In 1983, with the encouragement from winemakers making their move from
California, Oregon native and Founder Jim Bernau cleared away an old pioneer
plum orchard in the Salem Hills, hidden underneath scotch broom and blackberry
vines. Unable to afford drip irrigation, he watered them by hand using 17 lengths
of 75’ garden hose. His dream was to make Pinot Noir that would be a classic,
elegant representation of the Willamette Valley growing region. A combination
of determination and extraordinary people has brought Willamette Valley Vineyards
from a bold idea to one of the region’s leading wineries, earning the title
“One of America’s Great Pinot Noir Producers” from Wine Enthusiast.
Since the winery's founding in 1983, stewardship of the land has been a key principle in our winemaking and farming practices. Bernau believes Pinot Noir made with consideration for the environment, employees and community simply tastes better. Willamette Valley Vineyards has continued to grow from its original three estate vineyards – the Estate Vineyard, Tualatin Estate and Elton Vineyard – with the addition of Ingram Estate, Bernau Estate, Loeza Vineyard and Jory Claim. As Oregon’s Leading Producer of Willamette Valley Appellated Pinot Noir the winery sources all of its barrel-aged Pinot Noir from its estate-grown vineyards and meticulously farms over 500 acres in the hills of the Willamette Valley. All our producing estate vineyards are certified LIVE and Salmon-Safe.
