case you’re looking for more information on the make up of the land in the Willamette Valley, we thought we’d lay out the various AVAs.

The Willamette Valley wine region is a patchwork of diverse sub-regions, known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), each with its unique characteristics that contribute to the distinctiveness of the wines.

• The Dundee Hills AVA is one of the most noteable, characterized by its volcanic, iron-rich soil and elevations that offer protection from extreme weather. The Ribbon Ridge AVA is the smallest in the region, known for its marine sedimentary soil that lends an earthy complexity to its wines.
• Eola-Amity Hills is another significant AVA, where the Van Duzer Corridor brings in cool ocean breezes, moderating temperatures and contributing to a longer growing season. This results in wines with high acidity and pronounced minerality.
• Yamhill-Carlton’s ancient marine sedimentary soils, primarily made of weathered sandstone and siltstone, provide excellent drainage. It also has a horseshoe shape that leads to a moderate climate with less temperature variation.
• The McMinnville AVA features elevations up to 1,000 feet and a mixture of sedimentary and volcanic soils, yielding wines with dark fruit flavors and robust tannins.
• The Chehalem Mountains AVA offers the highest elevations in the Willamette Valley and a variety of soil types, producing wines that range from elegant and floral to bold and spicy.

These are just a few of the most important AVAs, but there are more. According to Willamettewines.com, “The Van Duzer Corridor AVA went into effect in January 2019, the Tualatin Hills and Laurelwood District AVAs were approved in June 2020, and the Lower Long Tom AVA was established in November 2021. Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon was established in June 2022.”

Each of these AVAs brings something different to the table, enriching the Willamette Valley’s reputation as a versatile and highly respected wine-producing region.

CONCLUSION

If you ever have the chance to visit this part of Oregon, be sure you have enough time to explore the wineries and see what all the fuss is about. The Pinot Noir in this region is highly celebrated and once you’ve done a wine tasting at a couple of these wineries, you’ll start to see why.

Have you already been to the Willamette Valley wine region? What are your favorite Willamette valley wineries? Tell us about your experience there in the comments.

10 Best Coastal Towns in Oregon

20
Jul

Essential Travel Guide to Portland, Oregon

19
Aug

17 Awesome Places to Visit in the United States

20
Sep

10 Great Wine Regions in the United States for a Wine Tasting Trip

10
Dec

Like this post? Why not save it on Pinterest!

Laura Lynch

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.