With more than three decades in the Willamette Valley, WillaKenzie Estate is privileged to be part of a close-knit community of pioneering winegrowers and proprietors, working together to bring international recognition to this relatively young and rural wine region.
Scroll through our timeline to learn more about WillaKenzie Estate’s founding, key milestones, and evolution.
1991
Looking to return to his Burgundian roots, Bernard Lacroute and his wife, Ronni, purchase a 420-acre cattle farm near the town of Yamhill, OR. They named the Estate “WillaKenzie” after the region’s ancient sedimentary soils.
1992
The first vines are planted at the WillaKenzie Estate.
1995
With Laurent onboard, Bernie and Ronni decide to bottle their own wines rather than sell their grapes to other wineries. They commission Ernie Munch to construct a gravity feed winery—one of the region’s first. The winery is completed just in time for WillaKenzie Estate's first vintage.
1996
Launched in 1996, WillaKenzie Estate's Cellar Club becomes one of the Willamette Valley’s first direct-to-consumer wine programs. One year later, WillaKenzie Estate’s Tasting Room welcomes its first visitors.
1997
Under the guidance of viticultural experts Guy Chris and Daniel Fey and a stellar crew—many of whom remain with us today—Terres Basses (97), Emery (98), and Triple Black Slopes (99) vineyards are planted.
1997
WillaKenzie Estate’s 1995 Gamay Noir is served at a televised White House gala. Since 1997, WillaKenzie Estate wines have been enjoyed at several State Dinners by esteemed guests, including the French President and British First Lady.
2000
The Lacroutes purchase 95 acres of land in the neighboring Dundee Hills. They name the vineyard "Jory Hills", after the region's unique red, volcanic Jory soils.
2008
The northwest's sustainability organization, LIVE, launches its winery certification program. WillaKenzie Estate, a leader in sustainability from day one, becomes the first LIVE Certified Winery.
2011
Construction is completed on the new tasting room building and large solar array, which currently supplies 50% of WillaKenzie Estate’s electricity needs.
2017
Erik Kramer joins as the winemaker.
2018-2019
French for "crest," La Crête is a vine and barrel selection representing our estate’s pinnacle expression, crafted only in exceptional vintages. The inaugural releases include the 2018 La Crête Pinot Noir and 2019 La Crête Chardonnay.
2019
Named Éclatant Brut—French for "brilliant"—our first sparkling wine is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Crafted in the traditional method, it reflects the highest degree of intentionality and the highest calling of our estate.
2024
Our tasting room undergoes a redesign, with an emphasis on the concept of texture—Erik Kramer’s top tenet of winemaking—and a reflection of our diverse terroir.
