Ghost Hill Cellars

What a fun place. Met the owners and did a wine flight. Can’t wait to come back when we visit the area again. Check it out!

Stopped by here on a whim while driving to the coast on Labor Day weekend. The husband and wife vintner team were holding court in their small wooden gazebo, pouring a flight of white and red wines that they had made and which are normally sold at another winery, but they have decided to try out having their own tasting space.
The pinot noir was fantastic! They’ve actually won a lot of awards for their various vintages and a bunch of publicity (including Sunset Magazine this month). I anticipate starting to notice their wine all over the place now that I know about it.
The story about the ghost miner and his horse — and the fact that the vintner is the inspiration for the ghost figure on the label — all add to the charm of this winery.
Totally worth a visit.

Ghost Hill Cellars is located less than a mile from Monks Gate Vineyards and about 7 miles from the town of Carlton. These ex-​cattle ranchers have about 200 acres of farmland but so far have only planted about 18 for their vineyards. Ghost Hill got its name from an old legend which dates back to the 1860’s, where a miner amist the Oregon gold rush was killed and his gold stolen atop what is now Ghost Hill. It is said that to this day he’s still roaming the hill searching for it. I mean come on who doesn’t love a good ghost story?
This charming family farm sits adjacent from the hill where they have built a neat little tasting cabana right outside their home. This day not only were we greated by a very lively wine dog but an eager and welcoming Drenda, part owner of Ghost Hill Cellars. She even trusted a complete stranger (me) into her home to use the restroom, now if that isn’t welcoming I don’t know what is. She poured us three wines, their 2010 Rose, 2009 Pinot Noir and a very unique 2010 Pinot Noir Blanc, not to be confused with a Pinot Blanc. All three were very balanced between fruit and acidity for such young wines. The Pinot Noir Blanc was my favorite as it showed both a beautiful bouquet and tastes of tropical flavors usually found in Viognier. Its body was rich while it finished light and refreshing with tastes of crisp pears and apple. Beyond these qualities it’s an interesting wine that tricks your mind as it drinks like a Pinot Noir but looks like a white wine. Ghost Hill Cellars is just one of the few producers making this style of Pinot Noir, it’s for this reason and its other charming features that I highly recommend you go for a visit too.