
Oregon’s 50 Best Wines of 2016
1. St. Innocent Winery
2013 Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir.
McMinnville, $36
Strawberry and raspberry. Nuanced. Delicate. Cellar this—with time, it will be swoon-worthy. Pair with: a cheese plate anchored by burrata
2. Iota Cellars
2013 Pelos Sandberg Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Eola–Amity Hills, $40
Straight outta Burgundy. Watermelon and fennel. French toast with a touch of cloves. Pair with: braised pork shoulder
3. Duck Pond Cellars
2015 St. Jory Vineyard Pinot Gris.
Willamette Valley, $18
The pinnacle of pinot gris. Fresh, lively, and juicy. Like drinking lemonade on the patio. Pair with: oysters or beet salad with goat cheese
4. St. Innocent Winery
2013 Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Eola–Amity Hills, $42
Like a Burgundian table wine. Full of floral spice. Wet stone and great grip. Pair with: braised beef, on your birthday
5. Utopia Vineyard
2013 Utopia Estate Chardonnay.
Ribbon Ridge, $42
Honeysuckle. Feminine. Lush. Meyer lemon. Silky, sweet cream. Pair with: poached shellfish
“Think you don’t like chardonnay? Try this. You could sit there and bury yourself in this wine.”
—Anne Scalamonti, front-of-house manager and wine buyer at Departure Restaurant and Lounge
6. Montinore Estate
2013 Parsons’ Ridge Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley, $45
The darker side of pinot. Sage, cedar, coffee, and tobacco. Pair with: pork cheeks
7. J. Scott Cellars
2013 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Columbia Valley, Oregon, $35
A speed racer. Black currant. Joyful and sexy. Fruity without being jammy. A “Mediterranean diet” wine: nibble and drink, nibble and drink. Pair with: a mezze platter
8. Et Fille Wines
2013 Heredity Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley, $34
Brandied cherries. Spring herb garden. Clean mushrooms. Violets. Pair with: steak tartare
9. Furioso Vineyards
2014 L’Altra Linea Furioso Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley, $45
Toasted brown bread. Nutmeg and the rest of the baking spice drawer. Salted caramel. Pair with: deep conversations
10. Statera Cellars
2014 Corral Creek Vineyard Chardonnay.
Chehalem Mountains, $35
Mango. Green apple. Cool, fruity, and funky—with a wild streak. A modern New World wine, not trying to be Old World. Pair with: fish tacos with grilled pineapple
11. Björnson Vineyard
2013 Edward Pinot Noir.
Eola-Amity Hills, $40
Black tea and black olives. Herbaceous and complex. Pair with: osso buco
12. David Hill Vineyards & Winery
2015 Estate Gewürztraminer.
Willamette Valley, $18
Rose petals. Lychee. Classic, approachable. Aromatic without being perfumey. Pair with: Thai food
“Spice and floral notes with tropical aromatics and crystalline purity make it a really appealing gewürztraminer. Pair this with PaaDee’s chicken wings.”—Ksandek Podbielski, co-owner and wine director of Coquine
13. Willamette Valley Vineyards
2014 Estate Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley, $30
Inky dark. Plums and Chinese five spice. Shiitake mushrooms with soy. Pair with: Szechuan-style chicken
14. Beaux Frères
2013 Chardonnay.
Yamhill-Carlton, $75
Yellow apples. Elegant. Muscular and rich, weighty without being heavy. Pair with: weeknight roast chicken
“This is for lovers of California white wines—a gateway drug to well-made Oregon-style chardonnay.” —Thomas Hebenstreit, wine director of Imperial and Headwaters
15. Coeur de Terre Vineyard
2013 Tallulah’s Run Reserve Pinot Noir.
McMinnville, $65
Plums with cinnamon. Cola. Eucalyptus. Mint. Black earth. Pair with: Thanksgiving turkey

Image: Erin Lux
16. Seven of Hearts
2013 Rattlesnake Road Vineyard Tannat.
Columbia Valley, $29
Marionberry and plums. The bigness of cabernet sauvignon with the finesse of cabernet franc. Suave, broody, and inviting. Pair with: smoked meats and a cigar
17. Luminous Hills
2014 Estate Pinot Noir.
Yamhill-Carlton, $35
Structured, spicy, and deep. Hibiscus and dark blackberry. Musky and heavy. Pair with: roasted duck
18. Timothy Malone Wines
2015 Medici Vineyard Riesling.
Chehalem Mountains, $18
A pleasing balance of acid and sweet. Wet stone. Germanic style. Pair with: salty hard cheese and charcuterie 19.
19. Tyee Wine Cellars
2014 Estate Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley, $28
Strawberry jam. Prawn shells. Black olives. Licorice. Peppery nasturtium leaves. Pair with: roast chicken and artichokes
20. Maison Roy & Fils
2013 Petite Incline Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley, $35
Mossy earth. Plum sorbet. Campfire smoke. Pair with: s’mores, tent-side
21. Cowhorn Vineyard
2014 Marsanne Roussanne.
Applegate Valley, $35
A sweater-weather white. Ripe pear and apple. Pleasing nuttiness with bright acid. Pair with: roasted pork with saffron
22. Merriman Wines
2013 Estate Pinot Noir.
Yamhill-Carlton, $40
Hibiscus flowers. Cranberry and black cherry. Coastal air, briny and bright. Pair with: Dungeness crab
23. Division Winemaking Company
2015 Division-Villages Les Petits Fers Gamay Noir.
Willamette Valley and Umpqua Valley, $22
Savory strawberry and bold black pepper. Buoyant and balanced. Pair with: braised beef and roasted squash
24. Longplay Wine
2013 Lucky 13 Pinot Noir.
Chehalem Mountains, $42
Spicy. Hitchcock films. Rosehips and tobacco. Makeout wine. Pair with: duck fried rice
25. Bethel Heights
2014 Casteel Chardonnay.
Eola–Amity Hills, $75
Minerality and spice. Hint of vanilla. Pair with: anything creamy and rich at St. Jack
26. de Lancellotti Family Vineyards
2014 Famiglia Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley, $40
Floral. Strawberry cotton candy. Wet earth. Butterscotch. Pair with: barbecue burnt ends
27. Maison Roy & Fils
2013 Incline Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley, $58
Clean and friendly. Ripe strawberry and tart cherry. Wet hay. Age-worthy. Pair with: grilled salmon
28. Franchere Wine Company
2014 Havlin Vineyard Grüner Veltliner.
Willamette Valley, $18
Pluots. Cardamom. Ginger skin. White soy sauce. Pour for: lovers of fino sherry
“This is great for people interested in trying something a little more experimental and esoteric.”
—Jessica Hereth, wine director of Olympia Provisions
29. Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards
2014 Reserve Pinot Gris.
Willamette Valley, $28
Farmyard flowers in the rain. Creamy lemon brioche. Bitter almond on the finish. Pair with: pizza bianca
30. Domaine Drouhin Oregon
2014 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir.
Dundee Hills, $45
Graham cracker. Cherry cola. White pepper. Pair with: pork and mushrooms
31. Holden Wine Company
2014 Dolcetto.
Willamette Valley, $23
Tart cherry and violets. Balanced aromatics: fruit, floral, wood. Pair with: prosciutto and peppered salami

Image: Erin Lux
32. Willamette Valley Vineyards
2014 Estate Chardonnay.
Willamette Valley, $30
Caramel apple saltwater taffy. Creamy with ripping acidity. Vanilla and white flowers with an underlying salinity. Pair with: oysters
33. Love & Squalor
2013 Riesling.
Willamette Valley, $20
Grapefruit zest and crabapple. Mouth-watering acidity that makes your mouth pop. Earthy. Textural and aggressive. Pair with: choucroute garnie
34. Cana’s Feast
2015 Redman Vineyard Arneis.
Ribbon Ridge, $20
Green apple. Quietly floral. Everyday, summery wine. Flinty, like shattered rock dust. Pair with: linguine and clams with a caprese salad
35. Winter’s Hill Vineyard
2013 Block 10 Pinot Noir.
Dundee Hills, $49
Savory. Bay leaf and tomato. Lime zest and green pepper. Suede. A love-it-or-hate-it wine. Pair with: Tuesday-night pizza
36. Trisaetum Winery
2015 Pinot Noir Rosé.
Willamette Valley, $24
Gulpable. Cranberry apple cocktail. A rosé with dreams of being a red wine. Serve it cold and chug it. Pair with: fried chicken
37. Cowhorn Vineyard
2014 Viognier.
Applegate Valley, $35
Jasmine-flavored Shock Tarts. Orange blossoms. Spicy and floral. Full of personality. Pair with: crab cakes with aioli
38. Day Wines
2014 Cancilla Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Willamette Valley, $40
Black tea and black cherry. Dr. Pepper. Fish sauce and seaweed. Pair with: Pad see ew
39. Longplay Wine
2015 Distortion Pinot Noir Rosé.
Chehalem Mountains, $20
Strawberries. Dusty rose petals. Prickly acidity. Pair with: porchetta sandwiches
40. Statera Cellars
2014 Johan Vineyard Chardonnay.
Willamette Valley, $35
A Netflix-and-chill wine. Wet rocks behind a waterfall. Tart lemon. Clean and refreshing. Pair with: Game of Thrones
41. Viola Wine Cellars
2014 Dugger Creek Vineyard Barbera in Barrique.
Walla Walla Valley (Oregon), $32
Succulent and savory. Red berries and soft herbs. Pipe tobacco. Made for year-round drinking. Pair with: your Friendsgiving potluck
42. Elk Cove Vineyards
2014 Mount Richmond Pinot Noir.
Yamhill-Carlton, $60
Plum and nectarine. Black cherry. Big and robust. Pair with: grass-fed-beef burgers
43. Coeur de Terre Vineyard
2015 Rustique Rosé.
McMinnville, $21
Delicately savory. Salted watermelon. Barbecue ready. Pair with: ribs and watermelon feta salad
44. Ore Winery
2014 Griffin Creek
Vineyard Sangiovese. Rogue Valley, $28
Inky and mercurial. Steak-house wine. Bravado. Tart red fruit and spice. Pair with: black pepper steak
45. Maison Roy & Fils
2014 Petite Incline Pinot Noir.
WillametteValley, $35
Pitch-black, ripe black currants and blackberries. A big red lover’s pinot—the new ‘Welcome to Oregon’ wine. Pair with: dark chocolate
46. Clay Pigeon Winery
2015 Maresh Vineyard Pinot Gris.
Dundee Hills, $19
Green apple, with a touch of sweetness. A wine geek’s pinot gris with a nod to the Alsatian style. Pair with: Thanksgiving’s first courses
47. Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards
2013 Timnah Bloc Prayer Rock Vineyard Tempranillo.
Umpqua Valley, $29
Long and strong. Keeps you coming back. Pair with: late-summer barbecue
48. Woven Wineworks
2014 No. 4 Covey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Gris.
Willamette Valley, $20
Grapefruit. Mild citrus. Nutty richness. Pair with: picnic in the park with friends
49. Franchere Wine Company
2014 Havlin Vineyard Syrah.
Willamette Valley, $24
Bright, dark fruit. Tart acidity. Leather. Earth. Pair with: lamb gyros
50. Rock Point Wines
2014 River Rock White.
Rogue Valley, $11
Roses and hops. Ocean air with a touch of sweetness. Drink on a hot day. Pair with: an ice cube
This Year’s Tasting Panel
Anne Scalamonti (Departure), Valerie Carrasco (La Moule), Colin Howard (Oso Market), Salvador Bethencourt (Roe), Ksandek Podbielski (Coquine), Carrie Wynkoop (Cellar 503), Drew Duggan (Andina), Cana Flug (Besaw’s), Brent Braun (Castagna), Lynn Helmel (Irving Street Kitchen), Thomas Hebenstreit (Imperial & Headwaters), Jessica Hereth (Olympia Provisions)