An Oregon Sommelier Maps the Best Tasting Rooms in Willamette Valley

• 4180 Lone Star Rd NW, Salem, OR 97304

If you do head out to Bethel Heights, this nearby vineyard is another exemplary iteration of the way wind impacts fruit in the Eola-Amity Hills. “Bethel Heights and Eveningland are located really close to each other,” Kim says. “The same thing is happening with the wind there—this entire AVA uniquely has that climate feature.” 

Thoughtful tasting settings like a rustic-chic private cabin with a real wood-burning stove inside, or a secluded deck overlooking the vines, make this a beautiful place to take in the pinot noir, chardonnay, and gamay this house is producing. As weather permits, additional experiences, like outdoor vineyard tastings, let guests experience the draw of this producer’s two historic sites, the Seven Springs and Anden Vineyards. Adventurous guests can seek out the waterfall hike, where chilling a bottle of white downstream from the falls is not unheard of. 

Another note for those setting up multiple tastings: book here and at Bethel Heights on the same afternoon. “Grouping wineries from one AVA together can be a nice way to plan a day,” Kim says. That kind of stacking is also empowering for less experienced tasters, as building familiarity with a single winegrowing region is the first step toward expertise.