Montinore Estate: A Picturesque Winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley

If you’re interested in wines and plan to be in or around the Portland, Oregon area, take the scenic drive to Montinore Estate, located about 30 miles west of the city in the northern Willamette Valley.

The estate houses a striking mansion built in the early 1900’s along with a nearby contemporary tasting room, picturesque landscaping and gardens and hundreds of acres of vineyards. It all adds up to a beautiful package, capped by a winery that has been producing wines for nearly 25 years.

In addition to Oregon’s signature varietal Pinot Noir, the winery tends to focus on white wines such as Pinot Gris, Riesling and Muller Thurgau. All of the wines are made from grapes grown exclusively on the estate.

I’ve really been enjoying the 2004 Gewürztraminer (about $12) as of late. It’s a nice, complex wine that begins with lovely aromas of rose petals and spice. It also displays plenty of apple and citrus flavors, backed by hints of clove, nutmeg and a touch of sweetness on the finish.

This would be an excellent wine to serve with ham, lightly seasoned poultry dishes or spicy Asian cuisine.

Montinore Estate wines are available at most major Bellingham grocers and can be special ordered if not currently in stock. They can also be purchased online at www.montinore.com or by phoning (503) 359-5012.