In partnership with Serendipity, the following wines are available in the Texas & California markets with the exception of Bethel Heights, which is currently only available in the Texas market.
The Willamette Valley has long been a benchmark for American Pinot Noir, but within its rolling hills and varied microclimates lies a deeper story—one of innovation, resilience, and a deep respect for the land. As the region continues to evolve, its sub-AVAs play an increasingly vital role in defining the distinct expressions of Oregon wine. And as more wine programs emphasize domestic placements, there’s no better time to lean into this region’s bounty. From the wind-swept vineyards of the Van Duzer Corridor to the biodynamic haven of McMinnville, each area offers a unique lens into the valley’s terroir. In this exploration, we highlight four standout producers—Illahe, Maysara, Bethel Heights, and Left Coast Estate—whose dedication to craft and sustainability makes them essential stops on any Willamette wine journey.
Mt. Pisgah, Polk County AVA
New to the California market and a long-time staple in Texas, Illahe produces wines of vigor and warmth. Their work offers plenty of reasons to poke around Polk County— one of the most recent sub-AVA’s to be recognized in Willamette, established in 2022. Illahe was started by Pauline and Lowell Ford, who first planted the estate in 1983. Now it is in its second generation, husband and wife team Brad and Bethany Ford are at the helm. One of the most intriguing aspects of Illahe is their philosophy on time and winemaking: while grape-growing in Oregon is a relatively youthful industry, they look to the past to inspire their wine philosophy. This means trying out techniques that existed “before modern convenience” like using Percheron draft horses for transport and vineyard work in lieu of tractors, gravity-flow transfer of juices, native yeast fermentation and wooden basket presses. They also uphold Oregonian sustainability standards such as being both LIVE and Salmon Safe certified.
The Illahe Team
Illahe’s wines showcase the essence of their sub-AVA, where structure and earth-driven complexity take center stage. Their lees-aged Pinot Gris displays a combination of foudré, neutral french oak and stainless steel to deliver a textured white ever so subtilely inspired by Alsace. Reach for Illahe Pinot Noir any night of the week. A silky bite of tannin is perfect for food pairing, while friendly notes of French butter biscuit, wild strawberry and cedar convey comfort in a glass.
McMinnville AVA
Moe Momtazi in his vineyards
Wine-wise, hospitality is at the heart of Maysara’s offerings. Bottles are released only when the Momtazi’s feel they are ready to go to market, regardless of linearity. Try the 2015 ‘Jamsheed’ Pinot Noir for a graceful display of dark fruits, sweet smoke and forest floor. Or, if you really want to impress a Pinot Gris lover, Maysara ‘Arsheen’ is a white wine that consistently exceeds expectations. Tangy notes of lemon meringue come together prettily alongside honeydew melon, lavender and marzipan.
Eola-Amity Hills AVA
Located in the Eola-Amity Hills, Bethel Heights experiences the cool, brawny marine winds from which this sub-AVA takes its name. The now-thriving estate wasn’t always home to vineyards. In 1977, a group of friends came together and left their lives in academia to pursue grape-growing in what was then 50 acres of fallow walnut groves. Winemaking began humbly, in a garage, and grew from there. Since then, their ascent into the world of premium wine has become a marker for a significant time in Oregon viticulture. They currently own one of the oldest vineyard sites in the entire Willamette to have survived the phylloxera blight of the nineties. While most farmers strategically grafted their vines to alternative rootstock, Bethel Heights’ own-rooted vines persevered. They now lay claim to 24.3 incredibly rare acres of pre-phylloxera vineyards that, while experiencing diminished productivity, are still generating “some of the finest wines of their entire career”. Beyond this atypical haul of fruit, Bethel Heights continues to be family-owned and boasts an inspirational number of sustainability initiatives. They’ve eradicated herbicide use, soil tilling, and synthetic inputs while also transitioning to solar panels for energy and lowered carbon-intensive packaging.
Winemaker Ben Casteel, Co-Owner, President and GM Pat Dudley, and Co-Owner and Vineyard Manager Ted Casteel
Bethel Heights produces 16 different bottlings, but today we’re enthralled with their singular, estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Hailing from those rare, phylloxera-free, old vines, each of these bottles peers into history unlike anything else in the Willamette. The Chardonnay is vibrant and inviting with notes of creamy lime panna cotta, green pear and flint. The Pinot is both brooding and youthful, showing generous red fruits, vanilla, and a hint of earth.
Van Duzer Corridor AVA
Left Coast Estate lives in the Van Duzer Corridor AVA, home to the only big break in Oregon’s Coastal Range. The gap ensures strong afternoon winds which forces fruit to grow thicker skins and, consequently, achieves higher tannin and more pronounced structure. Just 37 miles away from the Pacific Ocean, Left Coast enjoys the cooling benefits of these winds. They were founded in 2003 and initially contracted grapes before becoming entirely estate owned and operated. With 500 acres under their belt, Left Coast prides themselves on quality and affordability— making them one of the most consumer-friendly brands in our book. More than just making approachable wines, Left Coast embraces a holistic philosophy that extends from vineyard ecology to community-focused programs. Like Illahe, the vineyards and winery are LIVE certified as well as Salmon Safe. They’re engaged in a large scale savanna oak restoration project, are solar powered, and have devoted 123 acres of their land to wildlife habitat. Their drive and intentionality make it really easy to get behind this family owned operation.
Texas Sales with Shardul Ghogale, Director of Sales at Left Coast
If you’re new to Left Coast, there are two flagship wines that you simply must try: Left Coast Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir and Left Coast White Pinot Noir. Cali’s Cuvée, named after the owner’s daughter, is versatile and polished with notes of dark cherry, plum, flint, oolong tea, and soy. The white Pinot Noir, an experiment that gained immediate popularity in 2011, is our secret weapon when pairing food and wine. Its unique brightness and bold character are supported by charming notes of kiwi, orange blossom, and lemon peel.
Exploring the Willamette Valley through these four producers—Illahe, Maysara, Bethel Heights, and Left Coast Estate—reveals the incredible diversity and depth of this celebrated wine region. Each winery, rooted in its unique sub-AVA, carries forward a distinct philosophy, from biodynamic farming to sustainability-driven innovation. What unites them is a commitment to crafting wines that honor the land, the climate, and the history of Oregon viticulture. Whether you’re drawn to the pioneering spirit of Illahe, the time-honored traditions of Maysara, the rare old vines of Bethel Heights, or the forward-thinking sustainability of Left Coast, there’s no shortage of reasons to run the gamut of Willamette, dammit.