Dawn’s Oregon 150 Challenge: Benton-Lane Winery
Our blogger Dawn recently set out to complete the Oregon 150 Challenge. Follow her along as she explores Oregon and becomes an Official Oregonian!
I was in the town of Monroe, Oregon for a business presentation at the local library, and arrived an hour early. Looking for something to do, I headed south out of town and stumbled upon one of Oregon’s best-kept treasures. Just a mile or two to the south, Benton-Lane Winery prides itself on its organic and earth-friendly approach, and has earned certification under the internationally sanctioned L.I.V.E (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) program, and regionally sanctioned Salmon Safe program. In short, these winery folks take not only pride in the wines that they produce, but care for the land from which the vintages are derived.
I pulled into the driveway and was struck immediately by the surrounding scenery. Entering the tasting room, a foyer to the left directed my attention to a gorgeous and spacious patio outside. What a perfect gathering spot for a wedding, special event or a wine party!
Venturing up to the counter, I was immediately greeted by a friendly wine tasting attendant (Oregon seems to have a lot of these!) and offered tastes of some of the open wines. Oh, delight!
Their 2006 First Class Pinot Noir couldn’t have been more aptly named; it’s first-class and top notch. Wine Spectator gave the wine 92 points and wow, is that ever the truth. I was amazed and immediately bought a bottle.
A few more purchases later, I walked out, marveling at this exquisite family-run winery. To me, as a (almost) native Oregonian, this is what makes the state special. Oregon’s close-knit wine community are so focused on quality and integrity of their product, and Benton-Lane’s connection to the land that they cultivate are true attributes of what makes this such a great state.
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