Bright Light on the National Stage: Oak Hill Reserve Pinot Gris Named One of the Best by VinePair

There’s no greater feeling than when the wines you make earn praise from the pros, and we’ve got two major reasons to celebrate!

VinePair named our 2022 Oak Hill Reserve Pinot Gris one of 19 Best Pinot Grigios for 2025. This Oregon white stole the spotlight for its depth, rich character, and expressive fruit, traits that truly set Willamette Valley wines apart.

But the excitement didn’t stop there: the same wine also earned a spot in VinePair’s 30 Best White Wines for 2026, validating its status not just among Pinot Grigios/Gris, but alongside the world’s top-performing whites.

“In the U.S., winemakers can either use the French “Pinot Gris,” or Italian “Pinot Grigio” to describe a wine made from this classic grape. Whichever term they use typically depends on style, and this is a great example of a French-leaning, Pinot Gris-style wine. Rather than lean and delicate, this wine is weighty and round, with a 13.5 percent ABV and a waxy texture. But this heft is beautifully balanced by bright notes of orchard fruit and white flowers.” 93 Points. – Keith Beavers, VinePair

The Backstory: Oak Hill Reserve Pinot Gris

Oak Hill Block
Planted in 1994, this block was first used for a “Reserve” style with our 2007 vintage. When Leo Gabica became lead winemaker in 2013, he continued the tradition.

Our Oak Hill Block enjoys extended sunlight during the prime growing season, ripening the fruit with layers of rich flavor expressions. Brief skin contact allows the wine to develop texture and depth without overwhelming its freshness. By aging in a mix of neutral French oak and stainless steel, we are able to balance the richness and vibrancy.

Why the name Oak Hill? Directly next to this block sits an oak grove. We’ve partnered with Cascades Raptor Center to have owl boxes in this grove. When an owl is ready to return to the wild, the team places it into one of these boxes.

Leo’s Winemaking Style
In the weeks leading up to harvest, Leo is out walking the vineyard, spending time with each block and getting to know it on a deeper level. As veraison wraps up, he tastes the fruit regularly, paying close attention to how flavors, texture, and balance are developing as the vintage takes shape.

Wine grapes give us just one chance to capture a vintage. Unlike other beverages, like beer or cider, there are no do-overs. Harvest happens once, and the wine made that year becomes a lasting snapshot of that growing season. For Leo, the goal is to capture both the vintage and the varietal as honestly as possible.

Harvest Intentions

Rather than manipulating flavors, Leo leans into what each block is naturally expressing. He listens to what the vineyard and the season are offering. How the fruit tastes, how it feels, and what makes it unique in that year. That understanding carries through harvest and into fermentation, where his role is less about control and more about guidance.

By working minimally with the grapes, Leo allows the wine to follow its natural intention. Our wines carry the story of the vineyard, the imprint of the vintage, and the unmistakable character of the varietal. A genuine expression of place, season, and care. Learn more about Leo, the first employee at Sweet Cheeks Winery and the first Filipino winemaker in Oregon.