By Lauren Jade Hill
With as many as 18 distinct wine regions, Oregon wine country is home to an exceptional diversity of grape varietals, making it a particularly enticing destination to wine connoisseurs from all corners of the globe. Here, the cooler climate grapes – Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay – of the Willamette Valley contrast with Southern Oregon’s warmer climate varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Viognier. Wineries are dotted throughout each of these regions, with many producing award-winning wines from the fruits of the land. But for those who aren’t satisfied to simply pass through, occasional opportunities arise to make a patch of this land their home. We take a look at the extraordinary wine estates that are available to buy right now in this verdant region.
FEATURED ESTATES
Troon Vineyard & Winery, Oregon
Situated within the Applegate Valley AVA of Southern Oregon – an area of the wine territory that benefits from warmer and drier conditions than most of the state – Troon Vineyard is surrounded by mountains and forest, with rivers carving a path through them. The vineyard was established in 1972 by the wine pioneer Dick Troon, and it has since become renowned among wine experts for its unique award winning labels; one of the most coveted wines here is the 2002 Biscuit Fire Cabernet Reserve, which took on its smoky flavor after the 2002 Biscuit Fire left a veil of smoke over the vines.
Sprawled across 32 acres, the winery produces 10,000-12,000 cases of wine each year, with organic farming methods and sustainability at the forefront of its wine-making philosophy. And it’s in the vineyard’s French chateaux-inspired tasting room that visitors get to sample what’s produced here, with panoramic views that are afforded by its hillside location. All of this, along with the estate’s idyllic wine-makers’ cottage, is included in the sale.
$7.8 million, Christie’s International Real Estate
Red Lily Vineyards, Oregon
Also in the Applegate Valley, the 250-acre riverfront estate, Red Lily Vineyards, stands out for its remarkably scenic setting amid mountains, rolling vineyards and meadows. The boutique winery has made a name for itself for producing award-winning wines with Spanish grape varieties; across Red Lily’s two vineyards – the Bean Patch and Stargazer Vineyard – it’s the Tempranillo, Verdejo, Grenache and Graciano grape varieties that the focus falls on.
The tasting room here is designed to complement the historic barn it’s connected to, with vaulted log-beam ceilings, a fireplace made of stacked river rocks, and tall windows to let the light stream in. A covered patio lies alongside this tasting room, mirroring the interior with its design. And the original barn has been transformed into an additional space for guests, with its own unique design features. The estate’s main residence, meanwhile, is a four-bedroom American cedar shingle-style home that was remodeled in 2012, with the addition of a hay barn making the property ideal for horse owners, too. Find out more about the property by going over to www.christiesrealestate.com.
$10 million, Christie’s International Real Estate