For anyone who has tasted Oregon wines – especially Pinot Noir – the quality has never been better. New wineries and pioneers increasingly offer impressive bottlings from a variety of regions. And the Willamette Valley and its sub-appellations are most sought after. More and more, producers are creating beautiful expressions of pinot noir from the valley’s myriad terroirs.
The region benefits from a cool climate and free-draining sedimentary soils, both ideal for pinot noir to thrive. Stylistically, the wines could be described as balancing the energy of red Burgundy with the lushness of California Pinots. Specifically, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir often presents with cherry, raspberry and cranberry combined with herbal, forest and spice elements, finishing with refined palate texture.
Oregon also has become over the last 35 years a worldwide leader in sustainable, environmentally sensitive and fair business practices in the wine industry.
While prices definitely have escalated in recent years (along with everything else), there are still many relative values worth seeking out, in this case at $40 or less but all from the Willamette Valley.
Amity, a pioneer of Oregon wine, founded in 1974
2022 ($28) tart, cherry, raspberry, earthy, bitter herb, brisk, fresh finish
Illahe, established in 1983, committed to sustainability, water conversation
2023 ($30) raspberry, strawberry, toast, cinnamon, silky
2021 Bon Sauvage ($40) cherry, cola, baking spice, sleek
Kings Ridge, dedicated to accessible, affordable wines
2022 ($22) tart cranberry, strawberry light, fresh, soft palate
Lemelson, organic and sustainable winemaking, philanthropy
2022 Thea’s Selection ($40) generous, vibrant cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, savory spice, fine texture
Soter Estates, biodynamic and regenerative farming,
2023 Planet Oregon ($24) super value, snappy, vibrant raspberry, pomegranate, plum, velvety
Sweet Cheeks, dry farmed, organic estate grown
2022 Pinot Noir ($38) raspberries graceful, cherry
Vireton, the everyday label of the highly praised Archery Summit winery
2022 ($34) fine value, fresh, elegant, juicy, cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, toasty, spice
Willamette Valley Vineyards, founded in 1983, pioneer of Oregon’s environmentally sustainable leadership in the wine industry
2022 Estate ($39) tart, raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, herbal note, chalky texture, elevated acidity