Yamhill County Wine

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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)

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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 ...
Chardonnay

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

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

Subregions of Yamhill County

Dundee Hills

Popular Wineries in Yamhill County View all

de Ponte Cellars

De Ponte Cellars is the site of one of the oldest vineyards in the Willamette Valley. This sceni...
Vista Hills Vineyard & Winery

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

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Yamhill County on Snooth

December 2015

Winter's Hill Estate Pinot Blanc Dundee Hills 2014

Snoothrank:

Mineral and saline notes on the nose with dried apricot and green apple. In the mouth it's quite acidic and full of citrus flavors, mostly lemon and grapefruit with more saline and a bit of emollience coming later on in the form of a silky mouthfeel.3/5 Read More

Wine review by Snooth Editorial
December 2015

Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Yamhill County Volcanic 2014

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Mr Dolce
December 2015

Ayoub Vineyards Pinot Noir 2013

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Mr Dolce
December 2015

Ayoub Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Memoirs 2014

Snoothrank:

Medium to full bodied, and plenty of deep cherry. Read More

Wine review by Mr Dolce
December 2015

Ayoub Chardonnay Dundee Hills 2014

Snoothrank:

Light with a medium body, excellent finish. Read More

Wine review by Mr Dolce
November 2015

Bergstrom Pinot Noir le Pre du Col Vineyard 2013

Snoothrank:

http://2015.top100.winespectator.com/lists/ Read More

Wine review by alm mtw
November 2015

Knudsen Vineyards Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2013

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by MagsDJ
November 2015

Knudsen Vineyards Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2012

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by MagsDJ
October 2015

Stoller Pinot Noir Reserve 2011

Snoothrank:

Very tasty Dundee Oregon pinot. Day 2 this is still vibrant with ripe red and black cherries, cranberry, pomegranate, nice but not over the top acidity, subtle tannins and a medium finish. Read More

Wine review by vin0vin0
October 2015

Left Coast Cellars Pinot Noir Cali's Cuvee 2013

Snoothrank:

Quite hot on the nose, but with a lovely floral note of crushed violet and nice red fruit. The heat suggests this may be a bit young today, but the heady fruit is still quite exquisite and inviting in the glass. In the mouth it's full and rich, with ripe red bunches of raspberry, strawberry and dark cherry. The soft tannins concentrate on the fr... Read More

Wine review by Snooth Editorial

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