Compris Vineyard

Like storming the beaches of Normandy, I was really intent on crushing 2025. Grab it by the scuff of the neck and show it who’s boss. Take it by storm. 

Except that I got sick right after Christmas and am only now feeling (mostly) normal after 7 weeks of yuck. It’s actually been multiple illnesses that basically ran into one another. 

To be fair, I’ve had nearly perfect health for the last five-ish years so I guess I had it coming. 

Get to the Point Neil 

Really this all a long winded apology to the folks at Compris Vineyard, who hosted me last month and haven’t received a proper thank you yet. 

It’s not like I was deathly ill, but blog writing and social media were put aside in favor of watching Black Sails on Netflix and reading Daniel Mason novels on my overworked couch. 

Only now am I starting to feel like a normal person. 

Anyhoo… 

Like I said, last month I went for a tasting at Compris Vineyard in Newberg. 

The Briefest of Backstories

Compris brings a new face to an established vineyard. Originally known as VIDON, it was sold to Dru and Erin Allen in 2020 and renamed soon after. 

The vineyard itself was planted two decades earlier by original founders Vickie and Don. Since then, certain parts have been replanted with Gamay Noir and Cab Franc (I tell you, if marketers play their cards right Gamay is going to have a BIG moment here in the valley and I will be it’s #1 cheerleader). 

Setting the Scene

The vineyard is located 10 minutes northwest of Newberg, in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It clocks in at 12.5 acres and consists of not just Pinot and Chard but also Gamay, Tempranillo, Syrah, Cab Franc, and Viognier. 

The tasting room and winery are set on a hill overlooking vineyards and surrounding wineries, with vistas of the Dundee Hills in the distance. 

There are multiple areas for tasting, depending on the weather and your tastes. The terrace is set up with adirondack chairs and boasts the best views. You can also sit on the covered patio or inside the tasting room. 

It being January, I of course stayed warm in the tasting room. 

Tasting the Wines

All of the wines I tasted were made by owner Dru Allen. Newer vintages will feature the skills of winemaker Aaron Kendall, who came on board in 2023. Aaron is known for his previous work at Beaux Freres and Adelsheim. 

Upon arrival I was welcomed by my host Ella with a pour of the 2023 Valley Skies Rosé. Flower blossoms and light red fruit on the nose. WV Pinot Noir makes a great rosé, but it’s a nice change to see this one made from Tempranillo. 

After that we tried a few Pinot Noirs. First up was the 2021 Mountain Echo Pinot Noir. Fresh red fruit with some savory herbaceous notes. 10 months in oak and leaning heavily on Pommard. 

This was followed by a 2021 As One Pinot Noir. I really enjoyed this one, black and blue fruit with earthy notes of evergreen and leather. 

Dru was also generous enough to pour some of the 2021 Given to Fly Pinot Noir. This is a blend of the very best barrels and weds Pommard, 115, and 777 clones into a special representation of the site.

After that things got even more adventurous. The final red was a Tempranillo, the 2022 Moonlit Sky. The original vineyard owner, Don Hagge, planted about an acre of the stuff about 15 years ago. It’s one of the few blocks of Tempranillo you’ll find in the area. 

I’ve often complained that the Willamette Valley Tempranillos I’ve tried have tasted thin and unripe. This one did have some of the tart cranberry and lean red fruit that I expected, but it was very approachable and came off as more delicate than undeveloped. Thumbs up. 

Another nerdy side note: A portion of this wine is aged in oak barrels made right here in the Willamette Valley. They’re from the only cooperage in the Pacific NW. Super cool! 

To wrap up the tasting I got a taste of the Compris Sun, probably the most intriguing item on the list. Compris Sun is a collaboration with Bauman’s Cider. It’s a blend of cider apples fermented with Syrah and Viognier. 

I’ve tried a few of these coferments and I always enjoy them. It does take a few sips to adjust your pallet but they make fantastic food pairings. I wonder how different generations respond to them, since many Gen Z beverages aren’t as burdened by tradition and rules.

All the Compris wines were well made and enjoyable. I’m curious to see how newer vintages evolve with the change in winemaker. 

Good Wines, Good Music, Good People

Because it was slow season, I had the tasting room mostly to myself. It was a nice chance to chat with both my host Ella and owner Dru.

One cool thing about the wines is that they’re named after his favorite song lyrics. The ones I recognized included Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Foo Fighters. He’s clearly a fan of 90’s grunge and I saw a reference to India.Arie too. 

Along with adopting a vineyard, rebranding a winery and running a business, Dru also made the wines for the first few vintages. Busy dude!  

From the naming of the wines to the cider blend to the varieties grown, it’s clear that Dru and his wife Erin aren’t too anchored to stuffy tradition.

He also told me about the rotating community partners that Compris helps support. For the month of January, a portion of proceeds was going to Unidos. According to their website, Unidos promotes the “integration, participation, and success” of Latinx families and individuals here in Yamhill County (and across the country). 

Giving back to the community and supporting each other is integral for so many of the small businesses here in Oregon wine country. 

And this is the potential magic in visiting Oregon wine country during the winter: It might be dreary, it’s probably damp, but you get almost one-on-one access to staff in the tasting room. And maybe, like in my case, it’s even the owner and winemaker!

You get to hear the stories behind the wine, behind the people, and what they’re passionate about. 

This is not something that happens on a Saturday afternoon in July. 

It’s funny. Some tastings are all about the wine, or the view, or the fancy tasting room. 

My visit to Compris was all about the people. Who knows, maybe they won’t remember me. But I left feeling like I had made a friend or two. 

By the way, COMPRIS means to be understood, or included. Which is what we all want, right? 

The Details

Hours: Fri-Sun 11am-4pm

Pets Allowed: Yes

Children Allowed: Yes

Walk-ins: Welcome (reservations encouraged)

Light food available, sorry no outside food