The Willamette Valley holds a very special place in my heart. The Willamette Valley is where I really started to learn about wine and I mean really learn about it. From soil types, to AVAs, to all aspects of climate this truly sparked my curiosity to dive in and learn more.
And Anne Amie Vineyards in the Willamette Valley is the host of Bubbles Fest, my most favorite yearly event which truly is heaven for any bubbly lover. Bubbles Fest gives you the opportunity to taste at least 15 different sparkling wines from all different Oregon wineries which is amazing because it a day long event in one place. So you really get to taste a variety without having to travel to each of the wineries.
When you live 30 minutes outside of Willamette Valley Wine Country, you find yourself spending many weekends exploring and tasting all the wine. And it’s taken several years, but we’ve finally put together a guide to most of the Sparkling Wine Of The Willamette Valley.
Willamette Valley Wine Country
Oregon is most famous for its Pinot noir. And I do love their pinot noir. In fact the first few years I lived there, I spent my time tasting pinot noir (and bubbly too, of course), but that’s where I really started to learn about what all goes into winemaking and what you’re tasting as an end result.
And while the climate is perfect for the most amazing pinot noir (by the way, I won’t drink any pinot noirs that aren’t from Oregon because Oregon truly spoiled me), the climate is also ideal for sparkling wines. And because of that, so many wineries are making sparkling wines now and they are oh so good!
Willamette Valley is quickly making a name for itself in the sparkling wine world and I wouldn’t be surprised if you think of it for sparkling wine just as you would think of it for pinot noir.
If you’ve never been to the Willamette Valley, you need to put it on your list. And if you have been then you know just how many wineries there are and how it’s hard to even make a dent in one visit. Heck, I lived there for several years and didn’t even get to 1/3 of the wineries in the Willamette Valley.
Because of this, it’s a yearly trip for me…actually usually a multiple times a year trip for me and I know that you will love it there as well. Our focus now when we go is truly all sparkling wine, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy some pinot noir as well while I was there. But let’s talk about all the sparkling wine in Willamette Valley Wine Country.
Sparkling Wine Of The Willamette Valley
Now, I will say that sparkling wine is becoming so popular in the Willamette Valley, that this guide in not even complete. We have identified all of the sparkling wine I have tasted the Willamette Valley and the wineries/tasting rooms I’ve visited.
On each graphic you will see an empty glass of bubbly if I have simply tasted their sparkling wine and a full glass of wine with a little commentary below it if I actually have visited the winery.
Hopefully this helps you on your next trip to Willamette Valley Wine Country.
Kramer
I tasted Kramer at Bubbles Fest and when I saw how many more sparkling wines they have, I knew I had to go visit. And I was super excited when I got there because they have a label called Celebrate, which you know I had to bring home. This label is forced carbonation while the others are made the traditional way.
With a selection of 15 sparkling wines, you are sure to find one that you love here. The outdoor area was undergoing some work while we were there, but they have a great deck space to enjoy your tasting.
Hawks View
Hawks View has some amazing views and I used to come here all the time when I lived in Oregon so I was really excited to learn they now have sparkling wine. They have 2 sparkling wines, and their Blanc de Noir is definitely sweeter is made with forced carbonation. I enjoyed the Sparkling Rosé which was a lot less sweet.
Rex Hill/A to Z
You may not be familiar with Rex Hill but if I said A to Z Wineworks, would that ring a bell? A to Z has a delicious Bubbles that you can get in almost any grocery store or wine shop. The cans are a bit harder to come by but they’re both a great sparkling rosé. And by the way, the cans are just as cute as the bottle.
Now Rex Hill is the actual tasting room you will visit and you will taste the Rex Hill brand of wines when you visit. Let me paraphrase how it was explained to me, A to Z is the big name that is all over the country and Rex Hill is the brand under A to Z that gets to have all the fun.
We stopped in looking for the A to Z Bubbles cans for our canned blog post and was pleasantly surprised to taste the Rex Hill 2016 La Vie en Rosé Sparkling which I did enjoy and was sad that the Grande Cuvée Sparkling 2015 was sold out. I must mention that the grounds are stunning, full of the most beautiful gardens and outdoor space to enjoy your bubbly.
Roco
I was introduced to Roco at Bubbles Fest and it was definitely a favorite, so I was excited to go try the others at the tasting room. All of their sparkling wines are made the traditional method.
The interesting thing about Roco is that their winemaker Rollins was the first to make sparkling wine in the Willamette Valley. And yes, their sparkling wines are delicious. It’s definitely worth the trip even if just to experience these sparkling wines made by the very first in all of Oregon.
Duck Pond
I belonged to Duck Pond when I lived in Oregon and they have delicious sparkling wine and pinot noir. In fact, they used to have one of my most favorite sparkling wines, but sadly it’s all gone. For their members, they have a super fun behind the scenes tour and food/wine pairing. Definitely ask about it even if you’re not a member, it’s a lot of fun.
Argyle
If you ask any sparkling wine lover for a recommendation in the Willamette Valley, they will likely say Argyle. And yes, I have been here many times and tell you all about it in a full review.
Alit
Alit is unique in that the winemaker is in Burgundy, France and so the 100% chardonnay sparkling wine we tried was imported in.
Furioso
Furioso is one of my favorite wineries to visit, it’s just so beautiful inside and outside and when I lived in Oregon, they didn’t have bubbly, but now they do so I was beyond excited to try it. And oh my goodness, I will say it’s much more than I typically spend on a sparkling wine, but it is absolutely delicious and so worth it.
When I was there, they had just the 2017 Brut Rosé but they did share with me that there’s more on the way, so I can’t wait for that.
Sokol Blosser
By now, I am guessing you know how much I love Sokol Blosser. In case you don’t know, you can read all about it and why they will always have a special place in my heart.
Stoller
I tasted Stoller at Bubbles Fest and was super excited to go visit the winery in person. The views are stunning and they have several bottles of bubbly to taste.
I have to mention this bottle of Chemistry because for starters, the story behind it is so unique, but the bottle is only $20 and is delicious! And just like they said, “You’ve got a party waiting to happen.” Because of that, I came home with 2.
They have 3 other bottles of sparkling wine and canned bubbles that we reviewed and are sad we only came home with one of each.
Corollary
Corollary is a new kid on the block joining the Willamette Valley in 2017 and what I love best about them is they only make sparkling wine! So this is a very fun and unique tasting experience as they get their grapes from all over the valley and create some delicious sparkling wines. You have to hear the story of how this all began…it’s amazing! They used to not share it, but honestly it’s too good not to share.
Absolutely go visit Corollary and enjoy this tasting experience. It’s by appointment only and you will be completely spoiled during the tasting with 1:1 attention. All of their sparkling wines are made with the traditional method and they have 5 different kinds, so you know you’re in for a treat.
They are located right on Winter’s Hill property, so if you think you’re going the wrong way, you are not.
Anne Amie
Anne Amie is the host of Bubbles Fest so I have visited the winery on those occasions. But I have been lucky enough to taste all of their sparkling wines. Grab a glass and go sit on their Adirondack chairs in the back and enjoy the views.
Soter
I belonged to Soter when I lived in Oregon because I love their sparkling wine so much. In fact, the only magnum of bubbly I’ve ever purchased was from Soter. I will say, this is more expensive than typical sparkling wines I share, but it’s absolutely worth it. They do offer fun tasting experiences if you want to taste more than just sparkling but their sparkling wine is worth the trip alone.
Chris James Cellars
Chris James Cellars is a hidden gem. You have to go up to the actual winery and hear the story behind it. With 2 sparkling wines (one is definitely sweet), it’s a fun little stop definitely away from everything else.
Abbey Road Farm and Winery
Abbey Road Farm and Winery is quite new and is a new must stop for me. Their sparkling wines are very different and non-traditional and so unlike anything you will taste other places. And their grounds are spectacular. You could spend hours here between tasting and wandering about taking fun photos. And you have to visit because in their own words, “We’re fun!”
R. Stuart
I visited the R. Stuart tasting room in McMinnville which was a treat because you could take your glass of bubbly and just go sit outside on the street (it was closed off because it was Friday night) and just people watch and enjoy the bubbly.
Varnum Vintners
Check out all the fun I had at Varnum Vintners in my full blog post review.
Left Coast
I tasted Left Coast at Bubbles Fest a few years ago and the bottle intrigued me so much because it looks like actual specks of gold in it. So when I had the opportunity I went to visit in person and the visit was amazing!
We went on a tour of the grounds which are massive and stunning. And I was able to see the leaves of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes (the 3 grapes that make up all champagne) which was very cool. And I got to do my last tasting in the cave.
Definitely sign up for this experience and plan your visit around lunch time. They literally do farm to table menu and it looked amazing. That was our one regret and now I need to go back.
By the way, taste their ciders (if they have them when you go) or be sure to ask about them…it’s a very cool story.
Eola Hills
For all my thoughts on Eola Hills, check out the blog post. Definitely a stop to plan a bit of time for because you can do more than just taste their wine. And by the way, I think my favorite pinot noir is here, so you need to go.
Illahe
Illahe is a must stop! They may only have one sparkling wine and it’s delicious, but their pinot noir is so good and the stories behind the pinot noir are even better.
Willamette Valley Vineyards
The views at Willamette Valley Vineyards are amazing and the food is delicious. And while they only have one sparkling wine now (at the time of this visit), there is definitely more to come as they are building an entire sparkling wine facility in Dayton.
It’s important to note that they have several different locations of tasting rooms to experience their wines.
Where to Stay
Our last trip we finally stayed at the Dundee Hotel and it was a great visit. We can’t wait to go back and experience even more of what they have to offer. To learn more about the Dundee and where we ate during our stay there, check out the full blog post.
If you love staying in an Airbnb, our Airbnb at Kookoolan Farms during our last girls’ trip to Bubbles Fest was great. A good location. Plenty of room and the greatest hosts.
Sparkling Wine Discounts
If you’re looking to bring some Oregon Bubbly to your front door, here are some options to save you some money.
Sokol Blosser-Free shipping on 6 bottles or more with code SHIP6VICKI
Varnum Vintners-15% off anything with code BUBBLY
By the way, I don’t receive anything if you use these codes, these are just for you from the winery to allow you experience the taste of Oregon.
What winery in Willamette Wine Country is your favorite? And what bubbly do we still need to try?
