Look for the Red Soil
Iron-rich red Jory soil gives Dundee Hills Pinot Noir its bright red fruit.
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Wine Regions
Rising above Oregon's Willamette Valley floor, the Dundee Hills are where the state's Pinot Noir story began. Here is what makes the wines special and how to taste them.
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The Dundee Hills are a cluster of rolling hills in Yamhill County, in the northern part of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, roughly an hour’s drive southwest of Portland. The area became its own official American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2005. Its importance goes back further: in the 1960s, some of the very first Pinot Noir vines in the Willamette Valley were planted on these slopes, helping launch Oregon’s reputation for the grape. The climate is cool and marine-influenced, with wet winters and warm, dry summers. The Coast Range to the west blocks some of the Pacific rain and wind. Because the vineyards sit on hillsides, mostly between a few hundred and about a thousand feet in elevation, they stay above the cold, foggy valley floor at night and avoid the worst frost. Gentle, steady ripening gives Dundee Hills wine its balance and finesse.
The defining feature of the Dundee Hills is its soil. Much of the area is covered in Jory soil, a deep, red, iron-rich clay loam formed from ancient volcanic basalt lava flows. The red color is striking, and you will see it in every vineyard. Jory soil drains well while holding enough water to carry vines through dry summers, and it tends to produce wines with bright red fruit and a fine, silky texture. Elsewhere in the Willamette Valley, other areas sit on sedimentary soils from ancient seabeds or on windblown loess, which give somewhat different flavors. Comparing a Dundee Hills Pinot Noir with one from a sedimentary-soil area nearby is a great lesson in how soil shapes wine. Locals often call this part of the valley the Red Hills of Dundee because of its color.
Pinot Noir is the main grape in the Dundee Hills and the reason most people visit. The style is usually elegant and aromatic rather than heavy. Expect red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and cranberry, with floral notes of rose or violet and savory touches of earth, forest floor, and baking spice. Tannins are silky, acidity is bright, and alcohol tends to be moderate. Many people say Dundee Hills Pinot Noir is among the most perfumed and red-fruited in Oregon. Young wines are fresh and lively, while better bottles develop mushroom, tea, and dried-cherry notes over five to ten years or more. Compared with Burgundy, the fruit is often a little riper; compared with Pinot Noir from warmer California regions, it is lighter and more delicate. Vintage matters in Oregon, since weather varies from year to year.
Pinot Noir dominates, but the Dundee Hills also grow excellent whites. Chardonnay has become a real highlight in Oregon in recent years. Dundee Hills versions are usually fresh and restrained, with lemon, green apple, and pear, a mineral edge, and only light oak. They are closer in style to white Burgundy than to rich, buttery California Chardonnay. Pinot Gris is Oregon’s most widely planted white grape and makes medium-bodied, fruity wines with pear, apple, and melon, crisper than many Alsace versions but rounder than Italian Pinot Grigio. Some wineries also make Pinot Noir rosé, sparkling wine in the traditional method, and small amounts of Pinot Blanc and Riesling. If you visit, it is worth tasting the whites alongside the reds: they show the same bright acidity and pure fruit that the region is known for.
Start with a Dundee Hills Pinot Noir at the appellation level, which blends grapes from several vineyards. It gives a clear picture of the area’s style at a reasonable price, though Oregon Pinot is rarely cheap. Then try a single-vineyard bottle to see how individual sites differ. Pinot Noir’s bright acidity and soft tannins make it one of the most food-friendly reds. In the Pacific Northwest, the classic match is salmon, grilled or roasted, which can handle a light red beautifully. It is also great with mushroom dishes, roast chicken, duck, pork tenderloin, and turkey. Chardonnay pairs with crab, halibut, and creamy pasta, while Pinot Gris suits seafood, salads, and lightly spiced dishes. Serve Pinot Noir slightly cool, at about 58 to 62°F, in a large-bowled glass to capture its aromas.
The Dundee Hills are one of the most visited parts of Oregon wine country. The small town of Dundee sits on Highway 99W at the base of the hills, and many tasting rooms are on the winding roads above, with sweeping views of the valley and, on clear days, the Cascade mountains. You can visit several wineries in a day, but distances and hilly roads add up, so plan a route and use a driver or tour. Many wineries ask for reservations, especially on weekends. Late spring through early fall is the most popular time; harvest usually runs from September into October. Over the Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekends, many Willamette Valley wineries hold open houses. Review our tips on winery tasting etiquette before you go, and pair your trip with nearby towns such as McMinnville and Newberg.
| Grape or Style | Character | Try It With |
|---|---|---|
| Pinot Noir | Red cherry, raspberry, floral, earthy, silky | Salmon, mushrooms, duck |
| Single-vineyard Pinot Noir | More concentrated, layered, age-worthy | Roast lamb, game birds |
| Chardonnay | Lemon, green apple, mineral, light oak | Crab, halibut, creamy pasta |
| Pinot Gris | Pear, apple, melon, medium-bodied | Seafood, salads, light curries |
| Pinot Noir rosé | Fresh strawberry, crisp | Picnics, charcuterie |
Iron-rich red Jory soil gives Dundee Hills Pinot Noir its bright red fruit.
Many Dundee Hills tasting rooms require reservations, especially on summer weekends.
Oregon Chardonnay is fresh and mineral; taste it alongside the Pinot Noir.
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Answer a few simple questions and discover styles that fit your palate.
Take the Wine QuizThe Dundee Hills are best known for elegant, red-fruited Pinot Noir grown on red volcanic Jory soil. The area also makes fresh Chardonnay and Pinot Gris and was one of the first places in the Willamette Valley planted with Pinot Noir.
Jory soil is a deep, red, iron-rich clay loam formed from ancient volcanic basalt. It drains well but holds some moisture, and it is the signature soil of the Dundee Hills, often linked to bright, red-fruited Pinot Noir.
Yes. The Dundee Hills AVA is one of several smaller appellations within the larger Willamette Valley AVA in northwestern Oregon, located in Yamhill County southwest of Portland.
The Dundee Hills are roughly an hour's drive southwest of Portland, depending on traffic. That makes them an easy day trip, though many visitors stay in nearby towns to explore more wineries.
It is usually mid-priced to premium. Small production, hillside farming, and strong demand keep prices higher than for mass-market Pinot Noir. Appellation-level blends are the best value for a first taste.
Late spring through early fall offers the best weather and full tasting room hours. Harvest, from September into October, is exciting but busy. Winter is quieter, and some wineries shorten hours.
