If your looking for a wine region to explore and enjoy a casual laid back time, then the Willamette Valley in Oregon is for you. Less than an hour south of Portland this gorgeous region of vineyards and rolling hills is the home to world class Pinot Noir. The whites are also excellent showing ripe fruit and possessing crisp clean balancing acidity. Look for whites made from the Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Gewurztraminer grapes. Also check out the incredible sparkling wines being made by the producer Argyle. This time of the year is a great time to visit the region because the weather is in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Be sure to pack a comfortable pair of jeans and a nicely worn in sweater and you'll find yourself one step closer to heaven. I recently had the opportunity to tour and taste my palate off for about 5 days in this wonderful part of the country and have only good things to say about the wines and the people at the wineries and restaurants. With a string of good to outstanding recent vintages theres no excuse not to explore these vibrant wines full of character. Current vintages out these days are the 2004 and 2005. Both are drinking with great finesse and are full of ripe fruit and well balanced acidity. I found the 2005 Pinot Noir's to have more tannic structure and a little closed right now on the nose. This tells me that 05's can definitely age for a spell and will reward those with a little patients. If your going to open up a 05 Pinot Noir, I suggest letting it breathe for 45 minutes to an hour. If you enjoy a more fuller and riper style of Pinot Noir then look for the 2003. This was a hotter growing season and the wines were more full-bodied. Also the 2000, 2001 and 2002 are excellent vintages and drinking well right now. With the weather getting warmer and the times we spend outside growing longer, a wine not to pass up is the vibrant Pinot Gris from Oregon. More robust than the Italian Pinot Grigio, the Pinot Gris is one of my favorite whites for the summer. Aromas and flavors of apple, apricot, pear, passionfruit and white peach jump out of the glass and the acidity is quite refreshing. Pair these wines with scallops, shrimp, white fish and fresh green salads. For the Pinot Noir I love of course mushroom dishes, salmon, chicken and grilled pork. If your Pinot Noir is big and bold then try a juicy steak or leg of lamb. Heres a list of great producers of Oregon wines that are sure to please almost any palate.

Archery Summit Winery – Great full-bodied Pinot Noir.
Adelsheim Vineyard – Excellent balanced Pinot Noir.
Argyle Winery – Outstanding sparkling wines. The best in the state. Also good Pinot Noir.
Beaux Freres – If you can find these wines in a store buy at least one bottle. Fabulous Pinot Noir.
Bergstrom Wines – Small production Pinot Noir and well worth the search.
Bethel Heights – One of the first vineyards planted in the Eola Hills. Concentrated Pinot Noir.
Domaine Drouhin – Owned by famed Burgundy producer Maison Joseph Drouhin. Handcrafted and elegant Pinot Noir.
Erath Vineyards – A pioneering producer with superb wines.
Iris Hill Winery – Nicely balanced Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.
King Estate Winery – One of the countries best Pinot Gris and fab Pinot Noir.
Raptor Ridge – Great Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.
Rex Hill Vineyards – Silky Pinot Noir's very good for price.
Sokol Blosser Winery – Another pioneer in the Willamette Valley and producing some great Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and delicious blends.
Van Duzer Vineyards – Incredible Pinot Noir.
Willakenzie Estate – Tons of finesse, reminds me of a fine red Burgundy from Cotes de Beaune.
Willamette Valley Vineyards – The whole cluster is mind blowing for the price. Great complexity.

Hope this list is informative and tasty at the same time. Lets all raise a glass to the fine wines and folks of Oregon and the next time your thinking of going on a wine tour, book a flight to Portland.
See you soon at a Westside Liquor Store nearest you.

Jeff Anderson
Sommelier