Category Archives: Oregon

Bethel Heights

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Bethyl Heights Winery in Eola Amity Hills

6060 Bethel Heights Rd NW, Salem, OR 97304

Website: https://www.bethelheights.com/

On my second trip to Oregon wine country we decided to spend a day exploring the Eola-Amity Hills region, located a short drive northwest of Salem.  This beautiful area epitomizes the farming side of winemaking.  After driving through busy Salem, we found ourselves on quiet country roads surrounded by rolling hills of vineyards as far as the eye could see.  Pulling into the parking lot of Bethyl Heights, the outside of the tasting room doesn’t look real fancy.  The building has dark gray wood paneling and a red metal roof.  There’s an old fashioned grape press near the entryway.  The history of this winery dates back to 1977 when a group of relatives Ted Casteel, Pat Dudley, Terry Casteel (Ted’s twin), Marilyn Webb, and Barbara Dudley decided to change direction from their current occupations and purchased 75 acres in an area that one of the earliest Oregon settlers referred to as Bethel Hills.  It took several years for the newly planted vines to produce their first crop for wine in 1981.  What started as wine made in Terry’s basement turned into 3000 cases of commercial Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Gewurztraminer by 1984.  Over 30 years of winemaking they grew their production to 10,000 cases of estate produced wine.  Today, the original owners are joined by the next generation to help run the winery.  All of their wine is estate grown and organically certified.

Bethyl Heights Tasting RoomWalking into the tasting room provided a totally different atmosphere from the modest looking building outside.  I immediately felt welcomed walking into the airy tasting room.  Two walls of the room were completely framed in glass from ceiling to floor with doors that opened right onto the back patio.  The floors were covered in large slate colored tiles, and the lights on the ceiling were clear, glass globes.  All of this made it feel like we were standing in the center of the beautiful surrounding vineyards that we could see out the windows from almost any angle of the room. In the center of the room were a few small tables and chairs for tastings inside.  On the left side of the room was also a marble top tasting bar big enough for 4-5 people to stand around.  Our hostess immediately greeted us and walked us to a table on the back patio.  The view of vines all around was stunning and it was so peaceful.  We took a seat at a picnic table and took our time sipping through our tasting as the hostess brought the wines to us one by one.  There were several other groups there at the same time as us, but it felt so quiet.

Over the course of an hour or so, my husband and I sampled a total of 7 wines.  We started off with a tropical, refreshing Pinot Gris and a crisp Pinot Noir Rosé.  Then we moved on to two different style Chardonnays.  I found the 2017 Casteel Chardonnay to taste of creamy pears and caramel while the 2017 Estate Chardonnay was light and bright.  The Pinot Noirs did not disappoint either. My favorite was the 2017 Justice Vineyard Pinot Noir made from a mix of the oldest and youngest vines with cherry fruitiness and a velvety mouthfeel.  At the end of our tasting we had to bustle out to get to our next reservation, but we loved the wine and took some home with us.  If I lived in the area, I could see myself spending a lot more time on that patio.

The view from the patio at Bethyl Heights

Tyee Wine Cellars

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Tyee Wine Cellars

Tyee Wine Cellars

26335 Greenberry Rd, Corvallis, OR 97333

Website: http://www.tyeewine.com/

Tyee Wine Cellars is a quaint winery located in Corvallis, OR in the center of Willlamette Valley.  The winery is part of the 120-year-old Buchanan Family Century Farm.  Five generations have lived on the farm and preserved the woodlands, wetlands, and streams that are part of the property.  The first vines were planted in 1974.  Merrilee Buchanan Benson is the current winemaker since 2006.  She grew up on the family farm.  “Tyee” comes from a Northwest word meaning “Chief” or “Best”, which represents the winery’s philosophy to create the best wines that pair with local cuisine. 

This winery sits within a rustic red and white barn-like building.  The surrounding view is astounding.  There is a picnic table out front shaded by a big tree and a couple of wooden chairs next to the tasting room entrance.  To the right of the tasting room is an archway leading behind the winery.  In the back is a wide-open space amongst the vineyards where they hold events.  It felt like walking into someone’s back yard.  Directly behind the winery is a crush pad with barrels and picnic tables beneath a big wood roof. This is where they have events like weddings and special private occasions. 

 

Tyee's Tasting Room

Tyee’s Tasting Room

Tyee is a small production winery, making only 1,500 cases a year.  Besides being conservationists, they are 100% solar powered and certified salmon-safe.  The tasting room is within a small space that made it feel like being a guest is a relative’s home.  The tasting bar is a small counter top.  Behind it on the wall was a whiteboard with the wine list written on it.  There was also a cash register, sink, and tray of wine glasses behind the bar.  Various awards and pictures decorated the wall.  To the right of the tasting room was an entrance to another narrow room with a couple throw rugs, paintings on display, and a few other gift items.  The girl who served us was very nice and social.  My friend and I were the only visitors until a married couple stopped by to pick up their wine club bottles. 

I tried the winery’s four varietals – Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürtraminer, and three types of Pinot Noirs. My favorites were the crisp, fruity Pinot Gris and 2012 Estate Pinot Noir which was voted best in Oregon by Oregon Wine Press.  The wine labels are pretty neat, each with artwork of a wetland or woodland creature.  The labels were created by artist James Jordan.  This winery is open for drop in tastings on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from April to December. Check their website for exact times. During the summer, they open their 1 ½ mile long habitat trail to the public.  What I liked about this winery is that it felt like a true, family winery experience in a peaceful setting.

View from Tyee Wine Cellars in Willamette Valley

View from Tyee Wine Cellars in Willamette Valley

Sokol Blosser

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Sokol Blosser Winery

Sokol Blosser Winery

5000 NE Sokol Blosser Ln, Dayton, OR 97114

Website: http://sokolblosser.com/

 

Vineyards in front of Sokol Blosser Winery

Vineyards in front of Sokol Blosser Winery

Sokol Blosser is in the Northern Willamette Valley in Dayton, Oregon.  This winery has a gorgeous setting with 85 acres of row upon row of vines surrounding the winery.  The property was an abandoned prune orchard when owners Bill and Susan purchased it.  The winery has been family owned since the first vines were planted in 1971.  Bill and Susan’s children, Alex and Alison, now run the winery.  All of their wine is sustainably organic and certified Salmon-Safe.  They are known for their Pinot Noir of course!

The remodeled tasting room opened July 2013.  I would classify this place as a very modern winery.  Upon driving into the parking area, you can see several solar panels pointing out toward the vineyard.   The building has an open structure with lots of natural sunlight.  There is lots of outdoor seating both in front and in back of the tasting room to take in the peaceful setting while sipping wine. 

Sokol Blosser Tasting Room

Sokol Blosser Tasting Room

The tasting room is wide open with light wood paneling from ceiling to floor.  There are also windows from ceiling to floor facing front and back.  You can catch a view of the vineyards from pretty much any angle inside and out.  The tasting bar is in the center of room with a fireplace in one corner.  The atmosphere is very comfortable with some leather seats and some tables and stools.  Around the corner from the tasting room is a room called “The Library” where guests can peruse and purchase merchandise off the shelves.  There is even a kitchen where guests can meander in and watch the culinary specialists prepping food while sipping their wine.  In the back of the winery, there are some picnic tables.  We took a walk out back to grab some photos of the panoramic view and came upon a tractor loaded with grape musts.  It was an idyllic wine country experience.

For our tasting, we started off with a crisp Pinot Gris and Rosé of Pinot Noir.  We then tried the Dundee Hills Pinot Noir from 2009 and 2011.  It was interesting to compare the differences.  Vintage 2009 was a warm year and gave the Pinot Noir notes of warm spice and milk chocolate, while the 2011 vintage brought forth cherry, cranberry, and cola flavors.  We also sampled the 2011 Estate Cuvée Pinot Noir made from a blend of their best four blocks which had loads of cherry, some smoky oak, and light acidity.  I finished off the tasting with a white Riesling dessert wine made in an ice wine style.  I loved the wine, but only those with a real sweet tooth would enjoy it. 

This winery has a lot to offer.  Beyond all of the various areas for guests to sit and enjoy their tasting, they can also purchase a butcher board for some bites to eat and picnic outside.  They can take a tour of the winery.  And in the summer time they could sign up for a 3 mile hike with a catered lunch and wine afterward.  Check their website for details.

Panoramic view of Sokol Blosser vineyards from behind the winery

Panoramic view of Sokol Blosser vineyards from behind the winery