Yamhill Winery Tour

2007-2008 Northwest Wine Country Vacation Guide

The Yamhill–Carlton District American Viticultural Area (AVA), a subregion of the larger Willamette Valley AVA, was one of six subregions in the northern Willamette Valley established between 2005 and 2006. It offers a laid-back, countrified wine-touring experience with rolling hills, atmospheric bed-and-breakfast inns, and excellent chef-owned destination restaurants—the perfect setting for a weekend getaway.

The Yamhill–Carlton District includes 20 wineries, 60 vineyards, and 1200 acres of grapes. Interestingly, neither Yamhill nor Carlton is actually within the AVA, although there are many outstanding opportunities for wine tasting in and around these ever-gentrifying hamlets.

Also keep in mind that many of the wineries in the Yamhill–Carlton District are open only on specific holiday weekends or by appointment. The good news is that 10 boutique wineries are represented at the Carlton Winemakers Studio, which makes for easy one-stop tasting.

From the town of Gaston, turn west on Olson Road, then follow the signs to Elk Cove Vineyards, one of the most venerated wineries in the state. Founders Pat and Joe Campbell planted their first vineyard in 1974 and produced their first vintage in 1977. Today son Adam carries on the family winemaking tradition by handcrafting wines sourced from estate vineyards covering more than 150 acres spread across four different sites in the northern Willamette Valley.

Elk Cove was named 2007 “Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year” by Wine Press Northwest magazine and is renowned for its award-winning Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc, along with single-vineyard Pinot Noir. An imposing mounted elk’s head watches over the tasting room while visitors enjoy lovely vineyard views. (877-ELK-COVE; elkcove.com)

Now head south on Highway 47, turn east on Hwy 240, go 2 miles to Laughlin Road, and head up the driveway about two more miles to WillaKenzie Estate. This family-owned estate winery focuses on the Pinot family of grapes, with everything from Pinot Noir, Blanc, Gris, and Meunier to Gamay Noir (a cousin to Pinot Noir). They even make a Late-Harvest Pinot Gris dessert wine.

WillaKenzie’s 102 vineyard acres are farmed using sustainable practices, and winemaking here is a combination of innovative technology and traditional Burgundian techniques. It’s a natural fit since owner Bernard Lacroute is a native of Burgundy and French-born winemaker Thibaud Mandet studied winemaking in Bordeaux and Reims. (888-953-9463 x 34; willakenzie.com)

Get back on Hwy 240 and head east toward Ribbon Ridge Road and Penner-Ash Wine Cellars. Winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash was the first woman winemaker in Oregon, and now boasts 25 years in the industry at such venerable wineries as Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in the Napa Valley and Rex Hill in Oregon. After a stint at the Carlton Winemakers Studio, she and husband Ron opened Penner-Ash in 2005.

Designed with the latest ergonomics and environmental awareness in mind, the gravity-flow winery is set amidst 15 acres of estate-grown Pinot Noir and offers commanding views of the Chehalem Valley, the Red Hills of Dundee, and Mount Hood. Lynn’s award-winning wines include a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and several vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs. She also makes Syrah and Viognier from southern Oregon grapes, and Rubeo, a unique Pinot Noir/Syrah blend. (503-554-5545; pennerash.com)

Once back on Hwy 240, head south on Kuehne Road, then left on Hendricks Road, then right towards the town of Carlton. After 7/10 of a mile, turn left on Mineral Springs Road to Anne Amie (formerly Chateau Benoit). The Pinot family of grapes reigns supreme here—Pinot Noir, Gris, and Blanc—along with a small amount of estate-grown, old-vine Riesling.

From the warmer vineyards of southern Oregon come Syrah, Viognier, and Belle Rouge, a Cabernet-based blend. Anne Amie’s elegant chateau offers a majestic tasting room with local artwork for sale. A panoramic view of the Pacific Coast Range from the winery’s terrace is yet another compelling reason to visit. (800-248-4835; anneamie.com)

Now head north up Mineral Springs Road, go west on Main Street, and north on Pine Street to The Carlton Depot/Tyrus Evan, located in the atmospheric former train station in downtown Carlton. Wines poured here include Tyrus Evan, the warm-climate line of wines from legendary Oregon winemaker Ken Wright, who crafts single-varietal wines including Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, and blended wines, such as Claret. The Depot also sells wines from notable out-of-the-area wineries such as Andrew Will, Woodward Canyon, DeLille Cellars, and Abacela Winery. Don’t forget to pick up picnic supplies and gourmet specialty foods (cheese and charcuterie) for noshing. (503-852-7010; thecarltondepot.com, tyrusevan.com)

Scott Paul Wines, located in a converted creamery/granary just a few doors down from The Depot, affords a second fun stop in downtown Carlton. Another alumnus of the Carlton Winemakers Studio, owner Scott Paul Wright, and winemaker Kelley Fox are passionate about Pinot Noir. Currently available are three limited-production cuvées, including Audrey, a “pure, elegant, delicate” Pinot Noir inspired by Audrey Hepburn and sourced from the Willamette Valley’s legendary Maresh Vineyard. Also for sale is a collection of Burgundy from 12 producers hand-chosen by Scott. It’s the perfect place to compare Old World/New World wines. (503-852-7300; scottpaul.com)

Get back on Main Street, head north on Hwy 47 and left on Lincoln Street and stop at Cana’s Feast (formerly known as Cuneo Cellars), not only for the hearty red wines, but the warm Italian welcome from Gino Cuneo and his family. Gino specializes in Italian varietals, such as Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and the first certified Brunello clone in North America.

Grapes from warm-weather sites throughout Oregon and eastern Washington are used to make these wines, plus a wide selection of Burgundy-, Bordeaux-, and Rhône-style wines. The Tuscan-inspired winery boasts a picnic area and a bocce court next to the piazza, hosts enoteca lunches on Saturday and Sunday, and was chosen 2005 “Oregon Winery of the Year” by Wine Press Northwest magazine. (503-852-0002; cuneocellars.com)

Your final, and perhaps most exciting stop along the Yamhill–Carlton wine trail is at the Carlton Winemakers Studio, at the end of Lincoln Street. The first of its kind in Oregon, this three-year-old winemakers’ cooperative brings together 10 small premium winemakers who source grapes, then use state-of-the-art communal (shared) equipment to craft their individual labels.

Don’t miss sampling the wines of Andrew Rich, who has been making wine from Oregon and Washington grapes since 1995, especially his Gewürztraminer Dessert Wine or Tabula Rasa, a Rhône-style blend. Domaine Meriwether crafts sumptuous sparkling wines, as well as Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

Lazy River Vineyard is a family-owned operation that makes estate-grown Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer under the direction of winemaker Eric Hamacher. In addition, the vineyard sells Pinot Noir and Riesling grapes to leading wineries such as Panther Creek, Andrew Rich, and Ponzi Vineyard. Eric also makes his own Pinot Noir and Chardonnay using Oregon grapes and bottles them under two labels, Hamacher Wines and H, and crafts The Studio line of wines for the Carlton Winemakers Studio.

With a vaulted ceiling and lots of glass, the Studio’s tasting room is light-filled and airy—very Northwest. Wine-friendly snacks are offered and winemakers’ dinners are held every Wednesday. Tours of this acclaimed “green” facility are available by appointment and allow visitors the extraordinary opportunity to experience the “behind-the-scenes” of winemaking up close and personal. (503-852-6100; winemakersstudio.com)

Yamhill Carlton

Festivals

Canby
September 22–23, 2007
Grape Stomping Festival
503-651-3190 stjosefswinery.com

McMinnville
July 27–29, 2007
International Pinot Noir Celebration
800-775-4762; ipnc.org

March 9–11, 2008
Wine & Food Classic
503-472-4033; macwfc.org

Willamette Valley
November 23–25, 2007
Wine Country Thanksgiving
503-646-2985 willamettewines.com

Attractions

Vista Balloon Adventures
701 SE Sherk Place, Sherwood
503-625-7385 vistaballoon.com

Where to Stay

St. Paul
The Inn at Champoeg
innatchampoeg.com

Wine Tasting

McMinneville
Evergreen Vinyard
500 NE Capt. Michael King Smith Way 866-434-4818
evergreenvineyards.com
The Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience! Visit our NEW Wine Tasting Room at the Evergreen Aviation Museum, featuring Evergreen Vineyards Spruce Goose wine and juice. Experience our exclusive hazelnut products, biscotti, gift baskets, and sweets. Tasting Room open seven days a week, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Wine tasting is free and does not require admission to the Museum.

Winery Spotlight

Amity
Amity Vineyards
18150 SE Amity Vineyards Road
503-835-2362; 888-264-8966
amityvineyards.com

Situated atop the Eola Hills, our tasting room and picnic area command a spectacular, panoramic view of the Oregon Coast Range. Located just off Hwy 99W, 8 miles south of McMinnville and 45 miles southwest of Portland. Open daily, 11 a.m.to 6 p.m., June thru September, and noon to 5 p.m. October through May. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.

Canby
St Josef’s Winery
28836 S Barlow Rd
503-651-3190; stjosefswinery.com

St Josef’s family-owned and -operated winery is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, just 25 minutes south of Portland and neighboring the historic town of Aurora. Owner and winemaker Josef emigrated from Europe and started producing award-winning wines here in 1978. Enjoy the European flavor of the patio and tasting room, along with the terraced picnic area at the pond. Open weekends 11 a.m.–5 p.m., or just call ahead.

Gaston
Kramer Vineyards
26830 NW Olson Rd
503-662-4545
kramerwine.com

Trudy and Keith Kramer welcome you to our warm, friendly tasting room nestled in the foothills of the Coast Range. Surrounded by majestic fir, oak and maple, our deck is great for BYO picnics. Wines include Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Dijon Chardonnay, Muller-Thurgau, Carmine, Sparkling, Pinot Port, and dessert. See Web site for events. Open noon to 5 p.m. daily May–October; Friday–Sunday in March, April, November, and December.