Visitors Can Enjoy Ambar Estate’s Critically Acclaimed Wines Amidst Scenic Views of the Willamette Valley’s First Regenerative Organic Certified® Vineyard
Dundee Hills, OR. (May 22, 2024) – Ambar Estate is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its tasting room on June 20, timed to celebrate the Summer Solstice. This highly anticipated opening will welcome visitors to experience unparalleled hospitality while savoring estate-grown wines, crafted with intention to express elegance and terroir, all set against breathtaking views of the Willamette Valley’s first Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard.
Located in the heart of the Dundee Hills, the new tasting room is a masterpiece of modern design, featuring stunning glass-walled architecture by Juancarlos Fernandez of Signum Architecture and constructed by Kris Stubberfield. The building architecture and surrounding vineyards are complemented by the sublime landscape architecture of Hoichi Kurisu, renowned for his designs of the Portland Japanese Garden, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, and Morikami Museum, among other internationally acclaimed projects.
Becoming the Willamette Valley’s first Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard means achieving a global certification that extends beyond the USDA Certified Organic standard, incorporating additional criteria to promote soil health and biodiversity, enhance carbon sequestration, reduce carbon emissions, and improve the lives of farmworkers. By adhering to these principles, Regenerative Organic Certification® supports the creation of healthier communities and a more sustainable planet. Ambar Estate is also Salmon Safe, Bee Friendly, and LIVE certified. This dedication to the environment ensures that every bottle of Ambar Estate wine is crafted with respect for the land and a profound sense of place.
“Our goal has always been to produce wines that not only reflect the unique terroir of our site in the Dundee Hills but also to contribute to a sustainable future,” says Rob Townsend, founder of Ambar Estate. “The tasting room will offer a serene space for visitors to experience our wines and appreciate the beauty of our vineyard.”
Ambar Estate’s head winemakers, Kate Payne Brown and Bryan Weil, who also lead the winemaking program for Vinovate, the region’s leading ultra-premium custom crush winery, bring their exceptional expertise and passion for winemaking using regenerative farmed grapes to the estate. Specializing in Dundee Hills Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Ambar Estate has already garnered acclaim, with their 2021 Sacra Terra Pinot Noir earning an impressive score of 97 points from Wine Enthusiast, and their 2021 Lustral Chardonnay receiving a score of 96 points.
“The evolution of the Ambar vineyard has been an inspirational journey for me,” says Kate Payne Brown. “One rooted in curiosity and with a commitment to create wines that are deeply respectful of the land on which they are grown. It has been an honor to work alongside our vineyard team to achieve Regenerative Organic certification, embrace no-till farming and become more familiar with the terroir at this beautiful site. A relationship with a developing vineyard is an exciting time when it is just beginning to reveal its potential and personality. It is at this time when, as a wine grower, you begin to understand what the vineyard will provide and ultimately how the wines will reflect the intersection of time and place.”
Founders Rob Townsend and Pam Turner were looking to establish a winery in the heart of Oregon’s Dundee AVA, to design an intimate hospitality site as well as a custom crush production facility (Vinovate) on neighboring parcels. Ambar Estate and Vinovate are both located on NE Worden Hill Road.
The new hospitality facility surrounds a mature redwood tree, which serves as the facility’s focal point. The arrival sequence takes visitors through the central courtyard, where they can follow paths leading to the three buildings that encircle the central tree. The three structures, which total 2,520 square feet, house the main tasting room, two spaces dedicated to private tastings, and a kitchen, employee and administrative space. Low, sloping roof lines, clean architectural lines and glass doors reflect the owners’ appreciation for the restrained aesthetic of Japanese design.
Ambar Estate’s inaugural 2021 releases have already received top ratings from Wine Enthusiast and Decanter:
2021 Sacra Terra Pinot Noir:
- 97 points from Wine Enthusiast
- 93 points from Decanter
2021 Lustral Chardonnay
- 96 points from Wine Enthusiast
- 96 points from Decanter
2021 Dundee Hills Chardonnay:
- 94 points from Wine Enthusiast
- 94 points from Decanter
2021 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir:
- 93 points from Wine Enthusiast
- 95 points from Decanter
Ambar Estate wines are available for purchase on their website and at the tasting room, with a curated selection of Ambar’s limited-release wines allocated exclusively to membership. Ambar Circle members will also receive complimentary tastings, invitations to special events, and exclusive offers. Visit ambarestate.com to explore membership opportunities and be a part of Ambar’s vision to produce responsibly grown, distinctive wines.
Ambar Estate’s tasting room, located at 12550 NE Worden Hill Rd, Newberg, OR 97132, will be open Friday through Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm by reservation. Guests can choose from three unique tasting experiences: the Estate Experience at $50 per guest, the Wine Pairing Experience at $100 per guest, and Private Suite Reservations, which are exclusively available to Ambar Circle Members.
About Ambar Estate
Ambar Estate, founded on the belief that great wine is born from a thoughtful collaboration between science and nature, is committed to sustainable farming and exceptional customer experiences. Nestled in the iconic Pacific Northwest landscape, Ambar’s gentle sloping eastern facing vineyard is composed primarily of Jory volcanic clay. Ambar’s vineyard is the first Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard in the Willamette Valley. This regenerative approach not only enhances the expression of their storied terroir but also contributes to sustainable farming practices. Ambar’s goal is to craft Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that can age alongside the world’s finest, with Rosé of Pinot Noir and sparkling wines soon joining their offerings. The Ambar Estate tasting room in the Dundee Hills invites visitors to enjoy these exceptional wines amid breathtaking scenery. For more information, visit Ambarestate.com and follow @ambarestate on Instagram. Ambar Estate’s new tasting room is located at 12550 NE Worden Hill Rd, Newberg, OR 97132.
