By my count, there are 24 wineries in the greater Willamette Valley that start with the letter A. Full disclosure: my background is in journalism and math was never a strong suit, but after a recent trip throughout the Willamette Valley, the letter A’s high frequency was undeniable.
This branding strategy is not new: naming your business with the first letter of the alphabet was a sure-fire methodology bringing that awareness to the top of the list in the heydays of the phone book. While I love me a word game, I was also in search of how to theme my time tasting wine in one of my favorite places on the planet — and A is the way.
The “A list” moniker is often associated to top-shelf celebrities, influencers and thought leaders, and the following wineries and wines fit that bill — get ready to shop through the “A List” of Willamette Valley.
Abbott’s Claim 2021 Abbott’s Claim Vineyard Pinot Noir | Yamhill-Carlton
The physical winery and land of Abbott’s Claim — christened as such in homage of settler John F. Abbott’s claim on the once-forest — is one of wine dreams. One-part Oregon White Oak savannah, one-part vineyard, crossed with an immaculate state-of-the-art production facility and immersive wine tasting experience in the cavernous barrel cellar that concludes with a caviar bump, Abbott’s Claim strives to set the bar for wine tasting in the region. This estate Pinot lives up to that glory, featuring hand-harvested grapes (at sunrise, no less), native-fermentation in a variety of vessels for complexity, and gentle handling in a basket press. And the juice? The 2021 bottling is floral, herbal, vibrant in raspberry and lively acidity, with silky tannins, intricate layers and the desire for more.
Antica Terra 2021 Botanica Pinot Noir | Willamette Valley
Funny story: the tasting room team at Abbott’s Claim admitted they strive to live up to the experience at Antica Terra. Another contemporary architectural design that feels a bit like you’re being abducted by extraterrestrials upon entry, Antica Terra touts a lauded “collective tasting” experience inside the cellar walls. This is a comprehensive selection of eight wines, featuring both Antica Terra and its Lillian brand alongside a rotating roster of “inspirational bottlings from around the world,” like Grand Cru Burgundy and single-estate Priorat. The wine is then paired with “seasonal snacks” by Chef Timothy Wastell that puts most chef’s counters to shame (I practically licked a jar of chicken liver mousse). From its main lineup, Antica Terra’s 2021 Botanica Pinot Noir is quirky and expressive, peppery in spice and brambly in berries on the nose with scents of savory herbs and wet stone. On the palate, mineral and floral notes merge with juicy, tart raspberry and some licorice, finishing with sculpting acidity and lightly squeezing tannins.
Ambar Estate 2022 Lustral Chardonnay | Dundee Hills
Another devastatingly handsome winery set against Japanese-inspired landscaping and overlooking an estate vineyard and Mt. Hood, Ambar Estate is on the A List for a myriad of reasons. The easiest to ID is the striking triplet of single-story, glass-walled buildings that encase a garden giving both zen and heritage, with a massive redwood tree as both the focal point and model for the winery’s simple brand logo. Once inside, Ambar offers a few tasting room options, including the Wine Pairing Experience which features five paired courses crafted by Chef Heidi Whitney-Schile. And of course the award-winning wines made by Kate Payne Brown — previously of Stoller Estates and Archery Summit — also make their case, especially the 2022 Lustral Chardonnay. Lush and opulent with sculpting acidity, this is what Oregon Chardonnay is all about. Lemon curd and zest, freshly baked bread, apple, and more await in this full-bodied and generous wine.
Artist’s Block Yummy Yummy Yummy 2021 Skin Contact Pinot Gris | Yamhill-Carlton
Life goals: become friends with Anna Sweet, founder of Artist’s Block. Sigh, she’s cool. A longtime visual artist of varying mediums, she brought her creative prowess to wine with this über-vibey and expressive space that showcases art (from Sweet and friends) in many immersive manners, from a wall of donuts to a painting of one of Cher’s most famous quotes, and a bubblegum-popping Audrey Hepburn portrait made of finger-nail-sized tiles. The wines are equally artsy in their own right, like this skin contact Pinot Gris that seemingly gets its name from a 1968 chart-topping pop song. And it is yummy yummy yummy, with wild flowers, fresh herbs, orange and citrusy yuzu aromas that turn stonefruit via apricot with apple and surprising red berries that make it a match for a pork chop.
Alloro Vineyards 2022 Vino Nectarre | Chehalem Mountains
Story has it that Alloro proprietor David Nemarnik came upon the vineyard property — and future residence of the winemaker — while on a bike ride in pursuit of land that resembled that of his Italian heritage. Planting in 1999, the property is now 100 acres, with 34 of those devoted to a vineyard of just four varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Muscat, and the rest is occupied by heritage sheep, Hereford cattle, a large garden, fruit orchards and nut trees. The tasting room offers three different tasting-room experiences, two of which feature culinary components from Executive Chef Denali Whaley, and should always be concluded with the latest vintage of the Vino Nettare. An “ice-style” dessert wine comprising 65% Muscat and 35% Riesling in the 2022 vintage, the full-bodied, liquid dessert sports white flowers and white peach, with bursting acid and sweetness to perfectly round out a meal.
Aubaine 2021 Joie Pinot Noir | Eola-Amity Hills
Welcome to 2025 — Dundee-based Aubaine (and sister winery Lytle-Barnett) now offers an AI-based, virtual tasting experience on its website. Powered by Sipi, an AI sommelier, the program guides sippers through an interactive tasting with live chat and AI-generated tasting notes. IRL, Aubaine’s tasting room is warm and tasteful, with experiential maps, engaging storytelling on digital screens, and an insightful staff well-versed on both brands. Aubaine produces estate-only, single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, made under the deft and lauded direction of winemaker Isabelle Meunier. Aubaine found the 2021 vintage was kind to its Eola-Amity Hills vineyard, harvesting fruit that resulted in balance and texture seen in the Joie Pinot Noir. Deeply fragrant in rose, rosemary, spice and cherry pie, the palate is smooth and robust in juicy red fruits, mineral and supple tannins.
