Proof that Oregon Wine Can Convert a BBQ-Loving Texan…read more Y'all. I didn't think I'd say this, but here I am -- a brisket-fueled, bourbon-sippin', proud son of Texas -- absolutely swooning over wine. Not just any wine. We're talkin' about the handcrafted, small-lot, soul-swirlin' nectar served up at St. Innocent Winery -- a place so peaceful and picturesque, it made me question why I don't live in a vineyard-covered valley full-time. My wife and I rolled up to this Willamette Valley wonderland expecting a decent lunch and some light sipping. What we got was a full-blown sensory revival under a cherry-red canopy, surrounded by forested hills that looked like they were painted by God himself after three glasses of Pinot. We opted for the St. Innocent Story Flight -- five sips of vineyard-designated poetry. My wife, being the classy half of our duo, paired hers with the Sip & Savor Experience, which was essentially an edible sonnet: summer vegetable soup so smooth it could run for office, a goat cheese tart so tangy it made my eyebrows dance, a Thai-style spare rib that nearly caused me to curse in delight, and a chocolate mousse topped with pistachio and freeze-dried strawberry that straight-up healed childhood wounds. Me? I stayed true to my roots and ordered the BBQ sandwich. Because even in Pinot country, a Texan's gotta do what a Texan's gotta do. And y'all -- that sandwich slapped harder than a summer sunburn. Juicy, smoky, piled high, with a crunch of pickled slaw and a side of ridged chips that made me weep a little. Paired with that 2019 Momtazi Pinot Noir? I felt like I was sittin' in the arms of a wine-soaked angel. Our server was a gem -- part sommelier, part tour guide, part miracle worker. She suggested we tack on the 2020 Shea Vineyard Pinot and the 2023 'Not So Innocent' Grauburgunder (a rosé of Pinot Gris). Both were showstoppers. We left with a bottle of the Grauburgunder like it was a souvenir from heaven. And just when I thought the experience had peaked -- bam! A quick tour of the facility gave us a peek behind the curtain: barrels like art installations, a tasting room polished to a shine, and a staff that clearly loves what they do. St. Innocent Winery isn't just a tasting stop -- it's a full-body, full-soul, full-Texan-approved revelation. TL;DR: Come for the wine. Stay for the views. Leave with a bottle, a smile, and a belly full of joy (and probably BBQ). Five stars and a raised glass from this grateful Texan.

We three stopped for a wine flight with small bites ("Sip & Savor Experience") and lunch on a…read moreMonday in the middle of a four hour drive, choosing St. Innocent from among several wineries available in the area. We are very pleased with our choice as it was an enjoyable experience. SERVICE: 5.0. Andy was excellent and very knowledgable about wines in general, the vintages of St. Innocent wines in particular, and the vineyards from which St. Innocent sources. And more. AMBIANCE: 4.5. We sat on the shaded patio overlooking a pond and trees. Though I-5 was visible off to one side, it was not a distraction. WINES: 4.0. We left with a couple of bottles. FOOD: 3.5. Good lunch made with fresh ingredients. The small bites provided with the Sip & Savor Experience were satisfactory.

Loved everything about this winery. Slightly hidden away so you don't get any road noise as you're…read morelooking out from the tasting area. Some indoor seating and plenty of covered outdoor seating. Mary and everyone else at Airlie welcomed us like family (can't forget Odin and Erin the irish setters). Very reasonably priced wine tasting flights and a good variety to choose from. The Maréchal Foch was unique and my favorite from the red flight. The added bonus to Airlie is that it is dog friendly. Bring your pup and sit and enjoy the area with a nice glass of wine.

What a gem! I'm almost upset that I nearly went somewhere else because of horrible photos, but I…read morecan fix that right now. This place is SO worth the 5 stars, they have keto wine like Dry Riesling, Dry Gewurztraminer, etc... beautiful, clean, and dog-friendly?! You NEED to experience this!

We've only been to Ankeny Vineyard twice, and apparently that was all it took because we loved it…read moreso much we joined the wine club! This place has such a great atmosphere laid-back and welcoming while still feeling really nice. Every single staff member we've interacted with has been incredibly friendly, and it just has that kind of vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. There are several different places to settle in depending on your mood: inside the big open room where they have live music, outside under the trees at umbrella-covered tables, or on the patio near the wood-fired pizza oven. We've already caught a couple of really great bands here, and they have live music pretty regularly. The pizzas are delicious, the charcuterie boards are fantastic, and the wine is reasonably priced. We also really liked how their wine club works there's no membership fee, you just commit to purchasing wine twice a year. Easy decision for us since we already know we'll be back often! And then there's the vineyard itself. Being able to wander through the vines as the sun is setting is just gorgeous. Ankeny Vineyard has very quickly become one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon or evening. Good wine, good food, live music, beautiful surroundings, and genuinely kind people. We absolutely love it here.

If you keep following the windy, twisty roads off the interstate, you will be rewarded upon your…read morearrival. The winery has multiple areas to enjoy, including a barrel room with live music, a tasting room, a patio adorned with pizza, ovens, and lots of vineyards to wander through. There is a verse and well stocked menu with plenty of drink options. Their wine is some of the best I've had in the area and is an example of how good a Pinot Noir from Oregon can be. The people who work there are very welcoming and friendly, and made me feel right at home. They have good knowledge of their wines and offerings and have plenty of smiles to hand out. Their flight is affordably priced, and the poor is enough that you can really get a sense for what the wine taste like. Come with Friends, go by yourself, bring a dog, either way you arrive you are welcome

We were trying to kill some time before our dinner reservation. We weren't given much information…read moreon "what to do" in Albany, except the park, but hey, in addition the park, there is a carousel museum and some antique stores, and then this lovely wine shop. Good value and pleasant service. I found some international wines as well as local oregon wines to try. I ended up buying a wine from Israel. I'd definitely recommed this as a place to stop when in Albany.

Great selection of nice wines with very competitive prices. My wife and I love going there for a…read moredate night for a nice bottle of wine and one of their great pizzas

Wine is my favorite so far!!! Cozy i door seating pleasant outdoor seating as well! The chardonnay…read moreis buttery w some hazelnut notes YUM

Came back to get the offered free tasting and return a corked bottle and a t shirt that didn't fit…read more So, we've been twice and drank a case of their wine, my ultimate review: avoid. The wine is good, not great, but the main issue is that these people (other than the winemaker, who seems like a decent enough guy) are weird, cheap, and unwelcoming. That's really all you need to know. Don't waste your time.

We attended a wine pairing event last night at Harpers Wine House and it was fantastic! The 4…read morecourse meal with perfect wine pairings surpassed all of our expectations. This small wine house has a very exceptional array of bottled wines priced extremely well. But the surprise was the quality of our meal served in this hidden gem in Brownsville, Oregon. The relaxed atmosphere and cozy room made this a very comfortable and enjoyable experience. Service was excellent and our host was very friendly. Do yourself a favor and stop in for a visit. You will be back!

Cozy spot, perfect for wine tasting. Friendly service. The cheese board with the crackers,…read moreblackberries and cucumber paired well with my wine and my husband's beer. But the star of that cheese board was the red onions!!! What a treat!

Like Pinot? Don't know if you like Pinot? EIther way, you must stop in and taste at TeBri…read more It's a cute little winery that has tasting inside a large barn. All grapes grown right there, and they make just one varietal: Pinot Noir. The owners are pouring and they were very friendly. $5 will get you a flight of tastes, and you can apply the tasting fee to a purchase of a bottle of wine. We like Oregon pinots and are happy to have found TeBri. Reasonably priced & a neat little place to visit. Oh - and they also have a lavender labyrinth around a gazebo ~ which was past the blooming season when we visited. Guess we'll have to return to Oregon for the lavender festivals next year....... and to drink more pinot! Cin-Cin ~

We lived in Portland back in the early 90's and had our taste buds educated on the wines of OR, WA,…read morethen CA. What always stirs the strongest memories/emotions are the earthy Pinots of OR's Willamette valley that we stumbled upon in those days. Over the years we found the style elusive, at least for us out of staters. All that changed this weekend - I found the last few miles driving to the property to be inspiring - this is as picturesque as it gets for me when visiting a winery. The setting alone is worth the drive. Tasting the wines makes the trip exceptional. Brian, the owner, is a super swell host. Honest to a fault and very passionate about his Pinots. It shows in the wine. This is what I remembered about OR and what makes me regretful about having left. Brian is what makes me happy to return and inspired about tasting Pinots again. If you are lucky, you'll be able to meet Nettie and Willow, their well behaved happy dogs. Cheers to TeBri! P.S. The place reeks of lavender :)

Every experience is worth it. The food is always good, drinks are always good, staff is beyond…read morefriendly. It is my husband and I's go to in downtown albany. I look forward to our next visit (:

Came in for drinks, service was sloowww. Waited forever for drinks and check but there was barely…read moreanyone inside and many staff. However food and drinks is good