HISTORICAL Oregon Wineries

 

Seven Hills
Vineyard & Winery
1982-Present

Seven Hills Winery & VineyardIn the early 1980’s the Seven Hills Vineyard and Winery had little in common with most other Oregon vineyards/wineries.  It was located between Milton-Freewater and Umapine, in Eastern Oregon and produced Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, not Pinot Noir which Oregon is best known.  It also was located in the Walla Walla Valley appellation, a viticultural area which includes areas of both Oregon and Washington.

The 20-25 acre vineyard was established in about 1982 by Herbert Hendricks and James McClellan, both physicians, and their families.  The Hendricks were in charge of the vineyards, and the McClellans handled the winery.  The son of James McClellan, Casey McClellan, was the winemaker.  He graduated from the University of Washington with a pharmacy degree, then  earned a masters degree in enology from U.C. Davis.

Over the years the Seven Hills Vineyard sold grapes to such well known wineries as Woodward Canyon and Leonetti.  In fact Wines & Spirits Magazine profiled the vineyard in its 2004 issue and rated it one of the 10 great vineyards of the world! 

The vineyard was sold in 1994 to Norm McKibben, who with partners in the late 1990’s expanded the vineyard to over 200 acres.  The vineyard is located at 83501 Lower Dry Creek Road, Milton Freewater, OR.

The Seven Hills Winery is now located in downtown Walla Walla and continues under the direction of Casey McClellan and family.  The winery’s address is 212 N. Third Ave, Walla Walla, WA.
 

Fun Facts

First Oregon Winery in the Walla Walla Valley Viticultural Area & First Eastern Oregon Winery