Oak Knoll first achieved notoriety for Pinot Noir when the 1980 Vintage-Select bottling won Best of Show and the Governor’s Trophy at the 1983 Oregon State Fair wine competition. One of the judges at that event was famed California winemaker and consultant Andre Tschelistcheff. When he learned who made the Best of Show wine, he phoned Ron Vuylsteke and told him: I have spent the past fifty years of my life searching for the world’s finest Pinot Noirs, and yours is among the greatest I have ever tasted.”
Oak Knoll Winery, being the fourth oldest winery in the state of Oregon, is built on the site of a dairy farm and incorporates some historic structures dating back to 1917. This former dairy is located in the pastoral farmlands of Washington County, eighteen miles west of Portland, Oregon, in an agriculturally zoned and protected area. The name Oak Knoll refers to a hillside of oak trees located directly across from the winery’s main entrance. Three brick grain silos still stand on the property, and the main wine cellar was once a milking parlor.
Winemaker, Jeff Herinckx (a cousin to the Vuylsteke family) took the reins in 2001 after working at the winery for 17 years. During his tenure, he spent several years learning the craft from Ron Sr. and then served as the Assistant Winemaker. Now, Winemaker Jeff has been making Oak Knoll wine for 39 years. He consistently produces award-winning wines.
Oak Knoll Winery has an amazing staff that has been together for many years. Every year, new faces are added to expand our team. We hope you will get to know the team when you stop in.
