The 7 Best Pinot Noir Wines From Oregon to Drink Now in 2026
Four Graces, Domaine Serene, Rose Rock
As many of our readers already know, Pinot Noir is a native of Burgundy, and the word pinot comes from the French word used to describe the shape of a pinecone, while the word noir simply means “black.” But what continues to elude many people is that some of the best Pinot Noirs in the world are now coming from Oregon. Don’t get us wrong, we’re staunch fans of Pinot Noir from Burgundy, but the level of quality currently found in Oregon Pinot Noirs is astounding and only continues to improve year after year.
Pinot Noir is grown around the world in California, Australia, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and New Zealand, to name only a few locations. But we think its expression in Oregon is very close to the Burgundian profile. We’re not sure exactly why, but it could be due to the climate, terroir, French winemakers, oak regimen, or clones used. In fact, when blind-tasting Oregon Pinot Noir, many wine experts incorrectly think the wine was made in Burgundy. We’ve tasted quite a few stunning Pinot Noirs from Oregon this week, and here are our seven recommendations.
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Nicolas-Jay 2022 Own Rooted Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Nicolas Jay Jean-Nicolas Méo is well known for his stunning wines from Vosne-Romanée, but he teamed up with music promoter Jay Boberg to make excellent Oregon Pinot Noirs. Their Own Rooted Pinot Noir is made from old-vine sites that were planted more than 30 years ago. It is fermented using native yeast, aged in 50 percent new French oak barrels for 16 months, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. It has aromas of rose petal, black raspberry, purple flowers, and a touch of forest floor that lead to flavors of black raspberry, red cherry, and caramelized orange peel layered with luxurious tannins.
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Domaine Serene Evenstad 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Domaine Serene Grace and Ken Evenstad purchased a 42-acre hilltop property in Dundee Hills in 1989 and named it after their daughter, Serene. To this day, Grace can be found here, her other property in France, or around the world supporting charity wine auctions. Her Domaine Serene Evenstad 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir has aromas of red cherry, red currant, and freshly ground cinnamon. It has silky soft tannins that support flavors of black cherry, clove, and red plum.
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Rose Rock by Drouhin 2023 Oregon Zephirine Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Rose Rock The famed Burgundian Drouhin family founded Maison Joseph Drouhin in 1880 and established Domaine Drouhin Oregon in the Dundee Hills in 1987. They purchased Rose Rock Vineyard in 2013 and continue the family legacy of making fine Pinot Noir in both Burgundy and Oregon. Their 2023 Zephirine has aromas of crushed violet petal, wild strawberry, and a whiff of rose petal that lead to flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, black cherry, and a touch of cocoa powder.
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Rex Hill 2021 Sims Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Rex Hill Jan Jacobsen and her husband, Paul Hart, founded Rex Hill in 1982 and planted Pinot Noir on a farm that had been abandoned in the 1970s. They produced well-respected Oregon Pinot Noir until 2007, when they retired and sold the winery and vineyards to Deb Hatcher, Bill Hatcher, Cheryl Francis, and Sam Tannahill. This delightful Pinot Noir is made from grapes grown in Sims Vineyard, and it has enticing aromas of cherry cola, black cherry, and a touch of aniseed. It has a sturdy backbone of minerality with flavors of plum, cranberry, and cherry.
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Archery Summit 2023 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Archery Summit Napa winemaker Gary Andrus founded Pine Ridge Vineyards in 1978, and in 1993, he headed north of California to launch Archery Summit in Oregon. He was impressed with the quality of Pinot Noirs from Willamette Valley and was one of the first winemakers to make wine in the Dundee Hills. His Archery Summit 2023 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir has aromas of dried cherry, pomegranate, and a touch of forest floor, which transition to flavors of rolled tobacco leaf, raspberry, and brown baking spices all wrapped in a velvety tannic sheath.
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Bergström 2023 Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Bergstrom Josh Bergström worked in Burgundy to hone his winemaking skills and then returned home to the Willamette Valley to take over the reins from his parents, John and Karen Bergström. He wears many hats and functions as the vineyard manager, winemaker, business manager, and just about everything else needed to run a remarkable winery with 84 acres of land. His 2023 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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Four Graces 2023 Reserve Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Willamette Valley
Image Credit: Four Graces Four Graces is named for the founding family’s four daughters. The Black family purchased the vineyard in 2003 and planned on using it exclusively for family retreats, and with that goal in mind, turned the estate into a 40-acre sustainably farmed estate certified by L.I.V.E. (low impact viticulture and enology). Four Graces is currently owned by Bill Foley and his family and produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc. The 2023 Reserve Pinot Noir has aromas of black cherry, plum, and black olive tapenade with silky tannins and flavors of cherry, cranberry, and brown baking spices.
