Published on October 2, 2026
Arhcery Summit, Gran Moraine, Domaine Drouhin
Winemakers planted Chardonnay vines in Oregon in the early 1970s, and to this day it remains the most widely grown white grape in the Willamette Valley, but on a recent visit we found some amazing white Pinot Noirs and traditional method sparkling wines made from white varieties as well. We’re big fans of the wineries that French winemaking families founded over 20 years ago and we’re also very happy to see that some of their winemaking techniques have rubbed off on other producers, especially those making quality whites in the region.
We discovered that many of the winemakers ferment their white wines in stainless steel and concrete tanks and choose to use oak barrels more judiciously. This means many of the finished wines will be clean, bright, and crisp with no oak aging. Producers who do choose to use barrels do so to enhance the fruit flavors and not overpower them thus making elegant, restrained whites. Here are seven amazing Oregon white wines we have recently enjoyed, we hope you enjoy them as well.
Domaine Willamette 2021 Brut Sparkling Wine
Image Credit: Domaine Willamette
Domaine Willamette was founded by Jan and Jim Bernau in 2022 but Jim’s interest in wine goes back to the early 1980s when he purchased his first Pinot Noir vines. The current winemaker is the fabulous Terry Culton and besides crafting outstanding offerings he’s a great coach in the fine art of sabering sparkling wine bottles. We had a fun afternoon sabering a few bottles and unfortunately (or fortunately) once a bottle is opened in this fashion there’s no way to recork it for later. His 2021 Brut Sparkling has heady aromas and flavors of mango, honeysuckle, freshly baked brioche, and ripe Fuji apple. The mouthfeel is full bodied, and the finish is loaded with refreshing acidity that invites you in for another sip.
Gran Moraine 2021 Yamhill-Carlton Chardonnay
Image Credit: Gran Moraine
Winemaker Shane Moore grew up in Idaho but had an early interest in farming and wine, so he moved to Washington and attended Washington State University. After graduation he made wine in Canada, Western Australia, Sonoma, and Israel’s Golan Heights, before finding his home at Gran Moraine. When visiting his open-air winery guests can experience an ever-changing play list of music 24/7/365 that keeps the winemaking team dancing. We found a bottle of Moore’s 2021 Yamhill-Carlton Chardonnay in the back of one of our racks, and it just goes to prove how well these wines evolve and stand up to the test of time. It has enticing aromas of delicate lemon blossoms, apple, and freshly baked focaccia. It is creamy and full bodied in the mid palate with flavors of lemon curd, green apple, pineapple, and white peach.
Domaine Roy et Fils 2023 Quartz Acorn Vineyard Chardonnay
Image Credit: Domaine Roy et Fils
Jared Etzel and Marc-André Roy founded Domaine Roy & Fils and today the winery is under the stewardship of the well-known Italian winemaking family, the Frescobaldis. Jacopo Canciani is the winemaker, and he is assisted by Nick Wasieleski. Grapes for this delightful white are grown in ocean floor sedimentary soils that contain quartz crystals. It has aromas of citrus blossoms, white peach, and Gala apple that transfer to peach and citrus flavors balanced by creaminess and vibrant acidity in the palate.
Archery Summit 2023 Dundee Hills Chardonnay
Image Credit: Archery Summit
Archery Summit was founded by Gary Andrus in 1993 after establishing Pine Ridge Vineyards in Napa Valley in 1978. The winery is well known for its delightful Pinot Noir, but this Chardonnay is too stunning to not share with the world. Brilliant pale gold in the glass it has aromas of mandarin zest, Anjou pear, and freshly cut honeydew melon. It is full bodied and generous in the mid palate with flavors of pear, citrus blossom, apple, and lemon curd.
Erath 2023 Le Jour Magique White Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills
Image Credit: Erath
Erath was founded by Oregon winemaking pioneer Dick Erath in 1968 when he first planted vines on a stony 49-acre plot in the Chehalem Mountains. Today winemaker Lea Adint continues Erath’s legacy of making fruit-forward, elegant, and balanced wines. Her 2023 Le Jour Magique white Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir and has a gorgeous bouquet with aromas of tropical fruits, crushed oyster shell, white peach, and just a touch of savory dried herbs. The ethereal experience continues with full on flavors of kumquat, Bartlett pear, mandarin orange, apple, and brilliant acidity in the finish.
Rex Hill 2018 Grand Cuvée Sparkling Wine
Image Credit: Rex Hill
Rex Hill is named for a slope in the Chehalem Mountains where trains owned by the Portland & Western line once crossed. In the 1920s it was a fruit- and nut-drying facility, and when founders Paul Hart and Jan Jacobson purchased the abandoned building nearly a century later, they chose to preserve the structure and maintain its historic character. Their 2018 Grand Cuvée sparkling wine has aromas of baked bread, apple cider, and apricot that transform to fruit flavors of apple and peach with hints of toasted hazelnut in the finish.
Domaine Drouhin Oregon 2023 Arthur Chardonnay Dundee Hills
Image Credit: Domaine Drouhin
Domaine Drouhin Oregon covers 235 acres in the Dundee Hills overlooking the Willamette Valley. Robert Drouhin had a vision to create a winery that could produce the same quality of wine in Oregon that his family has made for centuries in Burgundy. He planted 13 acres of Chardonnay and 117 acres of Pinot Noir that are currently farmed sustainably and are LIVE certified. The domaine’s 2023 Arthur Chardonnay has vibrant aromas of orange peel, Gala apple, and a touch of cinnamon. This full-bodied white offers flavors of apple, freesia, and lemon curd.
Dining and Cooking