Lenné Estate
A twenty-one-acre hillside of marine sedimentary rock that the winery itself calls the worst agricultural soil in the Willamette Valley. Steep, south-facing, and the struggle is exactly what makes the wine. Walk-ins welcome, which on this list is rare.
Most wineries tell you about their soil in order to boast. Lenné tells you theirs is more rock than dirt and rated the worst farmland in the valley. Vines that have to fight make better wine, and this is the clearest demonstration of it in Yamhill-Carlton.
The wine
Pinot Noir, and a good deal of it for a place this size: Lenné Estate, Kill Hill, Cinq Élus, South Slope Select, LeNez, and three single-clone bottlings — Jill’s 115, Eleanor’s 114 and Karen’s Pommard. The house style runs to a mocha-like aroma and a strong mid-palate.
You picked a 2023 Chardonnay. Their wines page lists eight wines and every one is a Pinot Noir — Chardonnay appears only in marketing copy, with no bottling, vintage or price anywhere, including at retailers. It may be club-only.
Call 503-956-2256 to settle it, or name a Pinot instead and I will swap it in.
Who it is for
A steep, south-facing slope giving complexity and character, breathtaking views from the tasting room, and small batches made without much intervention. The wines are accessible and gorgeous and they represent the valley well.
Who would find it wrong: if you do not want beautiful views or lovely wines in a small setting, there is nothing here for you. That is a short list of people.
What to expect
Thursday to Monday, eleven until five, with Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment. Book through Tock, call, or simply turn up — they say outright that they are always walk-in friendly. The tasting space reopened in April 2025 after a serious renovation.
The Estate flight is $40 and waived if you buy two bottles; the Reserve flight is $50 and waived with three. There is also a $5 beer flight, waived if you buy a beer, which tells you something about how seriously they take themselves.
A stunning tasting room, with accessible and gorgeous wines that represent the Willamette Valley.
Planning a Willamette trip?
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