What's Been Happening in the Valley?
McCollum Family Vineyard @ Good Company Cheese
Newberg, OR - 8/14/2026
McCollum Heritage 91 @ Good Company Cheese – Newberg, OR
Former Portland Trail Blazer and fan favorite C. J. McCollum and his wife, Elise, are making a genuine splash in the Oregon wine scene. Partnering with longtime Willamette Valley powerhouse Adelsheim Vineyard, McCollum Family Vineyard (McCollum Heritage 91) has been producing well-respected Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from top-tier estate vineyards. Taking the natural next step, CJ and Elise purchased a 318-acre property in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA back in 2021. With young vines now in the ground, they are well on their way to producing their own estate wines.
We recently had a fantastic time attending their tasting event at Good Company Cheese in Newberg. While CJ and Elise were busy mingling with the crowd, we had a lovely chance to chat with Elise while CJ stepped behind the bar to help Ryan keep up with the lively crowd.
McCollum Heritage 91 also hosts visits and tastings on their property by reservation. If you are interested in exploring their wines—which I highly recommend—be sure to check their official website for current tasting options and booking details.
J.K. Carriere Winery Visit
Newberg, OR (7/31/2026)
J.K. Carriere Winery Visit - Newberg, OR (7/31/2026)
I wouldn't have called myself a "wine guy." While I always enjoyed a nice glass of Chardonnay or California Cabernet Sauvignon, I had never experienced Oregon Pinot Noir.
That changed one afternoon while I was tending the garden at our home in Lake Oswego. A story came over the local radio about a young winery just starting out—capturing the excitement, the grueling work of tending the vines, and the unpredictable challenges that nature throws at every growing season. All of that labor and love ends up in a single glass of Oregon Pinot Noir. Inspired by the story, I decided it was time to taste what everyone was talking about.
My first visit was set in a 100-year-old barn, which perfectly captured the rustic charm of a classic Oregon winery. Beyond the setting, one moment truly stood out: tasting a light, acid-forward Pinot Noir layered with beautiful mineral, leather, and cigar box notes—and far more complexity than my untrained palate could even name. That single experience set me on a new path, giving me a deep appreciation for why the world celebrates Oregon Pinot Noir as truly world-class.
I had been wanting to revisit J.K. Carriere at its beautiful new location for years, and last Friday, I finally took the opportunity. I wasn't disappointed in the slightest—in fact, I wondered why I had waited so long!
Every wine reflected the dedication of the entire team. From the elegant 2022 Lucidité Willamette Valley Chardonnay to the 2014 Gemini Chehalem Mountain Pinot Noir Library offering, each pour was exceptional. Winemaker Jim Prosser clearly holds a deep understanding of the land and soil. All on-site vines are organically farmed using no-till, non-irrigated dry farming practices, driven by a simple goal: leaving the land better than he found it.
If you are looking to experience traditional, benchmark Oregon Pinot Noir, I highly recommend a visit to J.K. Carriere. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!