West Hills Vineyards

Family-run Willamette Valley winery pairing Pinot Noir and a full kitchen with Salem’s historic governor’s farmhouse

Best known for: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Tempranillo

West Hills Vineyards in Salem, Oregon, brings together Willamette Valley wine, a working kitchen, and a piece of state history. Founders Jim and Myrna Gulick and their three daughters—Lisa, Michelle, and Jennifer—are the family behind the winery. Beside the tasting room stands an 1886 farmhouse, the former home of Oregon’s 18th governor, Ike Patterson. The family’s stewardship extends to regenerative vineyard practices, with biochar—charcoal made from cleared woody debris—used as a soil amendment.

Pinot Noir gets several expressions here, including Estate, Holmes Gap, Horsepower, and Mt. Pisgah bottlings. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, rosé, and Tempranillo give visitors room to branch out. Food is more than a cheese-board afterthought: the kitchen serves dishes such as curried artichoke dip, Italian sausage flatbread, and Sicilian beef ragu over smoked mozzarella polenta. Suggested pairings connect individual wines to dishes, including Tempranillo with the ragu.

The tasting room welcomes walk-ins, with afternoon and evening service Wednesday through Sunday that makes West Hills a useful choice for a meal as well as a tasting. For travelers who prefer to leave the driving to someone else, West Hills also runs customizable three-winery tours in Mercedes-Benz vans and classic Chevrolets. Tasting fees at other wineries remain separate from the tour price.