Country Mouse vs. City Mouse One of the hallmarks of a great relationship is knowing your partner almost better than you know yourself. You can predict what they'll order off a menu, things that make your love go off the reservation and most importantly the little things that make them happy. You also get to indulge in a fair amount of gentle teasing and mockery. My husband is Mr. Outdoorsman and I'm more of a city girl. So when we have those open ended conversations about our 'dream home' he tends to visualize a large plot of land in the country and I'm leaning towards a condo in the city. As we were driving through the picturesque wine country, part of me was enjoying the view, but the other part was afraid he was going to start pulling house flyers. It is beautiful, but I need lots of people, restaurants, museums and close proximity to an airport. I was introduced to the pinot noirs of this small vineyard almost ten years ago and it was love at first sip. They are not mass produced or marketed, so I will go months without seeing their label in restaurants or grocery stores. They are 100% estate bottled, so all grapes come from their 51 acres. After meeting the owner at the Bite of Portland this summer, visiting their vineyard went to the top of my wine country wish list. But first we visited St. Innocent just up the road. Imagine a modern French chateau with chandeliers and million dollar views with a tasting room that has probably appeared on the pages of Sunset Magazine. Then we visited Witness Tree, and I mean no disrespect, but the tasting room looks like a converted double-wide. My husband started tittering as we drove up. He loves to tease me about living in a trailer out in the middle of nowhere. This place is the perfect example of putting all your love and resources into the product rather than being overly concerned about appearances. The tasting room is perfectly fine, but the staff is amazing. Of all the wineries we visited, this was by far the best experience. It didn't feel like a rote explanation as she introduced each wine in the flight. The wine is stellar and so we left with several bottles and membership to their wine club. And the property is beautiful so I just might have to reconsider the whole city/condo thing. Score one for the country mouse. read more

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Small tasting room and winery with an interesting history. The statuesque 250 year old oak at the top of their property is their namesake. They feature a nice pinot noir, called Hanson. I will let the other reviewers do their spin on the wines, since I am just an observer. But Mr. B was quite impressed with the Hanson wine. They have a dessert wine called Sweet Signe. A light pink, it is deliciously different and not that sweet. Even I tried that one and was pleased. All their wines are estate grown. read more

Witness Tree Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - Salem, Oregon

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It's a small wine tasting room, but don't let the size fool you. The bold tastes in the red and crisp taste from the whites, generous in tastings. Bought a few bottles! read more

Oregon wine country is a breath of fresh air, at times, from the commercialized Napa and Sonoma valleys in CA. I love touring in the area to visit wineries that are just like Napa must have been like 30 years ago. Small wineries and family owned wineries are the rule, not the exception. Witness Tree Vineyard is an icon of days long ago. It is situated in a valley with a hill rising above in the back. A lone oak tree sits atop the hill bearing witness to today's vineyards and yesterday's history. A truly fascinating story. More than that, this family produces some outstanding wines. While some of the other varietals are tasty, it is the pinots here that are the stars. And I do mean lots of stars via the 5 star rating. They have four types of pinots: Estate We are thrilled to release to you our 2004 "Estate" Pinot Noir! The wine has a very attractive garnet color in the glass. The nose is full of black fruits, chocolate and a hint of spice. In the mouth, it is supple on entry, with just a hint of tannin. The fruit flavors are full and sweet, reminiscent of black raspberry with a dollop of vanilla in the background. The wine has great structure and a very long finish. A very youthful wine, this 2004 "Estate" really deserves several years in the cellar to show its best, but will delight the impatient with its forward fruit and lush character. Vintage Select Here it is, our flagship wine, our piece de resistance, the 2004 "Vintage Select" Pinot Noir. We are very excited to be able to present to you this incredible wine. Intense aromas of cherry, blackberry, spice and vanilla surge from the glass. One sip reveals incredible richness--ripe fruit, rich and expansive--which fills the mouth yet the texture is smooth as silk. Balancing all, is a firm tannic structure suggesting a long life ahead. As wonderful as this wine is now, it will only be more glorious in the future. Only 549 cases were produced. Hanson lanted in the spring of 1999, Hanson Vineyard is located at the very top of our world (at slightly over 600 feet in elevation) here at Witness Tree Vineyard. This tiny "high-tech" vineyard (right at 2 acres) was planted equally to the Pommard and Wadenswil clones of Pinot Noir that were grafted onto 3309 rootstock. Modern technological viticultural practices were implemented, including high-density planting and a vertical shoot-positioned trellising system. The result is an amazingly complex and concentrated FIRST VINTAGE of 2004 Witness Tree Vineyard "Hanson" Pinot Noir. Only 85 cases were produced of this deeply fruited and densely colored Pinot Noir and they are sure to sell out from the tasting room swiftly! Benchmark "Benchmark" Pinot Noir comes from a 1.3 acre site in our Lower Vineyard that offers grace and finesse while displaying sheer power. Extremely dark in color, Benchmark Pinot Noir is overflowing with aromas of black fruits, vanilla and exotic spices. On the palate, decadent and sensually dense fruit flavors are accentuated by new French oak, tannin, and acidity. Produced only in stellar vintages, this is as cellar-worthy a wine as is produced in Oregon --- truly a collector's Pinot Noir. 78 Cases Produced All are sold out as of today, except the Benchmark. 2005 releases start in Jan. 2007, with the select wines being released around Memorial day. One taste of these pinots is simply indescribable. Rich cherries and blackberries can be tasted, along with vanilla and spices. The red soil of the region plays a major part for these grapes. If you like red wine, the Witness Tree pinots will blow you away. And, all at reasonable prices as compared to some other Oregon and CA wineries. The grounds and vineyards are simply majestic. Tasting room in located in an older farmhouse which is quite charming. A wonderful stop that transports you back to a time long ago. You will enjoy the journey. read more

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Loved, loved, loved this winery!!! Jaques was pouring the day we arrived, he was the most informative of all wineries we visited. He seemed to have knowledge of everything involving the winery. He even explains how Witness tree got it's name and will show you the famous tree. These were some of the most exquisite Pinot Noirs we have tasted over the years. They definitely know what they are doing and are doing it right. If you are into wine, expect to invest a pretty penny! We are looking forward to the future to enjoy the fabulous wines!! read more

Great lil find. A must. Hope Liz is working when you go!! There flight is a great combination of whites and reds. Prost! read more

reading the review below, I'm wondering what kind of taste this person has. Overall, some of the wines aren't that great... some are ok... One to try is "chainsaw". It's a wine that was created by "chainsawing" the bases off of chardonnay vines and grafting Pinot Noir onto them... at $20 bucks a bottle, by the case, this is a good value pinot. read more

Small winery tucked in between some of the biggies...(Christholm and St Innocent) The story behind the name is a nice draw, but the wine speaks for itself. No need for fancy getups. Of course the Pinot is amazing. We love the small single vineyard wines. Nothing like getting to know the terrior of the place. We really loved the whites...such delicate and distinct aromas and quite a tickle on the palate. the tasting room is small,but well worth the trip... I wouldn't recommend this place fora LARGE group unless they have a area to serve you. we were very fortunate, hubby and I were alone with the very knowledgeable pourer. We never felt rushed or pressured into buying wine...although we did have a few shipped. Witness a wonderful winery read more

Good wine, $5 tasting and great, friendly service. Liz is always friendly when we stop by at Witness Tree. read more

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Very friendly winemaker who is making some good wines that don't break the bank. Their tasting room is small and has no "wow" factor but I appreciate this small winery's story and devotion to the craft. I had a pleasant experience. Thank you. Jut Added: Their syrah is beautiful i just upped my review to 4stars. Remarkable bottle we opened recently, read more

It was a rather bittersweet visit to Witness Tree Vineyard. We arrived amidst the plumes of dust from the "construction" efforts of the new vineyard owners. Witness Tree itself has a wonderful story behind the name and the (remaining) wine was good. However, as we talked our pourer, we heard of the sale of the land to new owners. She went on to describe the efforts of the new land owners to completely plow under and resow the vines on the land formerly owned by Witness Tree. What should have been a time of growth and harvest was instead a visual wasteland of dirt and white powder. I'm not sure what the future plans are for the Witness Tree brand versus the new vineyards, but I wish them the best of luck. read more

OMG... Year after year, Witness Tree has been one of our favorite Oregon Pinots. The Vintage Select is my favorite as well as the Estate. They are simply beautiful wines and the nose is absolutely incredible. The hard part is being patient enough to age them a few years until they become an absolutely STELLAR wine. I hate waiting! read more

Great, great winery. Loved the Pinot and Jacques' service was wonderful.

One of my very favorite wineries in the whole valley. When we came with a larger group (and called ahead to make a reservation), they gave us an unexpected tour of the winery, and they let us taste some wines that aren't part of the regular flight. Love this place. read more

First time ever I choked on wine. High notes of alcohol and vinegar. My tongue just didn't want to be coated by these wines and kept fasciculating in my oral cavity in sheer terror. I felt kind of bad since the guy pouring was so nice. The "Sweet Signe" tasting could give someone diabetes, use caution. Not worth the tasting fee. I would never buy a bottle, or accept one even gratis. read more

4.5 stars. Quaint, unique winery, located near larger more well-known wineries. If you're looking for a modern tasting room with amazing views, this is likely not your place. If you're looking for a smaller, more unique place with great wines, this is a great stop. $5 tasting fee is just another plus. read more

This is what Oregon Pinot is all about. The wine maker is as nice and gracious as he can be and after tasting these wines, you can taste the love he puts into every vintage. We were fortunate enough to taste through a number of wines and talk with the sweet ladies in the tasting room. I think it proves something when you go to a winery and meet the owner and wine maker and when your talking to them they treat you like family. They really capture that here, no glitz and glamour just down to earth true family wine making. If you are visiting the Willamette wine region this is a MUST! Picturesque and delightful, not to mention the wines are the best we had out of all the 15 wineries that we hit. Thanks to the great family of Witness Tree Vineyards for making our trip one we will never forget!!! read more

I love their single vineyard wines. I didn't bother to taste any of their non-single vineyard wines. These are delicious, strong and elegant wines that have so many flavors that just keep presenting themselves layer after layer as you taste them. This place should be on your short list of wineries to visit read more

Friendly, great wine, great views - this place is well worth the trip. Had an amazing time and they even had some live music. Great wine and a great spot. read more