King Estate Winery

When you approach King Estate Winery from the Territorial Road entrance, one word comes to mind — majestic. It’s usually a word reserved for French chateaus or Renaissance Tuscan villas. The drive through the 1,033-acre certified organic estate to the top of the hill, where the King Estate Winery sits, has a quietening effect on passengers, with the exception of their occasional “oohs” and “ahs.” Once you’ve parked the car and taken a gander, the panoramic view of the Lorane Valley below is nothing short of spectacular. Majestic is the word.

King Estate Winery is the dream of Ed King III and his father, Ed King Jr. Beginning in the early 1990s, Ed III began acquiring vineyards east of Eugene. However, the purchase of the Lorane Valley estate, where the present-day winery sits, is the crown jewel of the King Estate Winery properties. Over the years, a who’s who of well-known industry pros have worked or consulted with the Kings to create one of Oregon’s top wine producers.

Inside the lavish visitor’s center, guests typically make a beeline to the wine bar, where King Estate Winery’s pinot noir and pinot gris await. Before indulging your taste buds, however, you first will encounter the professionally trained staff. Indeed, they act more like concierges to your palate then simply wine-pouring zombies. Pourers walk you through the domaine-designated wines derived exclusively from the 465-acre King Estate vineyard, as well as the winery’s Signature series, reflecting wines from top contracted vineyards in the Willamette Valley. You will understand why King Estate Winery has received top accolades and distinguished awards under the direction of its chief winemaker, John Albin.

However, wine always seeks pairing with wonderful food, and if the smells wafting from the winery’s restaurant don’t set your mouth awatering, the menu will. Open seven days a week (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), the King Estate restaurant caters to both lunch- and dinner-time appetites. Get ready for such delights as BLT Pizzette or King Estate Seafood Sausage to satisfy lunchtime yearnings. For dinner, the menu will dazzle with such entrées as soy-glazed mahi mahi and (my favorite) Knee Deep Filet of Beef Tenderloin. Whatever meal you choose, many ingredients come right from the certified organic gardens and orchards of King Estate Winery. By the way, if you saved room for dessert, try the vanilla bean crème brûlée. You’ll probably agree with me that it is truly majestic.