Willamette Valley Wine Weekend, Part I

Gertrude Stein wrote: “America is my country, Paris is my hometown.” While we live near Willamette Valley, France has certainly been our hometown for wine, and we ignored my own backyard wine country.

Not any more. We took a two day trip to Willamette Valley, met great people, a great dog, and most surprisingly- drank GREAT wine. Perhaps we should listen to the infinite wisdom of Darryl Hannah: “It is not necessary to go far and wide. I mean, you can really find exciting and inspiring things within your hometown.” Well said, Darryl…

First stop- Adelsheim Vineyards, (pronounced “Adels-heim), located in Newberg just 40 minutes southwest of Portland, began in 1971 as a project of love between husband and wife David and Ginny Adelsheim. They produce approximately 25,000-40,000 cases per year of distinctive whites and Pinot Noir.

This one has a great nose…

The new tasting room is beautifully situated at the base of the vineyards, with a long bar and access to the porch. The room is a great place to sample wine, even if crowded (which it often is). For a $15 fee, the vineyard pours five wines, including the more expensive reserves.

Notable wines:

2007 Pinot Gris – Bright lemon and acidity make for a perfect pairing with Asian cuisine or fish. Very complex for a Pinot Gris, especially at the price point of $19.

Price: $19
QPR: Very good

2007 Elizabeth’s Reserve Pinot Noir, 2007 Calkins Lane Estate Pinot Noir, 2007 Anna-Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir – While distinct, each Pinot had a similar flavor profile that pervaded throughout the wines. Very complex, with cherry (but not fake cherry) and perfect with the hazelnuts at the bar (the Calkins Lane vineyard was built on a former hazelnut and walnut orchard).

Price: Ranging from $48-$75
QPR: Good for quality Pinot Noir

Pros: Organized tasting room, beautiful setting, porch access, good wine, friendly staff
Cons: the best Pinots are $48-$75 (not really a negative since it’s hard to beat for the quality)

Adelsheim Vineyards
16800 NE Calkins Ln.
Newberg, OR, 97132
503-538-3652
www.adelsheim.com

Next stop, Scott Paul Wines in Carlton, Oregon. Starting in 1999, Martha and Scott Wright focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as import Burgundy Pinot Noirs. They pride themselves on their sustainable and organic winemaking.

Scott Paul wine tasting room

The tasting room is located in Carlton, and they poured 4-5 wines, some from the Scott Paul line, and a couple imported Burgundy wines. The popular “Audrey” Pinot Noir sells out quickly, and we did not taste. We sampled two of the latest Scott Paul Pinots, ranging from $25-$30, but would have loved to try the Audrey.

Pros: Cool brick building, wine prices, ability to try French Burgundies
Cons: sold out of their flagship “Audrey”, the other in house wines of the day were “ok”

Is Kelly laughing because of the wine dribble stain?

Scott Paul Wines
128 S. Pine St.
Carlton, OR, 97111
www.scottpaul.com

After Scott Paul, we ventured to Willakenzie Estate Winery who focus on the Pinot grapes: Gris, Blanc, and Noir. We love wineries that are sustainable, and the tasting room is in the middle of the beautiful vineyard. The tastings are expansive, and they poured at least 8 wines for the tasting fee.

Pros: beautiful setting, large tasting room for groups, many wine samples for the fee, organic
Cons: feels impersonal compared to Adelsheim

Willakenzie Estate Winery
19143 Laughlin Rd
Yamhill, OR, 97148
www.willakenzie.com

Finally, we sampled five wines from the Tasting Room in Carlton. The Tasting Room features wines from small producers not generally available to the public for tasting. The owner, Jay McDonald, owns EIEIO Vineyards and sells the wines here. The EIEIO wines (based on the Old McDonald songs-get it?) are enjoyable.

Bright and friendly Tasting Room in Carlton

Our favorite part of the tasting was the final wine- The Arterberry Maresh 2007 Pinot Noir, clearly our favorite taste of the day. The wine was more expensive than the others at $75, but was an “ah-ha” experience with a tremendous flavor profile and long finish.

Pros: Cool building with a real bank vault as cellar, chance to try small producers, friendly staff
Cons: Not great for large groups

In front of the bank vault

The Tasting Room
105 W. Main St.
Carlton, OR, 97111
www.pinot-noir.com (how did they get that domain name?!)

We stayed at the Carlton Inn, www.thecarltoninn.com, and the innkeeper Heidi provided a great place to stay, with recommendations for wineries, dinner, and anything touristy. Ask her about the Brittany Spaniel Rescue Program she belongs to, her dog Jake is a product of an “underground railroad” of Brittany Spaniel rescuers across the country!

Pros: Great QPR, tasty breakfast, hospitality, coziness
Cons: It’s a small B&B, could hear talking down the hall at night

The Carlton Inn
648 W. Main St.
Carlton, OR, 97111
503-852-7506
www.thecarltoninn.com