The Eyrie Vineyards
Wine Tasting & Tours in Willamette Valley
935 NE 10th Ave, McMinnville, OR 97128
The Eyrie Vineyards is a winery in Willamette Valley, known for its exceptional wines and tasting experiences. Visitors can enjoy guided tastings in a relaxed setting with expert commentary. It is featured on LocalTastingTours' Willamette Valley wine tasting experiences.
About The Eyrie Vineyards
The Eyrie Vineyards is where Oregon Pinot Noir began. David Lett planted the first Pinot Noir vines in the Willamette Valley in 1965, defying conventional wisdom that the grape could not ripen this far north. Twelve years later, Lett's 1975 South Block Pinot Noir placed second in a blind tasting against red Burgundies at a Paris tasting — the moment the wine world realised Oregon could compete with France.
Today the estate is run by David's son Jason Lett, who continues the founder's philosophy: low-intervention winemaking, whole-cluster fermentation, native yeast, and modest oak. The Original Vines Reserve, made from those original 1965 vines, is one of the most historically significant bottles in American wine. The estate's Pinot Gris (also a Lett pioneer) is the best in Oregon, made in a textured, food-friendly style closer to Alsace than Italy.
What to Expect
The tasting room is in downtown McMinnville (not at the vineyard), a converted warehouse with a relaxed, scholarly atmosphere. The standard tasting walks through 5 wines including the Original Vines Reserve. The hospitality is famously generous — visits often extend well past the scheduled time.
Wines to Try
Visitor Tips
Reservations recommended. The McMinnville location is convenient and allows pairing with the town's excellent restaurant scene (Nick's Italian Café, Crescent Café, Jory). The Original Vines Reserve is the must-try — there is nothing else like it in American wine. The Pinot Gris is worth buying by the case.
Visit The Eyrie Vineyards on a Guided Wine Tasting Tour
See The Eyrie Vineyards with an expert local guide as part of our curated Willamette Valley wine tasting experience. Small groups of max 6 guests only.
Book the Willamette Valley Wine Tasting Tour →