spaswinefood: Oak Knoll Winery, an Oregon first

On a near perfect July day I visited Oak Knoll Winery, a family owned winery in the Willamette Valley, near Hillsboro. This family owned winery was established in 1970 by Ron and Marj Vuylsteke. It was the first winery established in Washington County. The winery was also among the first group of wineries established in Oregon. By 1978 Oak Knoll wine counted for a third of all wine sold in the state. Today the second generation continues the wine making tradition at Oak Knoll. It is always exciting to visit a winery where wine making has been a family tradition.

Oak Knoll Winery © Spaswinefood

The winery first began production experimenting with a variety of grape and fruit wines. Today the winery is known for producing quality white wines, red wines and sweet wines. Since its establishment Oak Knoll has received many accolades for its wines (see also their web page). Very little of the grapes used in their wine production are grown at the winery site. They primarily source their grapes from nearby vineyards.

Entrance to Oak Knoll Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

During my visit to the Oak Knoll tasting room I tasted the following wines:

White Wines (dry)
1) Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2011

Oak Knoll Winery, Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2011 © Spaswinefood

2) Winemakers Series Chardonnay Unoaked 2011

Oak Knoll Winery, Winemakers Series Chardonnay Unoaked 2011 © Spaswinefood

3) Willamette Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir 2013

Oak Knoll Winery, Willamette Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir 2013 © Spaswinefood

Red Wines (dry)
1) Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2010

Oak Knoll Winery, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2010 © Spaswinefood

2) Red Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008

Oak Knoll Winery, Red Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 © Spaswinefood

3) Columbia Valley Toasted Cow Red Vintners Blend 3rd Edition

Columbia Valley Toasted Cow Red Vintners Blend, 3rd Edition © Spaswinefood

4) Columbia Valley, Lonesome Creek Ranch Barbera 2008

Oak Knoll Winery, Columbia Valley, Lonesome Creek Ranch Barbera 2008 © Spaswinefood

5) Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Oak Knoll Winery, Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 © Spaswinefood

6) Columbia Valley, Goose Ridge Vineyard Syrah 2009

Oak Knoll Winery, Columbia Valley, Goose Ridge Vineyard Syrah 2009 © Spaswinefood

I particularly liked the Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Barbera wines. I did not taste any of their semi-sweet whites, sweet red or other berry wines. However, Oak Knoll is well known for its sweet wines. If you love sweet wines then Oak Knoll is a must. Schiller - Wine has written a detailed article on the wine production at Oak Knoll. You will find reviews of Oak Knoll wines on Snooth. Winey Women has video reviews of their Pinot Gris 2012, Pinot Noir 2010 and Barbera 2008. You may also check other visitors comments on their visit to Oak Knoll at Tripadvisor and Yelp.

The winery gets its name from its surroundings, which has an abundance of oak trees. The setting is awesome for a picnic.

If your travels take to the Willamette Valley drop by Oak Knoll Winery. Oak Knoll makes for a perfect Spaswinefood experience; so do not forget to bring your picnic basket. During the summer there is also a concert series at the winery. During a Willamette Valley Wine Country visit you will find that there are many wonderful Willamette Valley wineries to visit. Here is a list of Willamette Valley wineries. In addition, the Oregon Wine Board provides a complete list of Oregon wine regions. I invite you to join me in my travels in Oregon and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood.

Sharon

July 2014

Hillsboro, Oregon