Airlie Winery

There are many great reasons to pack a picnic and head to Airlie Winery in rural Monmouth. Here’s just one: Airlie Winery achieved the title of “Value Brand of the Year” from Wine & Spirits magazine in 2006. Its prices are in the low teens for most whites, and even its Vintner’s Blend Pinot Noir sells for a reasonable $26. Visitors to Airlie Winery would be wise to bring a cooler for all those bottles they’ll be purchasing.

As they approach the winery, first-time visitors see the Airlie logo with its hot air balloon theme on the entrance sign. At this point you are forgiven for stopping to snap pictures. The setting itself is spectacular, with a small lake forming a bowl-like amphitheater for the vineyards and hilltop winery. There’s a formal picnic area situated by the lake, where visitors can soak in the view and contemplate whether or not the lake has trout.

Owner Mary E. Olson is the creator of this idyllic space and manager of the Dunn Forest Vineyard estate. Her philosophy is to make affordable wines that are enjoyable when purchased. They don’t need to lie in the cellar collecting dust for years; they’re ready for grilled salmon or savory chicken that evening. With Elizabeth Clark as its winemaker, Airlie Winery produces as many as 8,000 cases of wine, which are sold throughout the United States. Its portfolio includes pinot noir, pinot gris, Gewürztraminer, Maréchal Foch, chardonnay, Müller-Thurgau and a white blend with the name “7.” At only $12 a bottle, this blend of seven Willamette Valley white grape varieties flies out the door. Achieving a silver medal at the 2007 Oregon Wine Competition, Airlie’s 7 wine is described by Airlie as being “like a gathering of great friends. Bring them together, let their best qualities shine and celebrate the mix.” I love that.

As I left the friendly tasting room carting my newly purchased bottle of Dunn Forest Pinot Noir, I made sure to step over the resident Irish setters sleeping outside. I took in the fabulous view: People were drinking wine on the outside patio, exchanging the usual “where are you from?” pleasantries. The sky was blue and devoid of clouds. I spied Airlie’s balloon logo and, wouldn’t you know, the song “Up, Up and Away” by the 5th Dimension began to play in my head.