Laurel Ridge Winery

Order in the court! A word of caution before you park your car in that space reserved for handicapped vehicles. By day, the owner of Laurel Ridge Winery, Susan E. Teppola, is an administrative law judge for the state of Oregon. She is also happens to be one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
In fact, Laurel Ridge Winery gets one of my top 10 “congeniality” awards for Oregon wineries. As you enter the new, state-of-the-art winery, staff members make you feel welcome in a special way.

Perhaps because they offer a full portfolio of wines, including white blends, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, gewürztraminer, riesling, pinot noir, and a unique pinot port, they have the confidence to ask you, “What would you like to try?” Their friendliness may also have something to do with the pleasing appointment of the tasting room itself — it has a spacious design and plenty of windows that provide a spectacular view of their Finn Hill Vineyard and the surrounding hills of the Chehalem Valley. Here, visitors can have fun and not be intimated to ask questions like, “Where do you grow your grapes?” While tasting the wine, you may notice your hand being licked by one of the two winery dogs, Bailey or Kaiser. They’re just part of the charm of Laurel Ridge Winery.

However, I suspect the pooches’ demeanor is a reflection of their human, Susan, whose attitude seems to radiate from the top down to her staff. She’s been a part of the Oregon wine scene for many years, co-owning and managing a winery in Washington County before moving south to the Finn Hill Vineyard with her late husband, David Teppola. I suspect those experiences, coupled with an appreciation for the finer things in life (like good wine), make her a good listener and attentive to visitors’ needs.

By the way, if you are in need of a special place to get married, Laurel Ridge Winery fits the bill. Beautiful grounds, lovely views, plenty of parking, and generous space to change clothes make this a perfect spot for getting hitched. In addition to its regular still wines, Laurel Ridge Winery uses the methode champenoise process for producing premium sparkling wine that pairs perfectly with white lace and promises. Now, to find a judge to do the honors….