Event InformationAbout The Dundee Hills Ava
- Anderson Family - www.dundeehills.org/anderson.htm
- Archery Summit - www.dundeehills.org/archery.htm
- Argyle Winery - www.dundeehills.org/argyle.htm
- Ayoub Vineyard - www.dundeehills.org/ayoub.htm
- Bella Vida Vineyard - www.dundeehills.org/bella.htm
- Cleo’s Hill Wines/Murto Vineyard - www.dundeehills.org/murto.htm
- Cottonwood Winery - www.dundeehills.org/cottonwood.htm
- Crumbled Rock Winery - www.dundeehills.org/juliard.htm
- Daedalus Cellars - www.dundeehills.org/daedalus.htm
- DePonte Cellars - www.dundeehills.org/deponte.htm
- Dobbes Family Estate - www.dundeehills.org/dobbes.htm
- Domaine Drouhin Oregon - www.dundeehills.org/drouhin.htm
- Domaine Serene - www.dundeehills.org/serene.htm
- Durant Vineyards - www.dundeehills.org/durant.htm
- Dusky Goose - www.dundeehills.org/rambouillet.htm
- Erath Winery - www.dundeehills.org/erath.htm
- The Eyrie Vineyards - www.dundeehills.org/eyrie.htm
- The Four Graces - www.dundeehills.org/4graces.htm
- Lange Estate Winery - www.dundeehills.org/lange.htm
- Nysa Vineyard - www.dundeehills.org/nysa.html
- Sokol Blosser Winery - www.dundeehills.org/sokol.htm
- Stoller Winery - www.dundeehills.org/stoller.htm
- Thistle Wines - www.dundeehills.org/thistle.htm
- Torii Mor Winery - www.dundeehills.org/toriimor.htm
- Vista Hills Vineyard - www.dundeehills.org/vista.htm
- Westrey Wine Company - www.dundeehills.org/westrey.htm
- White Rose Wines - www.dundeehills.org/whiterose.htm
- Winderlea Vineyard & Winery - www.dundeehills.org/winderlea.htm
- Wine Country Farm - www.dundeehills.org/wcf.htm
- Winter’s Hill Vineyard - www.dundeehills.org/wintershill.htm
The Heart And Soil Of Oregon Wines
Home to Oregon’s earliest Pinot noir growing history, it is also fast becoming a fine-wine destination reminiscent of Burgundy, France. No longer just a day visit from Portland, visitors come from around the world to view our stunning panorama of vineyards, sample our acclaimed wines in our tasting rooms, stay at our gracious lodging accommodations, and dine at some of the finest restaurants the Northwest has to offer.
Located just 28 miles southwest of Portland, and 40 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, the Dundee Hills appellation is situated within an irregular circle of about 6,490 acres in total, of which more than 1,264 acres of vineyards are planted. This region is unique for its higher elevation, warmer nighttime temperatures, less low-elevation fog and frost, and lava-based Jory soil series of reddish silt, clay and loam soils. The red hills showcase some of the most spectacular views of the northern Willamette Valley and beyond, with the Chehalem Mountains to the north, the Cascade Mountains, including the breath-taking snow-peaked Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson to the east, and the Coastal Range to the west.
In Dundee, Pinot noir is king. Our wines are made with terroir in mind, showcasing equivalent pedigree as the finest Burgundies in France. We also offer an exceptional selection of other cool-climate varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot gris and Pinot blanc. With a wonderful diversity of wineries ranging from the rustic and state-of-the-art to grand Domaines, the Dundee Hills offers some of the most extraordinary, elegant and sought-after Pinot noir in the world. We cordially invite you to come and taste for yourself.Dundee Hills. But will you be able to taste the differences between a Dundee Hills grown Pinot Noir and one from Yamhill-Carlton? Maybe, maybe not. But you can have fun trying! And if you happen to taste some black cherry fruit and earthy, spicy flavors, then you are on to what we think makes Dundee Hills Pinot Noirs special.
Dundee Hills Vineyards: Then And Now
The total acreage is approximately 6,490 acres following the 200 ft contour line. Approximately 2,000 acres (4/06) is planted. Dundee Hills has 9 varieties of wine to choose from: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, White Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Melon, Muscat Ottonel and Muller Thurgau. The very first vines were planted by David and Diana Lett in 1965. Today there are 29 vineyards and wineries comprising about 1,500 acres of vineyards and 55,000 cases of Dundee Hills wines.
Characteristics Of Dundee Hills Wines
The aromas range from red fruited to a floral,especially violet as well as mineral which has a gravelly scent. The flavors range even moreso. First you have red fruit of raspberry to cherry to black cherry; spice-rosemary to delicate lavender; floral-rose petal to violet; juicy textured; but overall elegant.
What Is An Appellation?
In order to regulate the authenticity of their finest wines, the French developed the appellation system. Appellation applies specifically to the region where the grapes were grown. Some regions also regulate what grapes can be grown where; what winemaking methods can be used; how large the yields can be; etc. Most winegrowing nations have adopted their own versions of controlled appellations to authenticate quality and consistency of their wines.
Why Make Dundee Hills An Appellation?
Wine labels can be very confusing, even for those of us who have made the wine business a career. So how important is the place where the grapes were grown? Well, it depends. If you are not versed in Oregon wine geography, here’s a quick lesson on where the Dundee Hills are located. If you were standing on the moon looking at planet Earth through a telescope in an attempt to find the red hills of Dundee, you would narrow your focus in this order: Earth, North America, United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills, and then our 1,264 acres of vineyards. The Dundee Hills is the most densely planted wine area in the Willamette Valley. And for a good reason. The Pinot grape varieties thrive here. We believe that this area produces wines that are distinctive in aroma and flavor. This is in part due to the unique combination of soil, slope, elevation, temperature, and south to east exposure found here in the Dundee Hills. But will you be able to taste the differences between a Dundee Hills grown Pinot Noir and one from Yamhill-Carlton? Maybe, maybe not. But you can have fun trying! And if you happen to taste some black cherry fruit and earthy, spicy flavors, then you are on to what we think makes Dundee Hills Pinot Noirs special.