Think Oregon wine, and it’s impossible to not think of Pinot Noir – the black-skinned, temperamental grape known for the diaphanous, earthy red wines made from it. Oregon is rightly the land of Pinot Noir, but there are so many more amazing varietals thriving in the wine-making regions here. Whether it be graceful pinots or voluptuous syrahs, there is something for every enophile (or wine-curious person!) out there.
Oregon has 21 official winegrowing regions, supporting more than 900 wineries across the state. The diversity of regional soil and climates presents unique terroir and the ability to grow different grape varieties – more than 100! The best way to explore the area’s wine, in our humble opinion, is to simply sip through them. To celebrate Oregon Wine Month, here are some noteworthy wines from five major winemaking regions in Oregon.
Southern Oregon
2019 2 Hawk Winery Sauvignon Blanc
Grown on silty, loamy soil at Darow Series, this lush, creamy Sauvignon Blanc is a refined example of site expression in this area. It has a decidedly maritime influence, glossy texture and rich, fruity flavor. | $26
2018 Weisinger Estate Tempranillo
This deep ruby wine makes an excellent case for Tempranillo in the Rogue Valley. If you’re looking for a bold and tannic red, this is it. It features intense notes of plum, cinnamon and tobacco, balanced out with impeccable structure and round tannins. | $38
2020 Troon Vineyard Applegate Valley Vermentino
Vibrant, clean and crisp – this pale butterscotch wine is like bottled-up sunshine. Bracing acidity, creamy peach-apricot flavors and lilting minerality make this bottling a perfect warm-weather libation. It would be sacrilege to not pair this with seafood. | $22
2020 Anchor Valley Pinot Noir Rosé
This pale pink rosé is almost too pretty to drink. The dainty looks belie a strong, punchy flavor profile. Bone-dry, it features notes of zingy green apple, ripe melon and fresh roses. Sip this beauty all summer long. | $29
Columbia Valley
2018 Browne Cabernet Sauvignon
Smooth tannins, deep plum and chocolate notes finished with a kiss of oak. There is no mistaking the strong sense of origin in this full-bodied, tenacious beauty. | $31
2017 Echo Ridge Petit Verdot
Oregonian Petit Verdot doesn’t get the enthusiastic adulation it truly deserves. This smoky, tension-filled wine might be the one to change that. Sage and violet aromas flow into a palate of blackberries, olive and eucalyptus, with a lingering minty finish. | $25
Walla Walla Valley
2018 Pàšxa Wines River Rock Vineyard Syrah
Bold, beautiful and intensely savory – concentrated red fruit flavors flirt with sassy, spicy notes in this inky purple-hued wine. This complex Syrah from the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater is a splendid offering from a great vintage in Oregon. | $85
2019 Ducleaux Cellars Jordyn White Wine
Ducleaux Cellars is a boutique winery. It is super-exclusive in that it is a garage-turned-winerywhere Toby Turlay and Chris Dukelow specialize in handcrafted, terroir-focussed wines. The Jordyn is a Rhône-inspired blend of Roussanne and Viognier – a delicious and easy sip with intense passionfruit and pineapple flavors. | $29
Columbia Gorge
2018 Phelps Creek Vineyards Lynette Chardonnay
This buttery, delicious Chard has spent 20 months hanging out in extra-large barrels, known as puncheons. This adds a lovely complexity to the wine’s flavor profile. Think toasty vanilla, nutmeg, brioche and citrus zest. Fun fact: Winegrower-owner Bob Morus named this wine originally as a nod to his then-fiance, now-wife, Lynette. | $49
2019 The Pines 1852 “Old Vine” Zinfandel
As the name suggests, this Zinfandel was planted in the late 1800s, at one of the oldest vineyards in the Northwest. This evocative, layered Zin is full of dark cherries, cedar, smoky pepper and baking spice. Goes brilliantly with hearty Italian food! | $50
Willamette Valley
Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton NV Brut Rosé
World-famous for its Pinot Noir, the Willamette Valley is also an ideal growing region for beautiful sparkling wine. This Chardonnay-led Brut Rosé, a non-vintage bubbly, encapsulates just what is so exciting about Oregon wine right now. It’s a single vineyard, estate-grown wine from the Gran Moraine Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA of Willamette Valley. Aromatic, exotic citrus fruit, ripe peaches, toasted almonds and a sprinkling of dried rose petals. Mouthwatering acidity is balanced with supple tannins all the way. | $50
Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Dundee Hills Brut M.V. 2 Sparkling Wine
A New World sparkling wine to challenge those crafted in the top Champagne houses in France. This well-crafted wine is a lesson in balance, with its zippy acidity, citrusy flavor profile, and champagne-like richness. However, the silken texture is the clear showstopper. Pairs wonderfully with brunch food and lively conversation! | $80
2018 Sokol Blosser Estate Pinot Noir
One of the purest expressions of Oregon’s magnificent terroir, this wine is a great example of why Pinot Noir steals the show in Willamette Valley. It begins with fragrant rose petals and goes on to reveal tea leaves, truffles, freshly cut grass and clove. Perfect for a sundowner scene with friends. | $42
2017 Ponzi Vineyards Laurelwood District Pinot Noir
From the pioneers of winemaking in Oregon, this compelling Pinot Noir is a sensory delight. It bursts with floral aromas of lavender and dried rose. On the palate, there are lots of crunchy red berries, oregano and wild mushrooms. With its perky acidity and soft, drawn-out finish, the taste lingers long after you’re done with the last sip. | $45
