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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Time to Ponder Pinot Gris(gio)

I’ve been through this so many times before that it becomes rote. The differences between Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio. Well, there really aren’t any, when we are referring to the grapes. One is the name in french while the other is the name in Italian....

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Popular wines made in Yamhill County under $20

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Varietals Produced in Yamhill County View all

Pinot Noir

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

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

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

March 2014

J. Christopher Pinot Noir Sandra Adele 2011

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Mr Dolce
March 2014

Left Coast Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Cali's Cuvee 2011

Snoothrank:

A fine Oregon Pinot Noir. Smooth, good tannins, not too intense but fruity. Flavors of blackberry come through, good acidity. Great with grilled poultry and fish. Read More

Wine review by Dr TLS
January 2014

Dusky Goose Pinot Noir Dundee Hill Willamette 2007

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by mplish
January 2014

Argyle Brut Knudsen Vineyard 2006

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by pboss
January 2014

Archery Summit Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Looney Vineyard 2007

Snoothrank:

Fantastic Willamette pinot. Silky tannins with a great fruity nose. Darker in color than most pinots, loads of black cherry, very well balanced by some really nice acidity and a fairly long finish. The more Oregon pinots I drink, the more impressed I am with them. Read More

Wine review by vin0vin0
December 2013

Rex Hill Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2010

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by lynnjp
November 2013

Utopia Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Utopia Vineyard 2010

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by hklatveria
November 2013

Ayres Vineyard Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Lewis Rogers Lane 2011

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by GoldFork
November 2013

Belle Pente 'Murto Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2010

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by GoldFork
October 2013

Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2011

Snoothrank:

Fresh on the nose with aromas of pear, citrus and white floral highlights. This is classic Oregon Pinot Blanc in the mouth, focused and fresh with fine acids wrapped up in taut white fruits on the palate and gaining honeycomb and creamcicle nuance on the backend that helps drive the moderately long finish. Straddles the line between simply refre... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

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