Varnum Vintners

Cyler and Taralyn Varnum run a homestead winery and tasting room in the Eola-Amity Hills, making small-production wines with a clear expression of vineyard and vintage. Their approach is straightforward: they make the wines they love and experiment with grapes and styles that interest them.

The focus is old vine Riesling, Pinot Noir, and sparkling — with a genuine specialty in the last two. Their 375ml bubbles have a following as the perfect single-serving format. Beyond that they’ve branched into vermouth, including lavender and bergamot versions, plus beer and cocktails.

The thing that sets them apart is what they pour for people who aren’t drinking. They produce Oregon’s first non-alcoholic wine, alongside a wide range of other NA options.

Beyond classic tastings and an all-sparkling flight, they offer elevated experiences with the winemaker: barrel tastings, wine blending, and sabering.

The tasting room is casual and comfortable, closer to sitting on someone’s couch than standing at a bar — which is more or less what happens, since Taralyn tends to take guests through the wines from the sofa. Seasonal food pairings are put together with a collaborator named Alice. Teachers taste free and get a purchase discount.