North Williamette Valley - Carlton-Yamhill District - established 2005

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WillaKenzie Estate

The Yamhill Carlton District AVA, as described by Ken Wright in his original petition to the then BATF (now TTB), is a “south-facing bowl containing a series of horseshow-shaped eroded hills” located in the Northern Willamette Valley. This sub-appellation of the broader Willamette Valley AVA surrounds the towns of Yamhill and Carlton and straddles the Yamhill and Washington County borders.

Like the Dundee Hills area of the Willamette Valley, the soil here is a crucial factor in the style of wines made in the region. The AVA’s ancient sedimentary rock imparts aromas and flavors such as coffee, cocoa, anis, cedar and tobacco into the wines made from grapes grown in the region.

As with other Willamette Valley AVAs, only those vineyards falling within defined elevations (in this case between 200 and 1,000 feet) are permitted to use the AVA designation. This trend amongst the new Willamette Valley sub-appellations, such as the Yamhill Carlton District, only reaffirms Oregon as the leader of ‘terroir’ consciousness in North America.

Given the orientation of vineyards and the unique soil conditions found in the AVA, the Yamhill Carlton District is poised to be a leading producer of a distinctive and lush style of Oregon Pinot Noir for years to come.

Carlton is a small town just north and west of McMinnville, south of Dundee on 99West. It is home to Ken Wright Cellars, the Carlton Winemakers Studio, Cuneo Cellars. On the outskirts of Carlton are several other wineries, as noted on the map below.

Wilson Carl founded Carlton in 1899. Its name is a conjunction of Carl's town, a stop on the railroad. It was incorporated in 1899, and has a population of about 2000 people.

Gaston is at the far northwest of the North Willamette Wine Region- wineries are dotted from Gaston down through the town of Yamhill.

Yamhill was named for the Yamhill Indians and the Yamhill River. It was incorporated in 1891, and has a population of a little over 900 people.

The drive out to Gaston from Portland is quite scenic, and Route 47 south to Yamhill has spectacular views and winds among countryside and farms. Willakenzie Winery has a beautiful tasting room deep down a "road less traveled".

Appellation Maps

Gaston Area

Gaston-Yamhill Area