notes from two recent tastings in the valley
Last week, a friend and I spent another spring day back in the Valley doing one of my favorite random Tuesday activities: wine tasting! It was back to classic Oregon spring weather–gray skies and light rain–but the mood stayed high all day. This time, we visited Abbey Road Farm and Résonance wines, both located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Two very different, but equally memorable in their own ways.
Let’s get into it.
Abbey road farm
We started the day at Abbey Road Farm, a property known not only for its wines, but also for its on-site accommodations and event spaces. The setting is beautiful and has a slightly rustic feel, with vineyards surrounding the property, silos converted into Airbnb stays, and farm animals grazing nearby. The tasting room overlooks the hillside and is incredibly spacious, with plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating.
Since it was rainy when we visited, we sat inside by the fireplace, which was cozy and relaxed, though I can imagine the outdoor spaces really shine in the warmer months. We were the only ones there, which felt surprising given the size of the space. I imagine it’s much more lively on weekends. Guests are encouraged to explore the property with a glass of wine in hand, which adds to the laid-back, experiential feel.
What makes Abbey Road Farm stand out is its experimental approach to winemaking. They work with an impressive range of varietals (a shocking 16 in total) and use a variety of fermentation vessels and techniques. Fruit is sourced primarily from their 40 acres of estate vineyards, with additional sourcing from Walla Walla for Syrah and Pinot from across the Valley. Their winemaker, originally from New Zealand, leans into experimentation, and that curiosity shows in the diversity of the wines.
I’ll admit, when a place has a bigger event focus, I sometimes wonder how the wines will stack up. But we were pleasantly surprised across the board. Our host, Matt, struck the perfect balance between attentive and informative, while still giving us space to enjoy the tasting. We tried both the white and red flights, along with a few extras he generously added in. We also ordered a cheese board with some pear mustard and honey, which was incredible with the wines.
Here are notes from the tasting:
2024 Estate Blanc de Blanc
Fresh and lively. Green apple, citrus, and the perfect hint of brioche. Crisp, really easy to sip.
2024 Estate Sparkling Rosé
Half pinot noir and half pinot munet. Strawberry, watermelon candy, and soft floral notes. Kind of like creamy raspberry yogurt. Light, fun, and very drinkable (left with a bottle of this one)!
2023 -Estate Trousseau Gris
Aromatic with hints of wax and golden apple. Bright acidity with a clean, shorter finish.
2023 Estate Trosseau Noir
Cranberry, leather, and subtle spice (reminded me of Christmas). Structured with present tannins and a dry finish.
2024 Estate ‘Ex Metallum’ Chardonnay – paired with cheese board
Delicate and lifted, showing white tea, lemon peel, honey, and white flower. Light, crisp, and bright. A wine that really wants food paired with it.
2022 Estate 4407 Pinot Noir – paired with cheese board
Ripe cherry layered with oak-driven notes of vanilla and spice. Medium-bodied with a smooth, rounded profile.
2023 Estate Aligoté
Bright and saline, with lemon and a slightly bitter edge. Round on the palate with subtle oak influence.
2022 Carlton Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir
Underripe blackberry, concord grape jelly, and spice. Medium tannins but still light bodied on palette.
2023 Estate Trosseau Rosé
Rose petal, orange blossom, and melon. Crisp but slightly off-dry on the finish.
2022 White Bluffs Malbec
Black currant, pepper, and floral notes. Lighter than most Malbecs and very balanced, which I actually loved.
2022 Walla Walla Syrah
Blackberry and blueberry pie, alongside earthy and slightly bitter notes on the finish.
Overall, Abbey Road Farm offers a fun, exploratory tasting experience with a wide range of styles. Between the setting, the variety, and the approachable hospitality, it’s definitely a spot worth revisiting, especially in the summer.
Abbey Road Farm Visitor Info
Location: Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Willamette Valley
Known for: Diverse varietals, experimental winemaking, hospitality venues
Food: Light snacks
Vibe: Laid-back, social, rustic
Abbey Road Farm’s website
Résonance
After a quick stop for food at Mayala Thai in Carlton (highly recommend), we headed to Résonance Wines. From the moment we drove up, it felt like a completely different experience. The road winds through dense forest with towering, twisting trees—it honestly felt a little magical. At one point, a bunny ran across the road, which somehow fit the whole vibe perfectly.
The tasting room sits at the top of a hill, and the design is stunning. Dark wood tones, clean lines, and floor-to-ceiling windows create a seamless view through the space and out to the rolling hills beyond. The atmosphere is polished and calm, with soft jazz playing in the background. Outside, there’s a spacious patio overlooking vineyards, pastureland, and layered hills. With spring in full bloom and fog drifting through the valley, the view felt almost unreal.
Résonance has roots in Burgundy, and that influence shows in both their philosophy and wines. They farm vineyards across the Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, and Yamhill-Carlton AVAs, which allows for a really interesting range of expressions.
One of the highlights of the tasting was trying Pinot Noirs from each AVA side-by-side. It was such a clear way to understand how soil and site impact the wines—something I hadn’t experienced in quite this way before.
Our host, Ibis, was exceptional. Professional, knowledgeable, and warm, she guided the tasting seamlessly and made the whole experience feel elevated but still comfortable.
Here are the notes from the tasting:
2022 Les Coteaux Chardonnay
Complex and layered, with orange blossom, lemon peel, petrol, almond, and subtle oak influenced. Round and textured, with a balanced finish.
2025 Willamette Valley Rose
Bright and aromatic, with watermelon candy (sour patch watermelon), peach, light rose petals, and lucky charms marshmallows. Light, fresh, and easy drinking.
I think this was the first wine I ever tried from the 2025 vintage!!! So exciting 🙂
2022 Les Coteaux Pinot Noir
Smoky and savory, with red cherry, spicy red pepper, and hints of toasted oak. Structured with vibrant acidity and medium tannins.
Here are the three pinots we tasted side-by-side, each from a different AVA:
2022 Kossah Vineyard Pinot Noir – Eola-Amity Hills
Rocky volcanic soils (delicate and high acidity). Vines planted in 2013.
Bright and energetic, with raspberry, red cherry, and pronounced acidity. A more lifted, youthful expression with a subtle smoky edge.
I declared this wine the “younger brother,” if these three wines were in a family. I was feeling creative at this point in the day…
2021 Découverte Vineyard Pinot Noir – Dundee Hills
Red Jory soils (bright, fruity, richer, earthier). Vines planted in 1996.
Softer and more earth-driven, with dried rose, cranberry, and rainy forest floor. A holiday-feeling wine. Sophisticated and rounded.
This wine would be the “older sister.”
2021 Résonance Vineyard Pinot Noir – Yamhill-Carlton
Marine sedimentary soils (deep, dark, earthy).
A balance between the two, showing both fruit and earth. Happier, with notes of cherry, raspberry pie, and floral tones, with a structured yet approachable finish.
And finally, the “middle sister.”
My experience at Résonance is one I won’t forget. Every detail, from the setting to the wines to the hospitality, felt intentional and elevated. It’s easily a standout in the Valley and absolutely worth a visit.
Résonance Visitor Info
Location: Tasting rooms in Yamhill-Carlton and Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley
Known for: Pinot Noir, Burgundy-influenced winemaking, multi-AVA sourcing
Food: Light snacks
Vibe: Sophisticated, calm, polished
Résonance’s website
Final thoughts
What an incredible day! Two standout wineries just 15 minutes apart, yet completely different in style and experience.
We ended the day at the Organic Winegrowers Conference in McMinnville, where we tasted wines from over 20 organically focused producers and met several winemakers now on our list to visit. It was one of those days that reminds me exactly why the Willamette Valley is so special.
Thanks for reading 🙂
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