Pioneer Hopyard Vineyard

What’s this, a tasting room within a jewelry store? Yep, and that store is Coleman Jewelers & Wine Shop in downtown Corvallis. For $1 per taste, visitors can sample wine and pick up a diamond ring. Whether it’s pinot noir, pinot gris, or chardonnay, WineTrail trekkers can taste “the big three” wines from the Willamette Valley inside this historic store. WineTrail note: As this establishment’s name indicates, wine is also available for purchase. It offers a wide array of Northwest and California wines to choose from for those patrons rounding out their picnic or taking a bottle of wine home for dinner.

Store owner John Coleman is also the proprietor of the Pioneer Hopyard Vineyard, where these cool-climate grapes mentioned above grow. Named for the fact that the vineyard is on a former hop farm, the grapes are custom-crushed and bottled at the Eola Hills Wine Cellars by winemaker Steve Anderson. This is Steve’s description of the Pioneer Hopyard Vineyard’s 2003 chardonnay: “This chardonnay, produced from hand-selected grapes grown on that same soil give this varietal excellent character, complexity, and flavors. This delicate, fruity chardonnay boasts soft oak overtones with hints of citrus, honeydew, and pineapple. Non-chardonnay fans have remarked on the ‘buttery, creamy texture.’” Anderson goes on to recommend an unusual movie-and-wine pairing, saying, “Due to its ‘buttery, creamy texture,’ [this chardonnay] is a great companion to a feel-good movie, replacing popcorn.”

John Coleman lets the wine do the talking for him; he’s rather introverted (or perhaps just focused on the jewelry side of the coin). However, his staff is eager to please and to answer questions while pouring Pioneer Hopyard Vineyard wines.

Directions: From Portland take I-5 south to exit 234A and go left (southwest) onto SR-99E [Pacific Blvd SE] for 1 mile. Bear right (west) onto US-20 [Albany-Corvallis Hwy] for 11 miles. Turn right (west) onto SW Madison Ave. and arrive at 255 SW Madison Ave.

Heading north on I-5 from Eugene take exit 228 toward OR-34/Lebanon/Corvallis. Go 10.1 miles on SR-34 [Corvallis-Lebanon Hwy] and turn left (south) onto US-20 [NW 2nd St.]. Turn right (west) onto SW Madison Ave and arrive at Coleman Jewelers & Wine Shop.

Addresses

• Benton County WineTrail

  Tasting Room

  255 SW Madison Avenue, Coleman Jewelers & Wine Shop, Corvallis, OR 97333
  Hours: 4–6 Friday; 1–4:30 Saturday; Sunday through Thursday by appointment