Willamette Valley Vineyards - Turner, OR
Willamette Valley Vineyards (WVV) was one of the first wineries I had ever gone to. At the time, it was one of, if not the most noticeable winery in Oregon, located atop a hill right off of I-5, slightly south of Salem. The first thing you notice is the large arched and gated entrance that leads to a road up a steep hill. At the top of that hill sits a large palatial-looking building that hovers above everything below, exuding a presence that almost exclaims to the cars passing by that something special happens there. You really can't miss it!
In the years since my first visit, WVV has become the largest winery in Oregon, founded in 1983 by Jim Bernau. On our last visit to this winery, the employee serving our wine told us the story of how some of the first vines were given to Jim Bernau by the Sokol Blosser family. Sokol Blosser is another very popular winery in Oregon. It goes to show how the wine industry in Oregon works together.
In the years since my first visit, WVV has become the largest winery in Oregon, founded in 1983 by Jim Bernau. On our last visit to this winery, the employee serving our wine told us the story of how some of the first vines were given to Jim Bernau by the Sokol Blosser family. Sokol Blosser is another very popular winery in Oregon. It goes to show how the wine industry in Oregon works together.
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WInes from WVV has been featured in shows such as The West Wing and Friends. Their wines have also won many awards throughout the years. They have made their mark in the wine world and beyond.
WVV actually holds a special place in my heart. Years ago before my husband and I were married, my aunt who had lived in Salem at the time, had tried a wine produced by Tualatin Valley Estate, which is owned by WVV. She suggested we try the a semi-sparkling muscat. At the time, we loved sweet wines and weren't big fans of traditional champagne. This made the perfect substitute, giving us the bubbles of champagne, but sweetness we adored. After one sip, we knew it would be the wine we use to toast at our wedding, and it was. We have enjoyed it ever since. We also went wine tasting there together for the first time while engaged, and fell in love with their Riesling, which is another regular wine we drink in our home. Since the early days of the winery, it has dramatically changed and become one of the most popular wineries in Oregon. They are a full-service winery, offering food, wine by the glass, different tasting experiences, winery tours, and more. You can even spend the night in one of their winery suites. Although I have yet to experience staying there, I have heard many people rave about the experience. Over the years, our tastes have changed and we have enjoyed so many of their wines. My husband and I are what WVV calls "Wine Owners." This allows us to taste whenever we want for free, and some other benefits such as a discount. Through this, we have been able to try many of their wines and fall in love with wines we would never imagine we would like. |
Even if you aren't fond of a particular wine, I encourage you to try one of their tasting flights to experience other wines. You might just find one you never thought you would like. That happened to me here. I had seen many people posting about the Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. So, when we went tasting a while back, I tried it and instantly fell in love. It is now my favorite Pinot noir. Often, wineries will pour other tastes of wines you might enjoy or wonder about that aren't on the tasting menu. It never hurts to ask!
Also, always try wines that you know you love, but maybe are from a different year. For example, like I just mentioned, I fell in love with the 2019 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. But, when we were there this past weekend, they were out of the 2019 and had moved on to the 2020. In 2020, Oregon had some pretty significant wildfires affecting majority of the Willamette Valley. We were covered in smoke. This affected the grapes. When I tried the 2020, I picked up on a distinctive smokey flavor to the wine, to which the server told me I had nailed it on the head, and it was due to the fires. I have to be honest, I didn't care for it. But, here's the odd thing. These natural events can sometimes do the opposite and create some pretty amazing wines. So for some, this might be a welcome change. For me, unfortunately it wasn't.
We were able to visit back in March of this year to celebrate our anniversary. At the time, Oregon had all kinds of restrictions on eating indoors due to Covid. WVV tends to be a leader in innovation, and they set up outdoor pods that you could reserve. Although each pod contained a portable heater, they encouraged guests to bring blankets. This was such an amazing experience. I really hope they keep this experience for upcoming winter seasons. We got this entire dome-shaped pod to ourselves, we brought blankets, got cozy, and enjoyed some pretty amazing wine.
Also, always try wines that you know you love, but maybe are from a different year. For example, like I just mentioned, I fell in love with the 2019 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir. But, when we were there this past weekend, they were out of the 2019 and had moved on to the 2020. In 2020, Oregon had some pretty significant wildfires affecting majority of the Willamette Valley. We were covered in smoke. This affected the grapes. When I tried the 2020, I picked up on a distinctive smokey flavor to the wine, to which the server told me I had nailed it on the head, and it was due to the fires. I have to be honest, I didn't care for it. But, here's the odd thing. These natural events can sometimes do the opposite and create some pretty amazing wines. So for some, this might be a welcome change. For me, unfortunately it wasn't.
We were able to visit back in March of this year to celebrate our anniversary. At the time, Oregon had all kinds of restrictions on eating indoors due to Covid. WVV tends to be a leader in innovation, and they set up outdoor pods that you could reserve. Although each pod contained a portable heater, they encouraged guests to bring blankets. This was such an amazing experience. I really hope they keep this experience for upcoming winter seasons. We got this entire dome-shaped pod to ourselves, we brought blankets, got cozy, and enjoyed some pretty amazing wine.
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Like I mentioned earlier, this past weekend we were able to head down to the winery with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Being wine owners allowed us to reserve patio tableside service. This granted us two hours at a table overlooking the vineyard. We chose our tastings, ordered food, and the server provided extensive knowledge of each wine and its history. We really had a wonderful time.
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One wine that we fell in love with this weekend was the 2018 Hannah Pinot noir. Again, there was a fascinating story behind this wine. The grapes were grown on a nearby field that used to grow strawberries. Oddly enough, the wine has a definite strawberry flavor. Our server told us the story that the owner of WVV, JIm Bernau kept asking the owner of the strawberry field that if they ever wanted to sell, he would be interested in buying it. Eventually, the owners of the strawberry field came to him and said they were willing to sell on one condition. That condition was that they named the wine produced from the grapes grown on that land after their daughter Hannah. Hence the name, Hannah Pinot noir.
This is another reason why I love it here. You can tell that the people working there are very knowledgeable of the wine, but they also enjoy it themselves. I've been to other wineries in which i felt like the servers couldn't pour the wine fast enough and were repeating some phrase they had to memorize. Not here! Their love of the wines and the labor that goes into them shows.
This is another reason why I love it here. You can tell that the people working there are very knowledgeable of the wine, but they also enjoy it themselves. I've been to other wineries in which i felt like the servers couldn't pour the wine fast enough and were repeating some phrase they had to memorize. Not here! Their love of the wines and the labor that goes into them shows.
View of the vineyard from the patio
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I find this winery to be one of the better ones if you are new to wine tasting or visiting from out-of-state. They have a large variety of wines, a larger tasting room, and can give you more of an elevated wine tasting experience. You will find it enjoyable if you come with a group of people or with a partner. It has a little for everyone.
My suggestion if you plan on visiting WVV is to definitely make reservations. This winery can get packed, even during Covid times. Like I said, it's one of the most popular and well-known wineries in all of Oregon. Prepare to spend some time here. Even if you make reservations and your two hours are over, you can move to another location to continue to your time there. Trust me, two hours goes fast and you will want to spend more time here. Order food, taste your wine, relax, chat, and enjoy yourself. You'll find it hard not to here. |
Every time we have come here, we have received exceptional service, have been provided with expert knowledge about not only the wines, but the process to which they are made, and have enjoyed some pretty great wines. I can't recommend WVV enough for anyone looking to spend some time in Oregon's Wine Country.