Denison Cellars Wines

Denison Cellars is focused on creating wines of elegance and balance that reflect the unique
characteristics of the vineyards from which the grapes are sourced.

Pinot Noir

Pinot noir is the cornerstone of Denison Cellars. Sourcing from multiple premium vineyard sites, we study each expression with interest.

  • New Release!
    The 2021 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of clones 777 and Pommard from Johnson Ridge, Cassin, and Björnson vineyards. The wine displays deep garnet color, aromas of marionberry, dark cherry, and a hint of pine forest floor. Juicy mouth-filling flavors of blackberry, black cherry, a hint of blueberry follow. This wine features dense mid-palate volume, velvety ripe tannins, and a long seamless finish.
    $32.00 / bottle

  • Fruit for the 2020 Willamette Valley pinot noir was sourced from three different vineyards located in the Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills AVAs. Clones included Pommard and 777. Production levels were low which resulted in a higher percentage of new French oak than we have used in prior years. The resulting wine is deep ruby in color and displays aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, and raspberry. With hints of mocha, mineral and rose petal, the ripe, velvety tannins provide structure for rich, mouth-filling volume that persist into a long, lingering finish. The higher percentage of new oak barrels brings character and hints of smokiness – not to be confused with being affected by the 2020 wildfires - the effects of which we were fortunate to be mostly spared.
    $30.00 / bottle

  • Fruit for the 2019 Björnson Vineyard pinot noir was sourced from Kristjan’s and Kaitlyn’s blocks in their estate vineyard in the Eola Hills. Clones include Pommard and 777; each contributes a unique characteristic to the blend, adding to the overall depth and complexity of the wine. The resulting wine is deep ruby in color and displays aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, and cranberry. With hints of cola and all-spice, the ripe, velvety tannins provide structure for rich, mouth-filling volume. Flavors of dark red fruit persist into a lingering finish.
    92 points - JamesSuckling.com
    $48.00 / bottle

  • The 2018 Kiff Vineyard Pinot Noir is a blend of 667 and Pommard clones. Each contributes unique characteristics; 667 provides mid-palate volume and red fruit flavors, and Pommard adds cranberry, rhubarb, mineral notes, and structure. The resulting wine is garnet in color; It has rich mid-palate volume, velvety tannins, and a long, seamless finish with flavors of ripe raspberry, cranberry and underlying hints of mulled spices.
    92 points - purely domestic wine report
    $45.00 / bottle

  • The 2019 Johnson Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir is a blend of 777 and Pommard clones, as well as a mis-labelled clone that has yet to be identified. The resulting wine has dark garnet color, aromas of blackberry, freshly turned earth, and a hint of cola. Mouth-filling flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and a hint of blueberry follow. The wine displays velvety mid-palate volume, wonderful clarity, and a long seamless finish.

    94 points & Editors’ Choice - Wine Enthusiast
    93 Points – Purely Domestic Wine Report
    93 Points – JamesSuckling.com

    Only 75 cases of this extraordinary wine were ever produced.

    $48.00 / bottle

  • Situated between 240 and 320 feet on an east-facing slope in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, Claygate Vineyard features Dupee sedimentary soil. Clones 777 and 115 were used for the 2018 blend; the resulting wine is elegant and complex, with vibrant Bing cherry, cranberry, and hints of spice and mineral. The silky tannins lead into a long, lingering finish.
    93 points - purely domestic wine report
    $60.00 / bottle

Reserve Pinot Noir

Sometimes you make a wine that’s just special - the cream de la creme. At Denison Cellars, that is our Tête de Cuvée.

  • Tête de Cuvée Pinot Noir is only produced when we are able to create a blend that transcends our single-vineyard wines. While the focus of each single-vineyard bottling is to showcase the vintage and vineyard, the goal with Tête de Cuvée is to create the best blend possible. In the 2019, we have included components from Björnson Vineyard (Eola-Amity Hills AVA), Claygate Vineyard (Ribbon Ridge AVA), and Johnson Ridge Vineyard (Eola-Amity Hills AVA). The resulting wine is multi-layered and refined with rich flavors of Italian plum, dark cherry, and ripe raspberry. Hints of cranberry and river rock add complexity to the blend. This wine displays dense mid-palate volume, velvety tannins, and a long lingering finish. All of the fruit spent two days in a cold-soak to extract color. Fermentation was completed in small, one-ton bins and took between 30 and 36 days to complete. French oak barrels were used for aging, 17% of which were new, and the blend was created and bottled in February 2021, after spending 13 months in barrel.
    93 points - purely domestic wine report
    94 points - jamessuckling.com
    Only 50 cases were produced.
    $70.00 / bottle

  • Tête de Cuvée Pinot Noir is only produced when we are able to create a blend that transcends our single-vineyard wines. While the focus of each single-vineyard bottling is to showcase the vintage and vineyard, the goal with Tête de Cuvée is to create the best blend possible. In the 2018, we have included components from Claygate Vineyard (Ribbon Ridge AVA), Noel Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains AVA), and Johnson Ridge Vineyard (Eola-Amity Hills AVA). The resulting wine is multi-layered and refined with rich flavors of Italian plum and ripe blackberry. Hints of mineral, clove, vanilla and spice add complexity to the blend. This wine displays dense mid-palate volume, velvety tannins, and a lingering seamless finish. All of the fruit spent four days in a cold-soak to extract color. Fermentation was completed in small, one-ton bins and took between 28 and 30 days to complete. French oak barrels were used for aging, 7% of which were new, and the blend was created and bottled in May 2020, after spending 13 months in barrel and 6 months in tank.
    95 points - purely domestic wine report
    Only 50 cases were produced.
    $70.00 / bottle

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a new area of discovery for Denison Cellars. We love this subtle white grape and its delicate moods that are drawn out through considerate winemaking.

  • New Release!

    Our Eola Springs Vineyard Chardonnay is produced from L.I.V.E. certified grapes grown in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The vineyard is south facing at an elevation of 370 to 400 feet and is planted on volcanic soil; Van Duzer corridor winds cool the vineyard at night, allowing for slow, even ripening. With flavors of Asian pear and meringue, and a hint of stony minerality, this wine is a delightful compliment to Northwest fare.
    $45.00 / bottle

  • The fruit for our 2020 Chardonnay was gently (to prevent extracting any smoke compounds) whole-cluster pressed into French oak barrels and a stainless steel tank, where primary fermentation occurred over the next 38 days. Forty-seven percent of the wine remained in stainless steel for aging, with no malolactic fermentation occurring; the remaining fifty-three percent went through malolactic fermentation and aging in one neutral French oak barrel, and one third fill French oak barrel. The wine displays flavors and aromas of ripe pear and summer pineapple, and hints of mineral, lemon, and jasmine emerge with time. Bright acidity combined with mid-palate creaminess from lees stirring creates a beautifully balanced wine.
    91 points - purely domestic wine report
    Only 97 cases produced.
    $30.00 / bottle

  • Available Only to Club Members
    The 2018 Cuvée Denise Chardonnay was produced in a style reminiscent of the fine wines made in Burgundy with fruit harvested from Cassin Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The fruit was whole-cluster pressed into French oak barrels (one of which was new) where primary fermentation occurred over the next 6 months. All of the wine completed malolactic fermentation, and the lees were lightly stirred every month during aging to add creaminess to the mid-palate texture. The wine displays flavors and aromas of toasty vanilla, crême brulée and lemongrass. The mid-palate has a creamy texture that leads into a long, lingering finish.
    Only 24 cases produced.
    $50.00 / bottle

Rosé

Our rosé is another fresh expression of Pinot Noir. Light, bright, and delicious, it’s a fun wine to make and an easy wine to drink.

  • New Release!
    The 2022 Johnson Ridge Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir was produced from fruit harvested specifically for rosé, with a focus on ripe skins and flavors. This wine is deep salmon in color, featuring enticing flavors and aromas of Rainier cherry, nectarine, with hints of pomegranate and ripe strawberry. The mouthfeel is rich, and the mid-palate fans out into a long, seamless finish. Enjoy this Rosé lightly chilled with Spring and Summer fare.

    92 cases produced
    $26.00 / bottle

Free local delivery within Yamhill County, Salem, and Portland with any 3+ bottle purchase.