Witness Tree Vineyard

Witness Tree Vineyard, all 51.5 acres of it, lies in an ideal grape-growing spot in the Eola Hills. Imagine having a southeasterly exposure to take advantage of the morning light and the daytime heat. The vineyard’s westerly ridge means that the evening temperatures get lower than other parts of the valley, preserving those nice acids in the grapes. Essentially, you have the perfect conditions for growing exceptional grapes; owners Dennis and Carolyn Devine knew a good thing when they saw it.

A commanding oak tree living near the vineyard’s ridgeline, the “Witness Tree” was present when the Oregon Trail pioneers settled in the valley. In 1854, the Witness Tree was designated a surveyor’s landmark, a landmark with such a presence that the Devines decided to name their winery after it. Today, visitors to the winery can admire the tree from a distance, with camera in hand.

The Devines takes pride in the fact that 100 percent of their wines are estate produced. Every grape that goes into each bottle gets bud-to-bottle nurturing under the watchful eye of Steven Westby. Here, WineTrail trekkers can sample Witness Tree estate wines in the friendly confines of the intimate tasting room. They can anticipate tasting pinot blanc, viognier, chardonnay, pinot noir, dolcetto, and a dessert wine (of which 6,000 cases are produced annually[does this refer to the dessert wine only or the sum total of Witness Tree wine production?). Several of the wines bear the name of the Devines’ grandchildren, including Witness Tree “Hanson” Pinot Noir, Witness Tree Dolcetto “Remari,” and their dessert wine, Witness Tree “Sweet Signe.”

Now here’s a terrific marketing strategy: You can become a “futures” partner as part of the winery’s “Witness Protection Program.” During Memorial Day weekend, visitors to the winery can sample wines straight from the barrel. If you like a particular wine, you can buy it at a discount — when it is bottled. This ensures that you will receive a future allocation of the wine you like at bargain prices.

A brief walk around the property introduces you to a number of birdhouses residing among the vineyards. In this case, the inhabitants of these bird condos are part of the rodent-control program. You will also spy a number of ideal spots for picnicking, enjoying a glass of wine, or taking pictures. Ever present in the background is the Witness Tree, standing watch just as it did those many years ago, when the pioneers arrived.