Shifting Timelines

Each year comes with its own opportunities, blessings, lessons, and gratitude. 

 
The 2022 growing season started out a bit rough; April brought bud break to most of our vineyard, as well as a frost event that only the strongest and most protected buds survived.  Once things started warming up, the vines needed some time to recover, luckily, vines have evolved resiliency.  On the nodes of each shoot there are not only primary buds, but secondary buds and in some cases, tertiary.  While it took some time, we slowly started seeing life emerge from some of those secondary buds.  Because of this delay in the growing season, we were extremely fortunate to have the warmest October ever recorded in Oregon's history.  The vines took full advantage of this opportunity, and we kept our eyes on the weather forecast, to fully take advantage of the extra ripening time, a blessing indeed.
 
As harvest begins and ends in each block I make a point to visit each individual block we are preparing to harvest and thank the Earth, Wind and Sun for the elements that they contributed to what is always a completely unique vintage. 
 
As harvest closes out on the entire Yamhill Valley Vineyard estate,  gratitude pours through me once again.  Thank you to the vineyard crew, our farmers, who worked the earth and touched each vine throughout the year.  Their hands pruned and trained the shoots in their dormancy and laid the foundation for the canopy that sprung to life come bud break.  They come back countless times; to chisel the living statues of grounded life, curating each and every vine.  They acknowledge and bend to the needs of the vineyard through each of the stages of its growth, always keeping in mind how to encourage energy into the leaves, roots, or fruit and knowing when to do each.  Each crew member's experienced eye is refined with each vintage, aiding them in creating balance amongst each vine to acknowledge the sentiment, "as above, so below" in a literal sense.  Thank you to the vines for what they produced, nature has a way, and specializes so intricately, that "it never hurries, yet everything is accomplished."  Thank you to the pickers who come rain or shine to cut the fruits of our labor and deliver them to the winery where they meet their fate.  Thank you to our cellar crew who come day after day to hold the hand of that fruit as it is alchemized into beautiful wines that express this place.  Thank you to family, friends and staff that fed our team during harvest, to keep us going strong when nature asked us to meet her halfway.  Thank you to our customers who support us in this vision, who share the story that is told inside each bottle, and who appreciate all of the layers of commitment it took to bring another story to your table, so that once again, we can start again on this ever-going cycle.  Gratitude.
 
- Ariel Eberle, Head Winemaker
 
 
 
 

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Upcoming Events

Winemaker Dinner at Steamboat Inn

Apr 25, 2026

For more than 20 years the best chefs, winemakers, brewers, and distillers from around Oregon have joined forces at Steamboat Inn to create special nights of food, drink, and friendship. The intimate ... read  more

For more than 20 years the best chefs, winemakers, brewers, and distillers from around Oregon have joined forces at Steamboat Inn to create special nights of food, drink, and friendship. The intimate and magical surroundings of Steamboat Inn lead to amazing collaborations that diners would not be able to experience in a traditional restaurant or tasting room setting. Join Head Winemaker, Ariel ...

Pinot Blanc Oregon

May 3, 2026

Oregon has recently become the largest producer of Pinot Blanc in North America and we continue to gain critical acclaim for the selections of wine made here. Join us for a day of discovery ... read  more

Oregon has recently become the largest producer of Pinot Blanc in North America and we continue to gain critical acclaim for the selections of wine made here. Join us for a day of discovery and tasting with 12+Willamette Valley Pinot Blanc producers at Winter's Hill.  Each has a unique winemaking story to tell and an expressive wine to share.   Learn More & Buy Tickets
Winter's Hill
Winter's Hill 97114 6451 NE Hilltop Lane, Dayton, OR 97114

Wine on Water

May 7, 2026

Join us on the Portland Spirit to taste your way through Oregon on this sunset wine tasting cruise! More than a dozen local wineries will be on board with us to showcase our latest vintages. Tickets ... read  more

Join us on the Portland Spirit to taste your way through Oregon on this sunset wine tasting cruise! More than a dozen local wineries will be on board with us to showcase our latest vintages. Tickets include a two-hour sunset cruise, 14 wine tasting tickets and a souvenir wine tasting cup. Save $5 per ticket with coupon code "Yamhill" at portlandspirit.com/wine or call 503-224-3900. ...

Mother's Day Guided Vineyard Hike

May 10, 2026

It's spring, it's Mother's Day, it's the perfect time to go on a vineyard hike! Step into the vineyard with us to take in the sights, smells, and sounds of spring in the valley. We'll step in between the ... read  more

It's spring, it's Mother's Day, it's the perfect time to go on a vineyard hike! Step into the vineyard with us to take in the sights, smells, and sounds of spring in the valley. We'll step in between the rows, check in on the budding vineyard, take in the vineyard views, and of course, taste the wine made from each of the blocks we visit.During this guided hiking experience, you will taste five wines, ...

Mystery Wine Flights

May 14, 2026 - May 18, 2026

In celebration of UFO Weekend in McMinnville, we’re adding a playful twist to your tasting experience! Join us for a Mystery Wine Flight — a blind tasting of five wines, served in brown ... read  more

In celebration of UFO Weekend in McMinnville, we’re adding a playful twist to your tasting experience! Join us for a Mystery Wine Flight — a blind tasting of five wines, served in brown bagged bottles to keep things delightfully under wraps. Put your palate to the test and guess the varietals or vintages of the wines. Nail your guesses, and you just might win a prize! This special ...
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