WillaKenzie Estate

Bernard Lacroute purchased a 420-acre cattle farm in January 1991 with the vision of crafting Burgundian-inspired wines from Oregon's Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The first vines went in the ground in 1992, and a gravity-flow winery was completed in 1995 in time for the estate's inaugural vintage. That same year, the 1995 Gamay Noir earned a place at a White House gala. The estate later came under Jackson Family Wines ownership, though it has retained its estate-driven, single-vineyard identity. The name WillaKenzie pays tribute to both the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers and the distinctive sedimentary soils on which the vines grow.

• Estate purchased January 1991 as a cattle farm; vines planted 1992
• Gravity-flow winery built and operational for the 1995 vintage
• 1995 Gamay Noir served at a White House gala
• Now part of the Jackson Family Wines portfolio

WillaKenzie Estate sits at elevations ranging from 302 to 734 feet and is defined by its Willakenzie soil series, a moderately deep, well-drained fine loamy soil derived from colluvium, sandstone, and siltstone of marine sedimentary origin. This is distinct from the volcanic Jory soils found across much of the Dundee Hills, and it gives the wines a different structural character. The Terres Basses block features Hazelair soils. The estate's motto, 'Place Matters,' reflects its Oregon interpretation of the French concept of terroir, and 100 percent estate-grown fruit with biodiversity preservation underpins all production.

• Willakenzie soils are sedimentary in origin, derived from marine sandstone and siltstone
• Elevations range from 302 to 734 feet across the estate
• Terres Basses block sits on the distinct Hazelair soil series
• Estate motto 'Place Matters' encapsulates the terroir-first philosophy

The 105 planted acres are organized into six distinct vineyard neighborhoods: Kiana, Terres Basses, Triple Black Slopes, Emery, Clairière, and Aliette. Two-thirds of the vineyard is dedicated to Pinot Noir, planted predominantly with Dijon clones. WillaKenzie reportedly grows more Pinot Noir clones than any other Oregon producer, with 11 clones in use. Beyond Pinot Noir, the estate grows Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir, and Pinot Meunier. WillaKenzie also owns Jory Hills Vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA, a 95-acre property with 25 acres planted, acquired in 2000.

• Six named vineyard neighborhoods cover 105 planted acres
• 11 Pinot Noir clones in use, primarily Dijon selections
• Gamay Noir and Pinot Meunier are grown alongside the core Pinot varieties
• Jory Hills Vineyard in Dundee Hills AVA adds 25 planted acres to the portfolio

The gravity-flow winery, completed in 1995, allows fruit to be moved with minimal intervention, consistent with the estate's Old World, Burgundian-inspired approach. Production is capped at approximately 20,000 cases with no plans to expand. WillaKenzie was the first winery in Oregon to earn LIVE certification (Low Input Viticulture and Enology), holding certification number 001. All fruit is 100 percent estate-grown, and biodiversity preservation is integrated into vineyard management across the property.

• Gravity-flow winery minimizes mechanical intervention during production
• Production capped at 20,000 cases with no expansion planned
• Oregon's first LIVE-certified winery, holding certification #001
• All wines are 100% estate-grown fruit