Winner: Rex Hill Reserve Pinot Noir A landmark winery in the northern Willamette Valley, Rex Hill passed in 2007 from its founders to A to Z Wineworks, which now makes all its wines—sourced from vineyards throughout Oregon—at the Rex Hill facility. With Rex Hill labeled-wines, the new owners slashed case production, introduced sustainable farming and winemaking practices, and brought a renewed commitment to strengthening the brand. Despite difficult weather patterns during the 2010 growing season and bird damage, the Reserve Pinot noir, a blend of five vineyards, sold out quickly at the winery; some bottles may still be available in wine shops. The winery (rexhill.com) welcomes visitors in its historic tasting room in Newberg; tastings are $10 and refundable with a $40 purchase. Runner-Up: Arborbrook 2010 Vintner’s Select Pinot Noir If you want a bottle of ArborBrook’s 2010 Vintner’s Select Pinot noir, you’ll have to hurry. Since 2005, the Newberg…

Winner: Archery Summit Photo by Andrea Johnson  On a gravel road off Highway 18 outside Dayton is a steep driveway leading to the gates of Pinot noir heaven. Every detail of Archery Summit’s operation speaks to the luxury wines crafted in Oregon’s first 100 percent gravity-flow winery. No mechanical pumps here—just a gentle pull of gravity from hand sorting and de-stemming on the top floor to the fermentation hall, aging caves and bottling areas below. Built in 1993, the winery has earned a reputation for big, complex and layered Pinot noirs. It produces six single-vineyard wines, a cuvée and, in the summer, a rosé. All but one of 120 acres are planted in Pinot noir grapes. One acre is devoted to Pinot gris. Interestingly, its production team is predominantly female, including winemaker Anna Matzinger and winegrower Leigh Bartholomew. Visit the on-site tasting room and try the Renegade Ridge or Red…