eyrie vineyards

We're spending 3 weeks in Oregon, so have the time to explore the wineries at our leisure. Eyrie was recommended b/c of its history, being the oldest winery in Oregon. We'd been to other area wineries prior, so were disappointed, by comparison, to find Eyrie in a less-than-charming downscale neighborhood (rather than the picturesque, sweeping-view kind of places we'd discovered previously). Inside, the room was pretty and the people nice, but the pours only average. We ended up with the impression that maybe the son is struggling a bit to live up to dad. It was the first winery at which we didn't buy at least a bottle. [Note: The charges for tastings were different from what we saw on their website. A printed "menu" offered two tastings: $10 for 4 wines (only one of which was a pinot noir and the others whites, including usually-sweeter ones) and a $25 for 8. When we expressed interest in a different combination, a mid-level "compromise" tasting was offered. We really appreciated that accommodation.]For a broad range of wines--from both local and imported grapes--the rural Sineann winery 20 minutes away offered a very extensive free tasting that was worth the drive. Call ahead.

We tried out the tasting room that is located in town instead of going out to the vineyard. The location and wines were great. There were 2 tasting flights both $10 or $50. The $10 is worth it and allows for you to taste wine from the oldest vineyard.

If you really want to know the history, you may want to read up on the place before visiting. If you taste at the end of the day you may not get the full attention of staff as they have to attend to the "drinkers". The ladies poured us a nice selection. The wines were very good, but others in the area suited out taste better.

Eyrie has been one of my favorite wineries for a long time. Even as the business grows, it still feels small and family-like when I'm there. There's no ostentatious tasting room here; it's simple and serves the basic needs - serving tastes of wine in a comfortable environment. The wines are delicious and every time I visit, no matter how familiar I am with all the wines, I always learn something new from one of the knowledgeable staff members.

Just by chance, my wife and I plucked a bottle of Eyrie pinot noir from a market shelf on the first day of our September trip to Oregon. It's not a label we see in our local (Connecticut) wine shops, and we were pleasantly impressed with the wine. Then, during a tasting at another winery, the person pouring suggested we pay a visit to the Eyrie tasting room. We got there a little before its noon opening, before the sign was out, and almost didn't find it down a quiet side street in McMinnville. When we did, we were warmly greeted by Jason Lett, who took over the winery from his late and legendary father David, a man who is also the father of the Oregon wine industry. We got the full story (and sampled six fine wines) courtesy of our pourer, a former PR man and college professor who only recently joined Eyrie but is already a well-informed guide. Eyrie is not a big production winery; you won't find their bottles everywhere you go, so don't miss your chance for a tasty sampling of wine AND wine history just an hour out of Portland.

Small tasting room in McMinnville with a very knowledgible wine steward (pourer). The wine flight was varied and the prices are good for the quality of the wine.

Eyrie makes great gris and it is one of the oldest wineries in Oregon. The server was so nice and even though it was busy, she kept up with everyone seamlessly. They were sold out of gris, but she gave us some great samples an although she told us about the wine, she also wanted us to decide what flavors we were tasting.There tasting room is a little dark for my taste, but on a hot day, it was nice and air conditioned. They have some nice shirts and such for sale as well.

First U.S. winery to produce pinot gris; theirs is very goodExcellent estate pinot noirHost, Jacque, is exceptionally knowledgeable about wines