Willamette Rec Request - Best 'Estate' Settings With Decent Wine?

WINE TALK
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Anyone have recommendations for stops in Willamette that optimize both (1) the wine is pretty good and made in a balanced style; and (2) the tasting setting is a pretty estate with nice views, you can walk the grounds/vineyards, etc?

My wife and I are spending a few days in WV this summer. She likes wine but isn’t an obsessive. So I’m trying to book us for a mix of “geeky tastings in the barrel room with the winemaker” at some of the board favorite spots and then some others where you can (either literally or metaphorically) sit on a nice patio looking out at the vineyard and so on. I have a good sense of the geeky stops, but am hoping for some help finding the best options for the second category.

We are not particularly militant on style, and enjoy both leaner and somewhat riper wines when there’s good balancing acidity. We will be staying in McMinnville.

One name I’ve heard might fit the bill is Nicolas-Jay. Otherwise I’m a little out of my element on this part of the trip planning, so I appreciate any advice from others!

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My wife and I had a really nice visit at Linga Franca a couple years ago before they had a proper tasting space. Their vineyards are gorgeous and the new facilities they’ve built look very nice. The wines are top notch. Lingua Franca Visit Info

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There’s a long list of wineries in Willamette in gorgeous vineyard settings… From memory a few include Patricia Green, Domaine Drouhin, Domaine Serene, De Ponte, Archery Summit, Anne Amie, Ponzi, White Rose, David Hill. We have visited many others and I’m forgetting some, but these all seem to fit the request for a vineyard stroll setting. Enjoy!

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Patricia Green Cellars has a nice outdoor patio overlooking the estate vineyard.

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Evening Land fits in my opinion. Beautiful grounds. As does Corollary Wines. Amazing sparkling wines with great views.

I did Nicolas Jay’s breakfast wine tasting which was unique but we stayed within the facility for the most part

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Cristom

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EIEIO. While not an estate with vines, Jay will do the tasting and, usually, take you on a walk around the property ending up by his fire pit area with a lovely view.

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Lange Estate (Dundee) has terrific views.

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Bethel Heights.

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Anne Amie has arguably the best view in the valley and with Jay Somers now at the helm you cannot go wrong.

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I second Cristom, especially on a clear day when you can see Jefferson

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Second for Bethel Heights and Domaine Drouhin, both for setting and style of wine. Would add Brick House too.

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Loving the suggestions here, folks. Thanks so much and keep 'em coming!

@Todd_Hamina was interested to look into Anne Amie, but looks like they have closed their tasting room for now.

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If you have the time/inclination, have a drink at the Timberline Lodge and hike to Multnomah Falls.

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If you’re looking for a view, there are a number of places in the Dundee Hills that pretty much have the same view. From a view standpoint, pick one and move on.

Another place to look at is Brick House.

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Anne Amie going to be sold. Part of a legal agreement in late December between the owners and the dept of of labor to settle pension violations. Would guess the tasting room closure is related.

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second this, beautiful tasting area just over the vineyards

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Here’s a set that fit your request:

Durant Vineyard
White Rose
Soter
Stoller
Youngberg Hill
Beacon Hill

I’m sure there are many others as well.

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Domaine Drouhin and Bethal Heights - Durant! Evesham Woods - Johan OMG so many!

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Does anyone have experience with Audeant Wines? I heard about it from another board member that shares a similar palate. I have not tried but heard the wine was lovely and the tasting experience more intimate.