Participating wine producers include Carlton Hill Vineyard, Chris James Cellars, EIEIO & Company, J.L. Kiff Vineyard, and Résonance Wines

Carlton, OR — Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 mark the first of two passport weekends to the West Side Wine Trail, a collection of five highly acclaimed wine destinations in western Carlton. The participating wineries include Carlton Hill Vineyard, Chris James Cellars, EIEIO, J.L. Kiff Vineyard, and Résonance. Guests purchase a passport for $50 ($90 for a couple) and gain entrance to all five wineries on every passport weekend, along with special bonus gifts including club pricing on purchases.

“Résonance is the newest neighbor on this side of Carlton. We’re so new, in fact, that our tasting room isn’t even officially open yet,” says Emily Bachand, Director of Consumer Sales and Marketing at Résonance Vineyard, which was purchased by France’s Maison Louis Jadot in 2013. “The West Side Wine Trail is one way we can show our support for the collaborative and welcoming spirit of the Oregon wine community.”

In addition to being the first to see the new Résonance tasting room, passport holders visiting the West Side Wine Trail will gain access to other exclusive wine producers that don’t offer public tastings, or that have limited hours, including Carlton Hill Vineyard, EIEIO & Company, and J.L. Kiff Vineyard.

The next West Side Wine Trail weekend is July 13 and 14.

Visitors who collect stamps from each of the five location on the trail will be invited to attend an exclusive western-themed party on September 7.

West Side Wine Trail winemakers grow and produce more than Pinot Noir. Visitors will be able to taste a range of wines including Rosé, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

“There are so many delicious places to eat, sip, and shop in downtown Carlton that our community gets a lot of visitors,” says Chris Barnes, who owns Chris James Cellars with his wife, Beth. “But people from out-of-town may not find it easy to venture out of their familiar spots and try new places. Each of us [winemakers] has a beautiful piece of paradise. We just want more people to have a taste of what’s just a little west of town.”

A portion of proceeds from the passport sales will support the McMinnville chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Visitors may purchase their passports at any of the West Side Wine Trail locations. For more information, visit: http://www.jlkiffvineyard.com/westside-wine-trail/

About Carlton Hill Vineyard

Founded by David Polite in 1999, Carlton Hill Vineyard produces estate grown Pinot Noir, Rosé of Pinot Noir, and Blanc de Noir sparkling wine. The 11-acre vineyard is certified sustainable through the LIVE program. Tastings are by appointment only and take place in the picturesque 1910 barn. Favoring a low-input winemaking philosophy that is vintage-driven, David is still trying to figure out whether his wines are “natural” or not.

Address: 11511 NW Cummins Road, Carlton

Website: https://www.carltonhillwines.com

About Chris James Cellars

Chris James Cellars is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery that has been producing unique and interesting whites, reds, and sparkling wines since 2015. Tasting room hours are Friday through Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm February through November.

Address: 12000 NW Old Wagon Road, Carlton

Website: http://www.chrisjamescellars.com/

About EIEIO & Company

Since 2003, Jay McDonald has been releasing wines under the name EIEO & Company. From a diversity of vineyard locations throughout the Willamette Valley—all with an emphasis on soil—EIEIO produces delicious, well-reviewed wines, including Pinot Noir, Rosé, Chardonnay, and the popular Swine Wine. Tastings are by appointment only.

Address: 10100 Meadow Lake Rd, Carlton

Website: https://onhisfarm.com/dev/

About J.L. Kiff Vineyard

Joel and Laurie (the ‘J’ and the ‘L’) Kiff have been farming and producing Pinot Noir (and more) from their 9-acre vineyard near McMinnville since 2010. Joel claims to know all 9000 of his vines personally. Public tasting hours are Saturdays from noon to 5 pm from June through September.

Address: 13546 NW Willis Road, McMinnville

Website: http://www.jlkiffvineyard.com/

About Résonance Wines

Maison Louis Jadot established its North American footprint with the purchase of the well-established Résonance Vineyard in 2013. The venture is led by Thibault Gagey, whose family has operated Maison Louis Jadot since 1962, and Jacques Lardière, who retired after 42 years as its lead winemaker. With the same meaning in English and French, Résonance evokes many great things to come. The new tasting room will open in June 2019.

Address: 12050 Meadow Lake Rd, Carlton

Website: https://resonancewines.com/