Yamhill County Wine

Add a photo
for this region?

Yamhill County is situated in the topmost part of the Willamette Valley region in Oregon. Though there is a history of wine-making in the region dating back to the 1850s with the first immigrant settlers, it wasn’t until long after the Repeal of the Prohibition that things began to take shape wine-wise.

In the 1960s, oenologists from UC Davis saw the potential for wine production in the area, even though from a temperature perspective, the region’s climate was deemed to cool for quality production. Still, David Lett, Dick Erath and Charles Coury insisted on following up on their independent research and established their own vineyards within Yamhill County (Eyrie Vineyards, Erath Winery and David Hill Vineyard respectively). The varietals they chose to grow, Pinot Noir among them, were carefully selected according to what their research found suited to the terroir and climate. At Eyrie Vineyards in the Dundee Hills, David Lett is credited with planting the first Pinot Gris in the United States. By the 1970s, he entered his Pinot Noir into the “Wine Olympics” blind tastings in France, scoring well among notable producers. In 1980, his 1975 Pinot Noir won second place against Robert Drouhin’s 1959 Chambolle-Musigny, solidifying Oregon’s place on the wine map. Today, its close proximity to Portland makes its wineries a favorite tour destination.

Yamhill County has a range of microclimates and terroirs. Generally, the region is considered cool climate, with mild summers and autumns that can be susceptible to heavy rainfall. The gem of the region is its Pinot Noir, with many comparisons to the illustrious wines from Burgundy. Other popular grape varietals grown in the valley are Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay. Late harvest dessert wines are often produced from Muscat Blanc (a.k.a. Muscat Cannelli).

The subregions of Yamhill County are:

Dundee Hills
McMinnville
Yamhill-Carlton District

~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

Add description View descriptions »

View More
Popular wines made in Yamhill County under $20

Find local availability for these wines:Submit

Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Yamhill County Veiled

Buy Yamhill County wines »

Varietals Produced in Yamhill County View all

Pinot Blanc

History of the grape: Pinot Blanc was first grown in Burgundy and Champagne, France, and can be traced by some source...
Dolcetto

History of the grape: The name means “little sweet one” in Italian. Dolcetto, along with Barbera and Nebbiolo is one ...
Pinot Noir

“With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

Subregions of Yamhill County

Dundee Hills

Popular Wineries in Yamhill County View all

Vista Hills Vineyard & Winery

As the sun stirs awake behind a snow-capped Mt. Hood, John and Nancy McClintock stare at their fo...
de Ponte Cellars

De Ponte Cellars is the site of one of the oldest vineyards in the Willamette Valley. This sceni...

People getting updates on Yamhill County Wine Wines

Be the first follower of this region and get updates on your profile.

Page 4 of 67
Yamhill County on Snooth

April 2015

Chehalem Ridgecrest Vineyards Ribbon Ridge Oregon Gruner Veltliner 2014

Snoothrank:

Cream Soda, peach, bright acid, fresh cut grass, citrus, hints of lemon grass and sage. Really well balanced. Favorite vintage yet Read More

Wine review by anchca
December 2014

Eyrie Vineyards Dundee Hills Pinot Gris 2012

Snoothrank:

Just a fantastic Willamette pinot gris! First hint is of apricot which is quickly followed by not so ripe peach. Nice acidity carries some lemon lime to the mid and back of the tongue. Fairly complex for a pinot gris, one of the all time QPR leaders. Read More

Wine review by vin0vin0
October 2014

Stoller Vineyards Sv Estate Pinot Noir Stoller Family Estate 2009

Snoothrank:

A terrific Pinot Noir. A bit more body (a plus!) than most. Read More

Wine review by Chrisbike7
October 2014

Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay 2012

Snoothrank:

One of the best chardonnay's in the mid $30 ($35 at the winery) range we've had. Creamy lemon pith, a slight touch of oak, a bit of minerality, wonderful smooth tongue coating mouthfeel, decent amount of acidity and a medium to long finish. Read More

Wine review by vin0vin0
September 2014

Chehalem Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Stoller Vineyard 2008

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by anchca
August 2014

Remy Wines Three Wives Remy's Red Or/Wa 2011

Snoothrank:

Mighty fine red Italian blend from Remy Wines. This is a mix of Sangiovese, Barbera and Dolcetto. A very expressive nose of stewed plums and blackberries. The layers of black and blue fruits are very well balanced against fine grained tannins, a bit of pepper and some mouth watering acidity. Read More

Wine review by vin0vin0
August 2014

Arborbrook Vineyards Sémillon Sydney Klipsun Vineyard 2011

Snoothrank:

Very tasty dessert wine made from Semillon. Apricot, honeysuckle, a bit of dried fig and dried pineapple. Nice, viscous mouthfeel but not overly sweet on the palate with a touch of acidity and a decent length finish. Read More

Wine review by vin0vin0
August 2014

Arborbrook Vineyards Guadalupe Vineyard Pinot Gris 2012

Snoothrank:

Outstanding Dundee Hills Pinot Gris. Lemon pith, lemon/lime cream, some tartness along with some smooth edges, nice acidity and a medium finish. Somewhat complex for a pinot gris with layers of citrus, rounded out by the barrel fermentation. Read More

Wine review by vin0vin0
August 2014

Vista Hills Pinot Gris Treehouse 2012

Snoothrank:

Sweet, nutty and candied on the nose witha fascnatinglycomplex array of fruit, berry, apple, lime, floral, savory/spicy and candied aromas. Sweet on entry and obviously so but in the mouth the acids here do a fine job of balancing the sweetness and while the explosion of aromas on the nose doesn't quite come across on the palate this does offer ... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
August 2014

Vista Hills Pinot Gris Treehouse 2012

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by mark

prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... 67 next

View larger map

Best Wine Deals

$16.99

35% off

Vallado Douro 2011
$16.99

15% off

Domaine des Valanges Macon-Davaye 2014

See More Deals