17495 NE McDougall Rd, Dayton, OR 97114
Wines: Tempranillo, Lagrein, Barbera, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Red Blends
With a focus on Italian varietals, this isn’t your typical Oregon winery. Remy Wines is based in an old farmhouse at the foot of Breyman Orchards Road. Winemaker Remy Drabkin grew up in the Oregon wine industry and has been making wines since she was 14! She started her eponymous Remy Wines label in 2006 and opened her charming farmhouse tasting room in 2017. The tasting room and surrounding grounds is a relaxing environment to explore her excellent Italian varietals, including Tempranillo, Barbera, and Nebbiolo. The grapes are sourced from choice vineyards in both Oregon and Washington and reflect the best that the northwest has to offer.
Why We Love Remy: After a day of tasting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, a departure to other varietals is always welcome!
18900 NE Trunk Rd. Dundee, OR 97115
Wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
White Walnut Estate is the brainchild of Chris Mazepink, former winemaker at Archery Summit. Chris purchased a small parcel of land next to Archery Summit and Domain Drouhin in the Dundee Hills several years back and has planted it mostly to Chardonnay. While the rest of us hunkered down during Covid, Chris built his charming winery on the property, complete with a small barrel cave carved into the hillside. For Chris, the identity of the place was already written, now, it was just a question of planting it with a great diversity of clones and letting that identity sing through. Oregon wine lovers will appreciate the wines Chris has crafted. There is no house style. There is no standard list of bottlings. This is all about the vineyard and letting the story of the vintage unfold in whatever way it does.
Why We Love White Walnut: The wines are truly exceptional and getting high acclaim, and Chris Mazepink pours the wines himself
6451 NE Hilltop Ln, Dayton, OR 97114
Wines: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and sweet wine
Winter’s Hill is a small family-run estate winery at the top of the southern Dundee Hills. The Gladhart family owns and operates Winter’s Hill, from managing the vineyard and the rest of the farm, to making the wines and greeting you in the tasting room when you come to visit. Thirty five acres of vineyards are nestled into a 150 acre farm including fir and oak forests. The Gladharts say that farming their land is a privilege, and they have followed sustainable farming practices since Peter and Emily Gladhart planted the first vines in 1990. Open daily, the tastings are conducted in the working winery so you can see, smell and hear all the action.
Why We Love Winters Hill: The views are remarkable and wines critically-acclaimed.
15800 NE McDougall Rd, Dayton, OR 97114
Spirits Offered: Distinct Oregon whiskeys
Branch Point Distillery is a small independent whiskey distillery in the heart of Oregon wine country. Located at the base of the South Dundee Hills by Stoller Vineyard, the distillery sources grains from local farmers to produce unique Oregon whiskies not found anywhere else. They utilize traditional methods of production such as distillers’ malt, pot stills, pre-prohibition barrel strengths, and non-chill filtration to create more flavorful and authentic whiskies. All of the whiskies are mashed, fermented, distilled, matured, and bottled on site. The tasting room opened in late 2018 and is a modern, inviting space to taste through these high-end spirits.
Why We Love Branch Point: Because, why not? We enjoy locally made spirits and it makes a great treat on a rainy fall afternoon.
