Oak Knoll Winery

Oak Knoll Winery
LocationHillsboro, Oregon, United States
AppellationWillamette Valley AVA
Other labelsEruption
Frambrosia
Twilight Blush
Founded1970; 55 years ago (1970)
Key peopleGreg Lint, former president
Jeff Herinckx, wine maker
Kim Kolb, director of operations
VarietalsPinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Niagara, Riesling
Distributionnational
TastingOpen to public
Websitewww.oakknollwinery.com

Oak Knoll Winery is a privately held winery located in the Tualatin Valley near Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Established in 1970, it is the oldest winery in Washington County,[1] and produces Pinot noir, Pinot gris, and Chardonnay. The winery also known for producing Frambosia, a red raspberry wine.[2]

Oak Knoll does not have its own vineyards, instead purchasing grapes from area Willamette Valley grape producers.[3]

History

The winery was established in 1970 by Marjorie and Ron Vuylsteke south of Hillsboro on what was formerly a dairy farm.[4][5] The couple first started making wine in their garage, after they had a bumper crop of blackberries.[4] At the time, Ron was an electrical engineer.[4] As they became more successful in making wine, they started their business with financial backing from a silent partner.[4]

It was the first winery in Washington County.[1][3] In its early years, the winery used repurposed Coca-Cola drums for storing the wine during the fermentation process.[5] The first batch consisted of 4,000 gallons of blackberry fruit wine. The winery's first Pinot noir was produced in 1973.[3] Chardonnay and Riesling were introduced in 1975 and Pinot gris was first produced in 1990.[3]

Oak Knoll was the first winery in Washington County to open a tasting room.[5] By 1986, the winery was the second-largest by volume sold in Oregon,[6] but slipped to third by 1988.[7] The Washington Post named the winery's Pinot noir some of the best Pinot noir from the United States in 1986.[8] Oak Knoll produced other fruit wines, such as loganberry, and in 1998, its Oak Knoll raspberry "Frambrosia" was named one of the world's best dessert wines in USA Today.[9][10] In 2005, the Vuylstekes sold part of the winery to their sons Tom and John.[11] In 2006, the winery was the largest in Washington County with 30,000 cases produced each year.[12]

Business

Winery and tasting room

Oak Knoll uses grapes from within the Willamette Valley AVA to produce its wines. The winery is a family-run enterprise with Greg Lint serving as president until his death in September 2022.[13] As of 2007, it had annual revenues of $7.5 million, selling varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Niagara, and Pinot gris under its own label as well as under the Twilight Blush, Eruption, and Frambrosia labels.[13] The winery is the official wine sponsor of the Portland Rose Festival.[14][15]

Accolades

  • Oak Knoll's wine has been served at the White House[16]
  • 1989 Oregon State Fair: Two gold medals and four bronze medals[17]
  • 1990 Pacific Northwest Wine & Food Festival: Silver medal for its 1988 Chardonnay[18]
  • 1991 San Diego National Wine Competition: Gold medal for its 1988 Pinot noir[19]
  • 1998 Oregon State Fair: One silver and two bronze medals[20]
  • 2001 Oak Knoll Winery ranked 10th among the Top 25 Oregon wineries by volume[21]
  • 2003 Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition: Ninth place for its 2001 Pinot Gris[22]
  • 2006 The Dallas Morning News Wine Competition: Two bronze medals[23]
  • 2007 Pacific Rim Wine Competition: White wine category, winner for its sweet Niagara grape wine[24]

References

  1. ^ a b Savage, Maggie; Wootton, Sharon (September 26, 2010). "World of wonder awaits west of Portland". The Olympian. p. C3. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Hinkle, Richard Paul (December 2007). "Not forbidden fruit: Cherry, berry, even rhubarb wines are money-makers across the country". Wines & Vines. Vol. 88, no. 12. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  3. ^ a b c d Our story. Oak Knoll Winery, accessed October 20, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c d Ulrich, Roberta (February 7, 1973). "Winemaking Family Affair For Hillsboro Clan". Corvallis Gazette-Times. p. 9. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c McNichol, Bethanye. "A Berry Good Start to Wine. The Oregonian, December 14, 2000.
  6. ^ Christ, Janet. "Oregon Growers Expect Bumper Crop of Wine Grapes. The Oregonian, September 17, 1987.
  7. ^ Biggest Wineries. The Oregonian, October 2, 1988.
  8. ^ Conaway, James. "The Global Reach of Pinot noir". The Washington Post, September 7, 1986.
  9. ^ Sloan, Eugene and Donna L. Williams. "Taste Tickles: Olallieberry, Garlic, Mead". USA TODAY, August 31, 1990.
  10. ^ Witherell, Layne V. "Oregon Winery Uses Cool Climate to Its Advantage". Richmond Times Dispatch, July 15, 1998.
  11. ^ Leeper, Kate. "Business Briefs: Hillsboro". The Oregonian, April 21, 2006.
  12. ^ Mandel, Michelle. "Sweet Sip of Cuccess"[sic]. The Oregonian, May 4, 2006.
  13. ^ a b Oak Knoll Winery. Portland Business Journal, accessed October 20, 2007.
  14. ^ "Portland Rose Festival Sponsors". Portland Rose Festival. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  15. ^ "Oak Knoll sponsors 2009 Rose Festival". The Hillsboro Argus. May 5, 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2009.
  16. ^ Sherrill, Bob. Time's Right for Sampling Washington County. The Oregonian, July 18, 2002.
  17. ^ Foodday: Veritas, Wasson Bros. Take Top Honors: Nine Gold Medals Awarded During State Fair Wine Judging. The Oregonian, August 15, 1989.
  18. ^ Stockley, Tom. Small wineries win top awards. The Seattle Times. August 13, 1990.
  19. ^ Stockley, Tom. Northwest wines fare well during California judging. The Seattle Times, May 15, 1991.
  20. ^ Duff, Dan. Wine Notes: Amity, King Estate wines take top prizes. The Oregonian, September 1, 1998.
  21. ^ "Top 25 Oregon wineries. (Top 25 book)". Business Journal–Portland. December 2001. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Gale OneFile.
  22. ^ Schultz, John W. Ultimate Oyster Wine Version 2003. Archived 2007-09-17 at the Wayback Machine WineSquire.com, accessed October 20, 2007.
  23. ^ 2006 Awards. Archived 2007-02-05 at the Wayback Machine The Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, accessed October 20, 2007.
  24. ^ Lipson, Larry. Bottles that’ll put you in the red. The Daily News of Los Angeles, May 15, 2007.

45°27′44″N 122°59′01″W / 45.462087°N 122.983575°W / 45.462087; -122.983575