At Yamhill, head east of Route 47 on Route 240 to find, in a beautiful rural setting, the hillside vineyards of Willakenzie Estate (19143 NE Laughlin Rd., 503/662-3280). The three-level gravity-fed design of the winery (a tradition in Burgundy) allows gentle handling of the wine. Along with several different estate-grown pinot noirs, the tasting room pours a lush pinot gris and a crisp pinot blanc. Don’t miss this place—even though it’s off the main highways, it’s a real treat to visit.

East of Willakenzie in the area known as Ribbon Ridge are a number of mostly small wineries. These back roads, which lie north and west of Newberg, are home to some of Oregon’s finest wineries. Beaux Frères (15155 NE North Valley Rd., 503/537-1137, open only by appointment and on Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekends), an old pig farm that has been transformed into a top-notch winery, is partially owned by Wine Advocate author and publisher Robert Parker (no, he doesn’t rate his own wines).

Patricia Green Cellars (15225 NE North Valley Rd., 503/554-0821, open Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekends, at other times call ahead for an appointment) is another small, very well respected winery specializing in pinot noir and sauvignon blanc.