Family, Patience, and Pinot at Winter’s Hill in the Dundee Hills

By Published On: October 26, 2025
Winters Hill view


Credit: Winter’s Hill Estate

The road to Winter’s Hill Estate twists through oak and vine into Oregon’s Dundee Hills, where red volcanic soil and cool coastal breezes set the pace of life. For three generations, the Gladhart family has worked this land not for fame, but to let its voice come through in the glass.

Created in 2004, the Dundee Hills AVA helped define Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Its 12,500 acres of iron-rich Jory soils rise from 200 to more than 1,000 feet, draining fast and giving the wines their signature clarity and cherry brightness. Sheltered by the Coast Range and cooled by Pacific air from the Van Duzer corridor, it’s near-perfect Pinot country.

The story starts in 1929, when John and Lena Winter emigrated from Germany. In 1961, they bought farmland in Oregon’s young wine frontier. Their grandson, Russell Gladhart—raised in Michigan, Oregon vintner since 1990—has carried that vision forward. “You learn the vineyard by living with it,” he says. “Barrels exist to support the fruit, not mask it.” Russell and his wife, Delphine, a native of Lyon, blend Oregon roots with French finesse. Her sensibility favors precision and balance; his patience keeps the process grounded. Together, they turn hillside fruit into honest, expressive wines. The estate’s original 1990 plantings spread across 550 to 750 feet, each block showing a slightly different character. All fruit comes from estate vines. Over the years, Russell has learned to focus on observation, not control. Weather, soil, and time have the final say. His studies in Burgundy only reinforced that belief—each vineyard block deserves its own voice.
Winters Hill in snow


Credit: Winter’s Hill Estate

Winter’s Hill’s Pinot Noir—planted to Pommard, Wädenswil, 114, and 115 clones—shows why the Dundee Hills shines: bright fruit, refined structure, lasting freshness. Delphine’s dry Rosé, introduced in the early 2000s when sugary pinks dominated, struck a new chord and remains a fan favorite.

Stewardship runs deep here. The Gladharts’ pollinator habitats have been recognized by the Oregon Bee Project for their conservation efforts. The balance between conservation and commerce threads through everything they do. Visitors who brave the gravel road find a tasting room that feels more like a friend’s porch than a winery. Russell often pours himself, glass in hand, with a view of vines rolling toward the distant Coast Range. The breeze through the oaks and the scent of red soil remind you that family farming still defines this corner of Oregon. Winter’s Hill also turns hospitality into community. They feature local products like Oregon hazelnuts and guide guests toward neighboring farms and restaurants, keeping the Willamette’s small-business circle alive. Running a family business isn’t simple, but Russell leans on gratitude and grit. “You keep learning,” he says. “Every year, the vineyard teaches you something new.” That humility has shaped three generations—grounded in patience, renewed by each harvest.

The wines featured in the Wine Recommendations section were provided by the winery for the purpose of review. The selection and tasting of these wines were independently conducted. No compensation or incentives were provided for inclusion in the story. As always, the top priority is to provide readers with informative reporting.


Wine Recommendations

Watershed Pinot Noir


Credit: Winter’s Hill Estate

2021 Reserve Pinot Noir — Red cherry, cranberry, and baking spice aromas open into raspberry and plum. Polished tannins, lively acidity, and the structure to age gracefully.

2022 Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills — Strawberry, raspberry, and truffle glide over silky tannins. Pure red fruit driven by lift and precision.

Watershed Pinot Noir (Bag) — Strawberry and flowers on the nose, shifting to mushroom and truffle. Earthy, savory, and effortlessly elegant.

2023 “Pearly Everlasting” White Blend — Pear, melon, and honeysuckle aromas meet a crisp apple and stone-fruit palate. Bright, textured, and refreshing.

2022 Reserve Pinot Gris — Apple, pear, and tropical notes while remaining crisp and lightly creamy, balanced from start to finish.

Dundee Hills Chardonnay (Bag) — Lemon zest, pear, and white blossom. Subtle vanilla and a clean mineral finish capture the region’s cool-climate style.

About the Author: Joe Campbell