Airlie Winery
Thirty acres planted in 1983 on the valley’s western edge, owned and run by women since 1997. Nine varieties, a $20 flight you build yourself, and a pond you are welcome to picnic beside.
Closed December through February, except by appointment. If you are planning a winter trip, call first — 503-838-6013.
Airlie sits further west than most of the valley’s wineries, out past Monmouth where the Coast Range starts to rise. It is quieter out here, and the whole place is built around letting you stay a while rather than moving you through.
The wine
Ask for the Dunn Forest Pinot Noir — the 2020 is $45, and it is the estate bottling, from the thirty acres planted here in 1983. If you want somewhere to start instead, the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is $28.
What makes Airlie unusual is the range. Nine varieties, including Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau and Maréchal Foch — grapes most of the valley gave up on in favour of planting more Pinot. The flight is $20 and you choose what goes in it.
Who it is for
Minimal intervention, women owned, and smaller in feel than the estates nearer Dundee. The person pouring is genuinely interested in the complexity of what is in the glass, and there is time to get into it.
It is LIVE Certified Sustainable and Salmon Safe, dog friendly, and there is a pavilion by the pond where you can bring your own food and make an afternoon of it.
Who would find it wrong: anyone looking for prestige, or anyone who wants something easy-drinking and then wants to move on. This is not a stop to tick off. If you are not going to sit down, the drive out will not feel worth it.
What to expect
Walk-ins are fine during posted hours, which is rare enough to be worth planning around. Groups should arrange ahead. Elizabeth Clark has made the wine since 2005; Mary Olson has owned the place since 1997.
A beautiful spot, with someone who is passionate about the complexity of wine.
Planning a Willamette trip?
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