Someone once said, “Love—like wine—gets better with time.” In our opinion, truer words have never been spoken. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we wanted to shine a light on a local winery that understands that the connection between wine and romance, and there’s no better choice than One Love Cellars. It’s the story of how one family’s passion for winemaking brought them across the country to follow their dream of mastering that most temperamental grape: Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir is a notoriously fickle fruit that requires special conditions to grow. It prefers a cooler climate than more robust reds like Cabernet, and its vines bloom early making it susceptible to early Spring frosts. These challenges piqued the interest of a Michigan biochemist by the name of Kevin Taylor, and he was inspired to head west to Oregon wine country and found One Love Cellars with his wife Sue and daughter Kate. After arriving in 2010, they worked hard to learn the craft, meet their industry neighbors, and ready the land for their first planting in 2012.
Sadly, Kevin passed not too long after their arrival in Oregon, but his spirit still lives on in the soil, the wine, and the people at One Love Cellars. His wife, Sue, is now the heart and soul behind One Love Cellars and continues Kevin’s mission to master the art of making Pinot Noir. Things look a little different now. Over the years they’ve expanded, adding new acreage and vines as demand has grown, and One Love Cellars now offers a variety of wines to suit any taste. Sue Christenson is a doctor by day and dedicated wine enthusiast when she’s at home in the vineyard. In addition, she’s joined by a dedicated team whose mission is to bring the best Pinot Noir, Albariño and sparkling wine made from grapes grown in their estate vineyard.
Sue loves to host new guests at their tasting room and a trip to their vineyard will be the highlight of any romantic getaway. Located in the southeast Salem hills, the sprawling 60-acre estate allows visitors to enjoy sweeping views of the Valley while enjoying the tranquility of a secluded forest. Only 16 acres of the property has been planted as part of their deep commitment to sustainable farming practices and responsible stewardship of the land, so it’s not uncommon to be greeted by deer and other woodland creatures during a visit. Guests are encouraged to connect with nature and enjoy their tasting in harmony with the local wildlife.
Still looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day surprise? We’ve partnered with One Love Cellars to create an experience your partner will never forget. The romance begins with a two-night stay in one of our luxe rooms; the perfect setting for couples to relax and reconnect on the banks of the Willamette River. Then, guests will receive a $150 dining credit at our on-site restaurant Territory for a romantic dinner for two that is sure to delight. Finally, included with each reservation is a bottle of wine from One Love Cellars which pairs perfectly with a night in the room or stargazing from our rooftop.
