Just one of the many incredible views at Ghost Hill Cellars.

Deep in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where rolling hills are blanketed with lush vineyards and the air is perfumed with the scent of ripening grapes, lies a winery shrouded in legend and steeped in tradition: Ghost Hill Cellars. This unique vineyard not only produces excellent Pinot Noir but also offers a story as rich and intriguing as its wines.

The name “Ghost Hill” isn’t just a catchy moniker; it carries a spine-tingling tale that has been passed down through generations.

A cross marking where the miner’s horse’s bones were found.

According to local legend, in the late 1800s, a miner traveling through the area struck gold on what is now Ghost Hill Cellars. Tragically, the miner met an untimely end before he could claim his fortune, and it’s said that his restless spirit still roams the hill, guarding his hidden treasure. On misty mornings and moonlit nights, locals have reported eerie sights and sounds, adding an extra layer of mystique to this already enchanting location.

The Bayliss family has looked after their 220-acre piece of land for over a century, when brothers Daniel and Samuel Bayliss purchased the Donation Land Claim for farming and added a dairy operation in the 1920s. In the 1930s, Daniel’s son Samuel and his wife Barbara transitioned it from a dairy farm to a wheat and sheep farm.

The former tasting room at the original farm.

We heard the early family history and the Ghost Hill legend firsthand at the original farmhouse built in 1906 from Mike Bayliss, son of Samuel and Barbara, and his wife Drenda. Mike saw the potential for growing Pinot Noir grapes in the 1970s and likely would have been considered one of the pioneers of Oregon’s now thriving wine scene if not for the fact that his father didn’t share his vision and refused the idea.

The 5th generation: Cameron & Bernadette.

In 1999, Mike and Drenda, along with their son Michael, daughter Bernadette, and son-in-law Cameron Bower, planted vines on their property, marking the fifth generation of their family’s farming legacy. For the first seven years, they focused solely on growing grapes. In 2006, they established Ghost Hill Cellars winery.

Cameron recounted how Mike’s friend, Oregon wine pioneer Ken Wright, influenced their decision to finally plant vines. “The three of us walked the entire farm for three hours. At the end, Ken confirmed the property had the potential for high-quality Pinot Noir and immediately asked how much we wanted for it,” Cameron said. “It’s always been the plan to keep the property in the family, which Ken understood. He then bought the property next to us with Tony Soter.” That property is now Abbott Claim, known for producing some of the best Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley.

The perfect place to enjoy a sip.

The original Bayliss-Bower Vineyard, located in the Yamhill-Carlton District, consists of 16 acres exclusively planted with Pinot Noir, featuring the Pommard, Wadenswil, and Dijon clones 114, 115, and 777. Recently, they planted an additional 8 acres and there’s approximately 120 acres of plantable land in total. Ghost Hill Cellars uses 100% estate-grown fruit for its wines, utilizing about a third of the grapes produced while selling the rest to other wineries.

The Bayliss-Bower vineyard, with its 360-degree views, is part of the Savannah Ridge area, which includes just four vineyards. This area is expected to become a designated AVA in the very near future.

The uniqueness of the area lies in three key factors that contribute to its potential designation as an AVA.

The distinct Willakenzie soil.

Firstly, its soil is exclusively Willakenzie, a marine sedimentary soil known for its excellent drainage and mineral composition. Secondly, the vineyards have a southern-facing aspect, ensuring optimal sunlight exposure throughout the growing season. Lastly, the wind coming off the coastal range moderates temperatures and reduces disease pressure. These elements combine to create ideal conditions for growing premium Pinot Noir grapes.

Walking through the vineyard, one can’t help but feel a sense of connection to the land and its history. The rolling hills, the ancient oak trees, and the gentle breeze all contribute to the serene and almost magical atmosphere. It’s no wonder that the miner’s ghost chose this hill as his eternal home.

Excellent wines representing equally good value.

Taking over the winemaking reins at Ghost Hill Cellars in 2015, Eric Hamacher is celebrated as one of Oregon’s premier winemakers. He follows traditional techniques, utilizing wild yeast fermentation, gravity-powered handling, and minimal intervention. According to Cameron, Eric’s philosophy is clear: “The best wines are still made by resisting the temptation to do something.”

An unusual part of the portfolio is their Pinot Noir Blanc.

With over 40 vintages under his belt from wineries around the globe, Eric founded Hamacher Wines in 1995, solidifying his reputation for uncompromising quality. Eric’s approach is to make sure that each wine reflects depth, balance, and consistency. His expertise seamlessly aligns with the values of Ghost Hill Cellars, ensuring that every bottle captures the essence of the vineyard and its storied past.

This year, Ghost Hill Cellars unveiled its new tasting room, a modern yet cozy space designed to offer visitors an unforgettable wine-tasting experience. The tasting room takes every advantage of its natural surroundings, featuring large windows and roll-up doors that provide stunning views of the vineyard and the distant hills.

Inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, featuring rustic wooden beams, cozy seating, and beautiful black walnut tables.

One of the best views in the valley.

The new tasting room also boasts an outdoor patio, perfect for enjoying wine while taking in the vineyard’s scenic beauty. Unsurprisingly, it has quickly become a popular wedding venue, not only for its stunning views and tasty wine but also for its bride and groom rooms and kitchen, which accommodate all the celebrations and preparations on site.

Ghost Hill Cellars is more than just a winery; it’s a place where history, legend, and passion converge to create something truly special.

Pull up a chair and plan to stay a while…

Unlike corporate-owned wineries, Ghost Hill Cellars remains family-oriented, with long-time members working together to uphold the family legacy. Mike Bayliss has set the tone by leading through example, choosing not to sell the property when he had the chance. This dedication to keeping the winery and land in the family for generations is evident in every aspect of their work.

As you sip a glass of their Pinot Noir, take a moment to appreciate the legacy of the land, the ghostly legend that haunts the hill, and the hard work and dedication of the Bayliss family and their team. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or a curious traveler, Ghost Hill Cellars promises an experience that will linger in your memory, much like the miner’s ghost lingers on the hill.

Tasting Notes

2023 Ghost Hill Cellars Pinot Noir Blanc

2023 Pinot Noir Blanc

Medium yellow/gold in colour with a very slight pink tint. We are instantly struck by how juicy this wine is! Flavours of white cherry, lemon pith and hints of mineral are framed by the backbone of acidity. This is an ideal aperitif, a wine that can play on its own but would really sing as a part of an ensemble of oysters and prawns where it provided the juicy accompaniment. Crisp and lively!

Very Good+

2023 Ghost Hill Cellars Rosé

100% Pinot Noir, this wine is reminding us just how great Pinot is when made into a rosé. Salmon pink in colour, we get fresh strawberries and watermelon on the nose. Flavours of cherry and cranberry gain support from the mineral notes that punctuate the finish. The spicy notes add to the refreshing nature of this wine. This is a food friendly rosé that shows how this can be a serious style of wine and worthy of attention.

Very Good/Excellent

2019 Ghost Hill Cellars Pinot Noir Dijon Clone 777

2019 Pinot Noir Dijon Clone 777

From the first sip we knew exactly why they made this limited-edition wine from this single clone. This is all about elegance! Medium red in colour, with a slight fade at the rim. We get spicy red cherry flavours with cracked pepper notes on the long finish. Medium+ acidity provides a juicy sensation, and the medium tannins are ripe and not at all raspy. The balance is just where you want it to be. Medium body with great finesse. A lithe and very graceful Pinot Noir. Did somebody bottle Audrey Hepburn??

Excellent+

2018 Ghost Hill Cellars Prospectors’ Reserve Pinot Noir

2018 Ghost Hill Cellars Prospectors’ Reserve Pinot Noir

This is the powerful big brother to the Clone 777. Darker red in the glass, the colour foreshadows its brawny nature. Intense flavours of black cherry, raspberry with hints of earth and fermenting leaves. Medium body and medium+ tannin. A muscular Pinot Noir, but don’t think linebacker, think gymnast. Delicious!

Excellent+

2016 Ghost Hill Cellars Bayless-Bower Pinot Noir

Medium red with a tawny rim, this is showing its level of maturity. Flavours of dark cherry and raspberry gaining added complexity from the black pepper and spice notes. A lovely mouthfeel that shows the integration of its many facets; a feature that only time can bring. In a perfect window right now, this can still go at least another 5 years.

Excellent

2012 Ghost Hill Cellars Bayless-Bower Pinot Noir

2016 Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir

Somehow the winery put 7 cases of this timeless beauty behind some other inventory and let time work its magic on this very special wine. Talk about a hidden treasure! This wine, though fully mature, is showing no signs of any impending senility. We could see this going longer than the 2016. Medium red in colour this shows the winery’s stamp: complexity and seductiveness that come with age. The mouthfeel is a velvet robe that keeps the cherry, raspberry and plum flavours on your palate for more than a minute. All components singing together to create balance and harmony. This is the gateway drug to Pinotphelia!

Excellent+

*Note: we were too busy enjoying the wine to write down prices. But everything they sell goes for under $60 USD per 750 ml bottle. These are fantastic prices for wines at this quality level.

Ghost Hill Cellars

Ghost Hill Cellars.

9700 NE Oak Springs Farm Rd,

Carlton, OR 97111

T: (503) 857-6070

H: Thurs-Mon 12pm-5pm / Fridays 12pm-9pm