What a fantastic experience I had a Bjornson! I had set this appointment up rather last minute (for…read moreme), after having a Bjornson Aligote from my nearest wine store in Minneapolis. I liked it, so I emailed, asking if I could visit. My goodness, what a visit! Nancy (Sales Manager) was quick to accept my request, and Gino, who poured the wine, was not only oh-so-cute (in a unique way only us Old Heterosexual Ladies can appreciate) but more importantly, to this Old Lady, Oh So Knowledgeable! Gino not only grew up in Piedmonte Italy but also had recently passed his WSET test so our discussion was absolutely fantastic (I had passed WSET 2 and was self-studying; thus the trip to Oregon, to experience). He passed on insights from the higher certification and gave me really nice charts and graphs to help me understand "stuff." And so charming. Then Pattie Bjornson came out and sat with me a bit, talking with me about the history of the vineyards and winery. WOW. I just wish my brain had been bigger so I could have asked better questions. For someone who is studying wine as a retirement hobby, this was a stellar experience. For those of you who are not? There were other tables in the tasting room equally pleased, and buying just as much as wine to ship or take home as I was. Do not miss Bjornson if you're in this area. A++++ experience in a beautiful building with a beautiful deck!

For a few years now, I've wanted to visit Bjornson but never made the time to do so. Since I was…read morevisiting another winery about a mile away for an event they were having, I had to stop at Bjornson before that. And was I glad I did. They have a stellar selection of both reds and whites. I opted for their standard tasting, which just scratches the surface of the wines that are available from this great, boutique winery. Don't get me wrong, I love the big boys, too, but there is something extra special about going to a smaller winery and enjoying a fantastic wine in an atmosphere that is more intimate. It's like finding a hidden gem next to another gem! What a treat! I was served by Becky, who was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. When I left, I bought a bottle of wine, but since it's a boutique winery and I didn't know if they'd have this other bottle I wanted, I opted for both, which is rare for me (unless I need to purchase 2 bottles to waive the tasting fee).

Introduction :During my sister-in-law's and my first visit to Oregon, we were eager to explore the…read morelocal wine scene. At the recommendation of Michele from Triangle Wine Country Tours, we decided to visit Lonesome Rock Vineyard. Despite the limited number of Yelp reviews, all of which were positive, we trusted her advice--and we couldn't be happier that we did. A Quaint, Welcoming Atmosphere: Lonesome Rock stood out immediately for its smaller, intimate setting. Unlike larger, commercial wineries, it felt peaceful and uncrowded, giving us a sense of exclusivity and comfort. Upon arrival, Danny and Suzie, the owners, greeted us warmly. They had prepared a personalized flight sheet with our names, a beautifully set table, and delicious snacks--including freshly baked Gougeres from Suzie's oven. As a thoughtful touch, the recipe for these French cheese puffs was included on the back of the flight sheet, so we can't wait to try making them at home! Learning, Laughter, and Memorable Moments: Our tasting was not just about the wine--it was an engaging experience filled with laughter and learning. Danny and Suzie shared insights about their winemaking process and stories about the vineyard, making us feel like welcomed friends rather than just visitors. Unique Details and Beautiful Surroundings: One detail that caught my eye was the wax-sealed wine tops, reminiscent of a Maker's Mark bottle. Danny even has an Instagram video showing his waxing technique, adding a personal, artisan touch to each bottle. The October vineyard views were breathtaking, with autumn leaves painting the landscape in vibrant colors. It was the perfect backdrop for a relaxing afternoon. Standout Wines and Local Flavor: We enjoyed all the wines, but the 2023 Estate Pinot Noir was a particular favorite of mine. During our visit, Danny's nephews, Adam and Noah, arrived with a bag of freshly picked Chantrelle mushrooms--a delightful glimpse into the local lifestyle. I can only imagine how delicious those mushrooms were in that night's dinner! Friendly Company--Including the Dogs! The hospitality extended beyond the owners to their friendly dogs, who kept us company on the porch and added to the homey vibe. Spending two hours with Danny and Suzie felt more like catching up with old friends than attending a wine tasting. Final Thoughts: Don't Miss Lonesome Rock Vineyard. If you're looking for a unique, personal, and memorable wine tasting experience in Oregon, I highly recommend Lonesome Rock Vineyard. Danny and Suzie's warmth, the beautiful setting, and the exceptional wines make it a must-visit. Don't miss out on this hidden gem--you'll leave with wonderful memories and maybe even a new recipe to try!

We added this winery to a weekend full of outstanding Willamette wineries and this place was by far…read morethe most eclectic and authentic of all our experiences. Step away from the hustle and glitz of corporate wineries and you'll find Danny, a former French wine maker, who served warm Gougères and herbed nuts paired with his amazing wines. Whether you want whites or reds....this stop is a must!!

This winery has a really nice selection of wines and port's. They are one of the few Willamette…read moreValley wineries that has a great selection of big bold reds, in addition to some well crafted Pinot Noir's. The tasting room was manned by Luke, who was great to hang out with and very knowledgeable about what he was pouring, the tasting room is large and accommodating. We added them to our collection of wine clubs, which we only do when we like everything they poured.

The tasting room is really cozy, with a wood fire and comfy chairs for chillaxing, in addition to…read morethe bar area. Tastings are $30 but they'll waive that if you make a $150 purchase. The staff are extremely knowledgeable about the local wines in the Willamette Valley area. I concentrated on the locally grown grapes (they do use California grapes too). Very light. No hard sell. Dog friendly too!

Fantastic wines, low intervention and Jason (owner and wine maker) is awesome. Very knowledgeable…read moreabout his wines and always welcoming!

Relaxing vineyard off the beaten track. Beautiful garden to relax, enjoy their wines and take in…read morethe tranquility. Multiple places to sit and sip. They encourage bringing your own picnic/snack which we did, but they have a $20 charcuterie board for sale as well. The tastings were $15 for 6 tastes (3 whites and 3 reds). Service was friendly, unhurried and knowledgeable. The wines are made with their own grapes and they have some interesting grape combinations (like Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir which resulted in a fruity red wine) But I eventually opted for the single grape variety and bought a bottle of Chardonnay and a bottle of Pinot Noir.

Was out here for a girls weekend and wanted a place that had a beautiful setting & view. What a…read morewonderful experience - the staff is so friendly and attentive. The wines were delicious - I loved the 2017 vs 2018 comparison flight - it felt very unique. And the view is unbeatable, after starting inside we made our way to the outdoor seating and just basked in the beauty of the outdoors.

When we arrived at Dukes yesterday, the server asked if we had reservations. We did not. "Well,"…read moreshe huffed, "we're pretty full right now." I counted five (5) empty tables. We thought Dukes was pet-friendly, and we saw two (2) large dogs lying on the concrete beside a table. One of them got up and lumbered toward ours (a 17-pound rescue). Intimidated, our little dog barked exactly once, prompting an employee to storm outside. Scowling, he said pets were absolutely not allowed. "We had a dog bite last year," he said grimly, oblivious to the other canines already present. Proverbial tales between our legs, we left, feeling pretty crappy--especially since we drove almost forty minutes out of our way to visit this winery. PS: Here is the initial response by Dukes Family Vineyards which they posted and quickly removed: "Your dog barked and snipped in a very aggressive manner twice upon arrival. You were asked to leave by the owner after he heard your dog being aggressive. Sorry about the disappointment, however; we had several patrons that witness your arrival and they thanked us for not letting you stay." PPS: To Dukes Family Vineyards: Your response, and your suggestion my chihuahua was "very aggressive" is completely absurd. My wife was carrying him. The instant she set him down, a much-larger dog came straight over and got in his face. Ours barked once. (He was frightened.) Please answer this question: Why are other dogs allowed to be there if your establishment isn't pet-friendly? Also: we were not "asked to leave." Your server told us you were "full," despite the number of empty tables. Your claim that several patrons witnessed our arrival and then thanked you for not letting us stay makes you (and them) sound like creeps. Further, your withdrawn statement illustrates for potential customers the way you will judge and treat them.

This was simply a superb tasting experience. We have tasted at literally hundreds of wineries…read morearound the world and were still impressed. The wines are beautifully crafted. Clearly every step from the where on the land which clones are planted to how to farm, when to harvest, and how to age is carefully considered. When we learn something new that is a bonus, Rebecca was generous with her knowledge. She is very engaged in every aspect from dirt to bottle and cares passionately about this enterprise and her family heritage in ranching and farming. There are many seating options both inside and outside. We chose to stand at the bar because that is generally where you learn the most, as was the case here. Just do yourself a favor and make a reservation. It is the antidote to some of the larger and less personal tasting rooms and excellent in its own right.

We enjoyed our time at MonksGate Vineyard in Yamhill County, outside of Carlton. This was one of…read moreour stops on a custom wine tour in Willamette Valley, a.k.a. Oregon Wine Country. What stood out to me about MonksGate, compared to the other wineries and vineyards we visited, was the wonderful view we had during our wine tasting. We were outside, perched atop a mound, underneath trees, with a picnic table, umbrella, Adirondack chairs, and a side/end table, looking out onto seemingly endless vineyards. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere was calm and serene. We also pretty much had the whole place to ourselves except for one couple with a dog. Speaking of which, MonksGate is dog-friendly. As soon as we parked and got out of the car, we were greeted by the MonksGate owner's dog, Fizzy. Fizzy is a well-behaved and well-groomed Airedale Terrier. Fizzy and the other customers' small dog, Jimmy, hung out with us during our tasting. It added to our experience. This is a family-owned-and-operated vineyard. Along with Fizzy, we were greeted by Rebecca Moore, second-generation vineyard owner. In 1998, Rebecca's parents, Ron and Linda Moore, founded the 50-acre farmland where MonksGate sits today. The vineyard itself is 20 acres. It was named "MonksGate" because monks from the nearby Trappist Abbey (Our Lady of Guadalupe) walked across the land as a form of meditation. The Moores installed an access gate to allow the monks to continue their walks. Rebecca conducted the tasting. She had an assistant with her. They were both very friendly and welcoming. Below is a list of what we had with prices per bottle at the time of our visit. * 2023 North Block Dry Rose ($28) * 2019 Classic Pinot Noir ($42) * 2021 Classic Pinot Noir ($42) * 2023 Dry Riesling ($29) * 2023 "Fizzy" Sparkling Dry Riesling ($39) There was a tasting menu with helpful tasting notes. Also, Rebecca did a great job explaining each wine as she served them. I'm not a wine connoisseur so all I can tell you is I thought all five wines tasted fantastic. I'd be happy with any one of them at dinner or a social gathering, etc. My favorite was the 2019 pinot noir. How the notes described that one: "2019 was a cooler, more 'traditional' vintage, with rain during harvest keeping flavor phenolics bright and notes on the nose floral and spicy. The palate of this wine is rife with ripe raspberries, the finish long and balanced." By the time you read this, they'll probably be sold out. We had a Saturday 3pm reservation for a group of eight. The total cost of the tasting was $252.20, which worked out to $31.53 per person. We left the vineyard shortly before 4:30pm, so we stayed just under 1.5 hours. When we left, Rebecca and her assistant started to close up shop -- we were the last customers for the day. I will say, for as nice a property as this is, I thought it was a little weird how the restroom - at least the one we used - was an outdoor porta-potty. I've done a lot of wine tastings over the years and this was the first vineyard/winery to have a porta-potty as the restroom. Not a big deal for us, but just thought I'd point it out.

Kiff never EVER has bad wine. Rose is phenomenal. It's a bit richer and sweeter than most in the…read more#pnw but it's different palate is phenomenal in my opinion. Their reds are perfect in my opinion. No better Pinots. Every year the wine continues to get better and better I've never been super excited about whites but their Chardonnay is my favorite. And what is better than a great wine and a beautiful view? The fact that Joel and Laurie treat EVERYONE like family. It is phenomenal wine done by family. What's better than that?!?

The personalized experience was high value. The and care…read moreput into the wines was outstanding. We were able to step outside and see the actual vines growing the grapes making the good wine possible. The flavor of the wines are amazing We are waiting to get our next bottles of wine and expect to be ongoing customers.

What an incredible experience! There were six of us traveling together, and after changing our…read moreitinerary at the last minute, we ended up at this small, quaint vineyard--and we are so glad we did. The tasting was held right in the owners' home, which made the entire experience feel so personal and special. We tasted a wonderful variety of wines, and the owners went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and catered to our group. It never felt rushed or like a typical wine tasting--it felt more like spending the afternoon with friends who just happen to make amazing wine! This unexpected stop ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. If you're looking for a more intimate, personal wine-tasting experience away from the larger, more commercial wineries, this is an absolute gem. We would go back in a heartbeat!

The owners are wonderful, vibrant people. Beautiful property, great wine, and a true experienceread more