notes on two recent tastings in the valley
So yeah… I’ve clearly been in the mood for wine tastings lately! It’s honestly the perfect time of year to be in wine country—the flowers are blooming, the hills are bright green, and the sun is finally coming out more consistently.
This week’s standout wineries are White Rose Estate and Sokol Blosser Winery, both located within about 10 minutes of each other in the Dundee Hills. Despite the proximity, the experiences couldn’t have been more different, from ambiance to winemaking style to the wines themselves.
Let’s get into it!
white rose estate
It’s hard to know where to begin with White Rose because I genuinely have so many good things to say.
My first visit was back in November for an industry party at the end of harvest—think 40 degrees, pouring rain, and dark by 5pm. And yet, it still stands out as one of the best winery experiences I’ve had, largely because of the hospitality. The tasting room was dimly lit and cozy, the wine was flowing, and the winemaker, Greg, even took the time to walk us through the cellar. The night ended with espresso and chocolate for everyone, which was such a thoughtful touch.
That experience stuck with me, and I knew I had to come back during a completely different season. Last week, I finally did! 🙂
The tasting room sits at the highest point in the Dundee Hills. The drive up, winding through vineyards and blooming trees, sets the tone immediately. When the building comes into view, you just know you’re in for something special. While the indoor space is warm and intimate, sitting outside in the spring is unbeatable. Perched in the sun overlooking the rolling hills (with a perfectly clear view of Mt. Hood), it genuinely felt a little surreal.
Our host, Kalina, was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, striking that perfect balance of guiding the tasting while keeping it conversational. White Rose’s approach to winemaking is also distinctly unique: they focus on sourcing fruit from different sections of the same vineyard and then varying winemaking techniques to create multiple expressions. It’s an intentional, stylistic approach that really comes through in the wines.
This was one of those tastings where every glass felt like a new favorite! Here are my tasting notes:
2023 Convivialist Chardonnay
Bright citrus aromatics with notes of lemon curd, sweet pea, and honey. Light bodied and crisp.
2022 Convivial Feast Piont Noir
Highly aromatic, with floral and smokey notes layered over red plum and subtle spice. The palate shows rose petal, tart blackberry, and fresh acidity, with structured tannins.
2023 Convivial Feast Pinot Noir
More youthful and fruit driven, with blackberry and red fruit. Softer and more approachable on the palate, with balanced tannins and a smoother finish.
2022 Explorers Series Yeast Pinot Noir
Complex and slightly savory, with notes of stewed strawberry, floral tones, and a subtle earthy edge. Light bodied but well structured.
2023 Collector’s Contemporary Pinot Noir
A standout. Layers of cacao, chocolate-covered strawberry, raspberry, and tobacco. Expressive and evolving in the glass, with excellent depth and balance. This would be the perfect wine for Valentine’s Day!
2024 Convivialist Syrah
Another standout. Vibrant and fruit-forward, with blueberry, blackberry, and pomegranate alongside subtle black pepper. Juicy and expressive.
Not only are the wines, setting, and hospitality exceptional, but everything at White Rose feels intentional and guest-focused. This is by far a MUST-STOP in the Valley.
White Rose Estate Visitor Info
Location: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley
Known for: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, small-lot, site-driven wines, stylistic winemaking approach
Food: (not sure if they have snacks), espresso & affogato
Vibe: Intimate, elevated, intentional
White Rose’s website
sokol blosser winery
Still riding the high from White Rose, I headed to my second stop: Sokol Blosser Winery—and somehow stayed on that same level the entire time.
Sokol Blosser is one of the more established names in the Valley, originally founded as one of the first wineries in the region. They opened Oregon’s first tasting room in 1978, and today operate out of a beautifully designed modern space, which opened in 2013. Sustainability is a major focus, with the property featuring solar panels, and they’ve made significant strides toward dry farming practices. From the moment we arrived (and were greeted with a welcome splash of rosé), the experience felt polished but still relaxed.
We sat outside on the front patio, soaking up the sun. My attempt at “working on a tan” quickly turned into a full sunburn (worth it, honestly). The property itself is stunning, with multiple seating areas: front patio, lawn, and indoor spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows. The vibe is casual but elevated, and the staff reflects that. Our host, Jared, was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely enthusiastic about the wines and the winery’s history.
I ordered Marcona almonds (a current obsession) and olives, which paired perfectly with the tasting. Between my flight and my friend’s, we ended up trying eight wines. Here are my notes from each!
Welcome Rose
Aromatic and vibrant, with notes of blood orange, tangerine, and orange peel. Bright and refreshing, with a clean, zesty finish. (I wanted to pair this one with orange chicken).
Reserve Flight
2024 Estate Muller Thurgau
Tropical and expressive, with pineapple, banana, and coconut notes. Soft and approachable, with a rounded, easy-drinking profile.
2022 Kalita Trillium Pinot Noir
Classic in style, showing cherry, blackberry, earth, and leather. Balanced and approachable, with a familiar, crowd-pleasing profile.
2022 Old Vineyard Block Pinot Noir
More perfumed, with violet, blackberry, and earthy notes of mushroom and forest floor. A subtle savory edge adds complexity.
2023 Watershed Block Estate Pinot Noir
Tart cherry and leather with hints of vanilla and light toast. Structured with a slightly firmer finish.
Seasonal Flight
2024 Willamette Valley Reisling
Crisp and bright, with green apple, apple juice, and citrus. Zesty acidity gives it a refreshing, lively finish.
2024 Croft Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh and aromatic, with notes of lemon, cut grass, and light florals. Clean and herbaceous on the palate.
2024 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris
Melon and citrus on the nose, with a tart, slightly bitter edge on the palate that adds structure.
2023 Orchard Block Estate Pinot Noir
Red fruit-driven, with cherry and subtle spice. Balanced and approachable, with soft tannins and a smooth finish.
Sokol Blosser delivers a well-rounded, thoughtfully curated tasting experience that feels both elevated and approachable. Between the beautiful setting, strong focus on sustainability, and consistently well-made wines, it’s easy to see why they’ve remained such a staple in the Valley. Whether you’re new to wine tasting or more experienced, it’s the kind of place that offers something for everyone, and does it really well.
Sokol Blosser Winery Visitor Info
Location: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley
Known for: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, estate-grown wines, early Oregon wine history
Food: Full menu
Vibe: Polished, scenic, approachable
Sokol Blosser’s website
final thoughts
White Rose and Sokol Blosser are minutes apart, yet completely different experiences: one intimate and stylistically driven, and the other historic, polished, and expansive. And this is part of what makes the Willamette Valley so special.
Where to next?🍷
Thanks for reading 🙂
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