- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Todd M. said: "There are a lot of reviews from unknown Yeeps on here, so I thought I would take the time to write up a review that had some value, as most Yeeps don't put any value in reviews written by "orange heads" and "501's- People with no pics…" read more »
2 reviews for A Blooming Hill Vineyard and Winery
2 reviews in English
-
Review from Christine D.
Portland, OR
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
After our Rachel's burgers experience, I had another "GroupOn" of sorts it was actually a local coupon you bought for $20 and received $40 in product and since our first coupon of the day went well we decided to try this place out.
This is well off the beaten path but well signed with those helpful blue signs so we decided to cruise (as much as you can in a 72 Chev pickup--long story but a fun one) up the the winery.
The tasty room is actually in the basement of the owner's home. We were greet by two "wine dogs" they are big dogs but very friendly.
There were many wines to taste and we each chose five to taste. There were about 11 or 12 to choose from.
A few whites, a Rose' or two and several reds. The pinot noir has won an award or two and was quite tasty. Our coupon entitled us to two free tastings, a bottle of the pinot noir and two glasses. We bought a Rose and a white wine. It's summer time, well a hot spring at least, and it's time to bust out the refreshing white wines.
The wines are tasty and fairly inexpensive. The view is beautiful and a nice view of the mountains, Mount Hood right out the back of the house and directly to your left as you look east is Mount St Helens. On this day the view was quite clear and beautiful.
Jim and Holly Witte are newcomers to the wine industry but so far so good. Jim has stories to tell he spend twenty years or so in Hollywood working in the television industry.
I'll definitely come back and check this place out. Friendly folks and tasty wine.
Note: It might be a challenge to traverse to the tasting room if you have mobility issues, gravel driveway and a stone path lead downhill to the tasting room.Listed in: My Favorite Wineries
Comment from Holly W. of A Blooming Hill Vineyard and Winery 5/22/2012
Thanks! We are handicap accessible so let us know if you… More » -
Review from Rebecca W.
Hillsboro, OR
7/17/2011 2 photos
I love it when we find little hidden treasures in our area! A Blooming Hill Vineyard and winery is just that. Nestled in the rolling hills south of Cornelius, A Blooming Hill Vineyard and Winery is seemingly a little known local wine maker that is gaining recognition, and deservingly so.
The winery tasting area seems to be run out of the finished basement of the vineyard owner's home. It is a small operation, quaint, and friendly; nothing fancy. The owners, a husband and wife team (Holly and Jim), were on grounds during our visit, serving the wine and talking with us about the awards their wine had received. The couple was extremely friendly and seemed to enjoy talking about their wine with us. I would have enjoyed talking with them more if it were not for the other guest they needed to assist.
I didn't have high expectations for the wine...after all, I had never even heard of the vineyard. However, after just one sip of my husband's Pinot Noir I knew these two knew how to make a good wine! So I had a glass of their Pinot Noir 2009. Oh baby, that was good! I was dying for another glass, and that like never happens! I spoke to Holly and Jim about my love for the 2009 Pinot Noir and Jim then told me about the awards they had received for their 2008 Pinot Noir. From what I can recall, there was a local competition with entries from around the world of different Pinot Noirs...over 300 entries. From that, there were about 50 top wines that were chosen for judging. A Blooming Hills was selected and received a silver medal. So, of course, I wanted to try that one! It was good for sure. Bold, rich; a great Pinot Noir. I preferred the 2009 over it as I am a light weight and the 09 was a little less bold, but excellent non-the-less! It has yet to be entered into completion! I wish them the best; that 09 is worth a gold medal in my book!
Here is what their website says about the 2008 Pinot: - "Noir has a superbly fruit forward flavor and gorgeous garnet color, a smooth sensation and long finish. Silver Award - Northwest Wine Summit; Bronze - Northwest Food & Wine Festival; Outstanding - Oregon Wine Awards; Silver - 9th Annual Pinot Shootout, Sebastopol, CA"
Anyway, the grounds were beautiful! The indoor wine tasting area was nice; like I said, nothing fancy, but nice and appropriate for the rural setting. I wish we had a reason to return and relax their more often! The wine was priced very reasonably; average was about $15-$20 for a bottle. Holly told me they sell their wine at the Tuesday Market in Hillsboro as well as Hanks Market. Guess I'll be heading their soon to buy me some wine!!
Specialties
Wine! We are a boutique winery in the Willamette Valley with award winning wines. Our Tasting Room is open weekends from noon - 5 PM and weekdays, just give us a call. 503-992-1196. www.abloominghillvineyard.com
Wine Dogs, Gemini and Trouble, will greet you at your car!
History
Established in 2000
Jim planted the vineyard in 2000 and released is first commercial wine in 2008. Holly cleverly married him in 2006 and we opened the Tasting Room in 2010. We started with two wines and now have seven to pour plus six new ones burbling away after the 2011 harvest. We will top out at 2000 cases so Jim can continue to pay personal attention to every vine, every bunch and each of the wonderful wines he produces.
We have Wine Dogs, beautiful views - including Mt. Hood! - and do events we call Mingles, wine dinners, team office gatherings and weddings. Most of all, we love what we do and meeting all of the wonderful people who come to our Tasting Room.
Meet the Business Owner: Jim W.
Jim got his first taste of wine from his grandfather in Michigan's fruit country where Jim spent a lot of time as a kid. It was almost a right of passge - grampa would invite the kids into the fruit and wine cellar to taste his handcrafted wine. Jim developed a love for farming and for the beauty and bounty the land produces. He spent 40 years of his career in television production planning to plant a vineyard upon retirement and did just that! Now he gets to do what he wants every single day. Somedays he says he should take a real job so he can work less but, of course, he's kidding. He loves the long hours and hard work and is so humbled by how the land yields to him. And he is understandably proud of his wines, most of which have won awards - especially the 2008 Pinot noir!
