Hospitality Awards 2023 | 39 Settled in the peaceful town of Carlton, Oregon, a place known for its exceptional world-class wines, lies the 25 acre vineyard, Chris James Cellars. Planted in 2012, this family owned winery has come to amass immense popularity over the past few years, and is now known as one of the best wineries that Oregon has to offer. Below, we venture into how this once small vineyard has grown into the ever popular, award-winning winery that it is today. Best Family-Owned Winery 2023 - Oregon harvest decisions and winemaking techniques during fermentation, and focus on mouthfeel and silky texture during maturation.”. Only through incredible time, dedication, and tireless research was Chris Barnes able to reach this conclusion, but his efforts have had a magnificent impact on the wines produced by Chris James Cellars. Now, Chris James Cellars is frequented by wine connoisseurs and casual visitors alike. Boasting two tasting rooms, namely the Estate Tasting Room in the hills west of Carlton, and the McMinnville Tasting Room on 3rd Street in McMinnville, Chris James Cellars presents guests with the opportunity to sample a variety of impeccable flavors that truly exemplify the expertise that has gone into the process of crafting them. Each flavor is imbued with Chris’s passion for the art of winemaking – something that guests will no doubt recognize from the very first sip. Few other wineries within Oregon have the extensive selection of award-winning wines, setting Chris James Cellars apart as one of the Willamette Valley’s crowning jewels. Whether visitors are wanting to simply taste the wonderful wines that Chris James Cellars has to offer or are seeking an in-depth tour around the vineyard itself, the Carlton location is an ideal spot to stop to enjoy wine on the patio with beautiful views of the vineyard and coastal range. However, if it’s a more urban endeavour that guests are craving, the McMinnville Tasting Room boasts a people-watching patio that perfectly unites elegant tastes with the historic sights of the town’s main street. Both locations host a wide variety of events throughout the year including Stargazing in the Vineyard, Murder Mystery Parties, Monthly Trivia, and weekly Game Nights. Regardless of location, the knowledgeable staff are fully equipped to whisk visitors away to the world of wine, its history, and how some of the US’s most marvellous beverages came to be. No matter an individual’s palate, there’s something for everyone at Chris James Cellars. Regardless of whether you have a reservation or not, the delightful staff will welcome you with open arms, encouraging a sense of community that no winery within the area has managed to replicate. This is where Chris James Cellars’ family values truly shine – they treat their guests as part of the extended family, and hope to help them make unforgettable memories through an amazing wine tasting experience. Mastery over wine is no easy feat to accomplish. So, for a vineyard that only began producing wine under a decade ago to have coalesced such a broad, tasteful portfolio is simply astonishing. Chris James Cellars is a product of what passion can help one accomplish, and it’s for this reason that the brand has come to earn such a reputable status throughout the years. Now, it stands as an award-winning example of what’s possible, should you truly work hard enough. Sampling wine is always a fun experience, but Chris James Cellars is dedicated to elevating the moment with an impressive array of signature, sultry blends. Contact Details Contact: Bethany Barnes Company: Chris James Cellars Web Address: https://chrisjamescellars.com/ or just over a decade, Chris James Cellars has been presenting the people of Oregon with the chance to experience what can be accomplished with hard work. In 2011, Chris and Beth Barnes purchased 62-acres of land that had been used as a timber farm. Over the next 10 years, they slowly cleared and planted blocks of the vineyard to reach 25 acres with 17 varietals. It wasn’t until 2015 that the ball really got rolling – it was at this time that the winery produced its very first batch of Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Since then, Chris James Cellars dedicated its all to formulating the perfect approach towards winemaking. It now produces 3,000 cases per year of many types of wines from Willamette Valley and Columbia Valley, such as Gewurztraminer, Reisling, Dolcetto, Lagrein, Barbera, Cab Franc, and much more. In terms of how Chris James Cellars ventures into concocting the perfect wines, Chris Barnes, owner, farmer and winemaker shared his intriguing mindset with us. He had this to say – “Our approach to white wines is to emphasize and preserve the varietal aromatics, flavor and acidity. In red wines, we seek to develop intense flavors through F
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==