The 7 Best Oregon Pinot Noir Brands to Buy Now in 2025
Pinot Noir was first planted in various parts of California during the 1849 Gold Rush, finally made it north to Oregon 1965, and yet it didn’t become popular until Domain Drouhin started cultivating it in 1987. Today Drouhin has a stunning 235-acre estate in the Dundee Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley and the domain was the impetus for many other French families and investors to move to the area. Other current French-founded wineries include Nicolas-Jay, Lingua Franca, Chapter 24, and Résonance.
Most of our readers already know this, but as a refresher, Pinot Noir is a native of Burgundy, France and the word pinot comes from the French word used to describe a pinecone (because of the shape) while the word noir simply means “black.” Besides its ancestral home Pinot Noir is grown in California, Australia, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, New Zealand, and many other wine regions around the world, but we think its expression in Oregon is very close to the Burgundian profile. Perhaps this is due to terroir, French winemakers, clones used, oak treatment, and climate but many experts incorrectly think Burgundy when blind tasting an Oregon Pinot Noir. This week we’ve tasted quite a few excellent Pinot Noirs from Oregon and here are our seven favorites.
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Lingua Franca 2022 The Plow Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Lingua Franca Owner Larry Stone purchased the well-known Janzen Farm in 2012 and further invested in his team by hiring top Burgundian winemaker Dominique Lafon. Larry and Dominique are assisted by Thomas Savre and together this Pinot Noir dream team makes some of Oregon’s best Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Their Lingua Franca 2022 the Plow Pinot Noir is garnet red in the glass with aromas of candied orange peel, bright red cherry, and pomegranate. Smooth, rounded tannins envelope luscious flavors of cranberry, cherry, brown baking spices, and tangerine.
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Ken Wright Cellars 2023 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Ken Wright Cellars Ken Wright studied enology and viticulture at University of California, Davis and then worked for Ventana, Chalone, and Talbott Vineyards in California before moving to Oregon in 1986 and establishing Panther Creek Cellars. In 1994 he founded his eponymous winery in downtown Carlton and to this day he continues to make wine in the Yamhill-Carlton District of Willamette Valley. His single-vineyard Shea Pinot Noir has aromas of finely ground white pepper, black cherry, and cranberry that lead to flavors of dried red cherry, pomegranate, and tangerine peel wrapped in velvety tannins. The finish goes on for a long time and there’s a pleasant burst of bright acidity in the post palate.
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Domaine Serene 2021 Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Domaine Serene One of Willamette Valley’s best known luxury Pinot Noir producers, Domaine Serene was founded by Grace and Ken Evenstad in 1989. They purchased a 42-acre hilltop estate in the Dundee Hills and named it after their daughter. Carl Formaker is the winemaker and he is at the top of his game right now. His 2021 Yamhill Cuvee has enticing aromas of red currant, red cherry, and brown baking spices with silky soft tannins and flavors of red cherry, black cherry, and a hint of clove in the long, long, finish.
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Nicolas-Jay 2022 L’Ensemble Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Nicolas-Jay Music promoter Jay Bobert teamed up with famed Burgundian winemaker Jean-Nicolas Méo from Méo Camuzet in Vosne-Romanée. Their L’Ensemble 2022 is the fourth version of this blend of Pinot Noir from multiple vineyards throughout the valley. Aromas of red raspberry, forest floor, and cedar draw you in to the glass for flavors of cherry, mandarin orange peel, strawberry, and finely ground white pepper enclosed in a smooth tannic sheath.
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Bergström 2022 La Spirale Vineyard Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Bergström Josh Bergström took over from his parents John and Karen after refining his winemaking skills in Burgundy. He wears many hats, functioning as the vineyard manager, winemaker, business manager, and just about everything else needed to run a remarkable winery with 84 acres of land. His 2022 La Spirale Vineyard Pinot Noir has aromas of crushed flower petals, red cherry, and cranberry with flavors of ripe strawberry, pomegranate, and brown baking spices.
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Antiquum Farm 2022 Juel Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Antiquum Farm Visitors to Antiquum Farm are usually amazed at the number and variety of animals the winemaking team uses to control pests and weeds between the vines. They not only use sheep but also employ pigs and chickens to clean up whatever the sheep miss. Antiquum Farm 2022 Juel Pinot Noir has enticing aromas of red cherry, black tea, and cranberry that transfer to the mid palate with silky smooth tannins and flavors of cranberry, plum, and nutmeg.
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Old Bridge Cellars Chapter 24 Vineyards 2021 Last Chapter Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Old Bridge Cellars Chapter 24 Vineyards Named for the last chapter of Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, which was added after the poet’s death, Chapter 24 was founded in 2011 as a joint project between Burgundian winemaker Louis-Michel Liger-Belair and managing partner Mark Tarlov. The duo feel the name implies that a great ending should also contain a promise for the future. Their 2021 is cherry red in the glass with aromas of red cherry, cranberry, and a touch of cinnamon stick and flavors of pomegranate, dried black cherry, and caramelized orange peel that fade into an enduring finish.
