Apr 18, 2025
Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, America's leading wine region
The Story of Willamette Valley Vineyards
Pinot Noir cultivated with passion
The seeds of Willamette Valley Vineyards were planted long before the company was founded in 1983. Founder Jim Berneau's father, a lawyer who helped obtain Oregon's first winery license after Prohibition, offered Jim a taste of California winemaker Richard Sommer's wines over dinner, which lit the way for Jim to pursue winemaking.
Jim first made wine at age 10, when he started out as a hobby, secretly using his mother's frozen Concord grape juice and learning about fermentation from an encyclopedia.
In 1983, with the encouragement of winemakers who had immigrated from California, Jim reclaimed an old plum orchard in Salem Hills. He cleared the land, which was covered with Scotch broom and blackberry bushes, and planted Pinot Noir seedlings. He couldn't afford to install an irrigation system, so he connected 17 hoses and watered the seedlings by hand.
Winemaking that inherits tradition and innovation
Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown in partnership with Oregon wine pioneers .
Merger with Tualatin Vineyards (Bill Fuller), founded in 1973
Partnership with Elton Vineyard (O'Brien family), established in 1983
Development of Loeza Vineyard, planted in 2015
Currently, we carefully manage our own vineyards, approximately 500 acres, and all of our barrel-aged Pinot Noir is made from grapes grown on our own land.
Towards a sustainable future
Since our founding, environmental considerations have been a key part of our winemaking philosophy. We practice sustainable farming practices and were instrumental in the creation of the LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) program.
By joining forces with wine lovers, we are realizing our vision of creating world-class wines, and our more than 26,000 owners (NASDAQ: WVVI & WVVIP) participate and support our winemaking efforts.
Wine lineup
🍷Estate Pinot Noir 2022 Variety: Pinot Noir
This classic Willamette Valley wine exemplifies the classic style, showcasing a rich aroma of black cherry, clove, aniseed, savory herbs, and earthy nuances. Its medium body and rounded, juicy mouthfeel complement the aroma with layered flavors of raspberry puree and clove, while lively acidity and well-integrated tannins create a beautiful, lingering finish.
🍷Whole Cluster Pinot Noir 2023 Variety: Pinot Noir
The wine boasts a gorgeous aroma of dried cherry, cinnamon, and cranberry, and the palate is dry and fresh with a pleasant acidity and silky tannins that blend seamlessly into the light body. Nuances of cherry, leather, and tobacco are added, further enhancing the depth of the Pinot Noir fruitiness.
🍷 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir Rosé 2023 Variety: Pinot Noir
The gorgeous aroma of ripe cherry, blood orange, hibiscus flower, and crushed herbs spreads, and is layered with flavors of fresh watermelon, cherry blossom, and ripe strawberry, creating a refreshing, sparkling finish.
🍷Pinot Gris 2023 Variety: Pinot Gris
The soft floral aroma is layered with fresh aromas of lime and pear. The taste is slightly dry, with a good balance of alcohol and body, and you can enjoy the ripe flavors of apple, tropical citrus, and melon, as well as a subtle minerality.
Sales Information
Release date: April 18, 2025
