REVIEW: Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Blanc Freedom Hill Vineyard 2022

Ken Wright Cellars has been a longtime favorite of mine. I was a member of their wine club for a short time, and that experience completely reshaped how I think about Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. But what I love even more is that Ken doesn’t stop at Pinot. He quietly produces some absolutely beautiful Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Rosé, and what we’re diving into today, a stunning Pinot Blanc!

This Pinot Blanc is the definition of a winery‑only treasure. I’ve never seen it on a retail shelf, and honestly, buying directly from Ken Wright Cellars is the way to go anyway. Every dollar you spend there feels like an investment in craftsmanship, farming, and a producer who genuinely cares about place. Let’s dig into where this wine comes from, because the story behind it is just as compelling as the glass in front of you.

About the Pinot Blanc

Ken Wright’s Pinot Blanc comes from the Freedom Hill Vineyard, tucked into the Mount Pisgah AVA. The first vines were planted in 1994, with additional plantings in 2007, 2008, and 2012. Even today, Pinot Blanc remains a tiny production, with only about 6 acres in total, roughly 1,089 vines per acre this makes it one of those wines you feel lucky to get your hands on.

The soil here is Bellpine, a marine sedimentary series formed from sandstone and ancient ocean‑floor shales. These soils are shallow, low in nutrients, and force the vines to dig deep for water and minerals. Bellpine is among the oldest soil types in Oregon, formed over 200 million years ago when tectonic collisions pushed the region upward and created the coastal and Cascade ranges that cradle the Willamette Valley.

This combination of age, struggle, and geology gives Pinot Blanc from this site a quiet intensity—purity of fruit, mineral tension, and a depth that sneaks up on you.

Mount Pisgah AVA

Mount Pisgah is a geological story in motion. The mountain began 65 million years ago as a sea‑floor volcano, later buried under layers of marine sediment and eventually pushed above sea level. That blend of volcanic origin and oceanic influence creates a mosaic of soils that give the wines from this area their depth and character.

Elevation plays a key role here as well, ranging from 260 to 835 feet. Its position just six miles from the Willamette River makes it a generally warm site compared to higher‑elevation vineyards or those farther from the river, yet it still maintains a unique balance, warmer winters and slightly cooler summers than nearby Salem and McMinnville.

The planted soils include Willakenzie, Bellpine, Jory, and pockets of Nekia, all sitting atop Siletz Rock, the oldest rock formation in the Willamette Valley. These shallow, clay‑influenced soils encourage small berries, concentrated flavors, and allow for little or no irrigation thanks to their natural water‑holding capacity. With minimal wind to stress the vines, the site supports steady, healthy growth and produces grapes with purity, structure, and a strong sense of place.

My Personal Review

Name: Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Blanc Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Blanc 2022

Varietal: Pinot Blanc

Vintage: 2022

ABV: 11.7%

Country: USA

State: Oregon

AVA: Willamette Valley

Sub-AVA: Mount Pisgah

Vineyard: Freedom Hill

Clarity: clean, no flavonols

Hue: clear hue with greyish hints around the rim, beautiful color

Nose: is beautiful and inviting, I could smell this wine all day! Notes of lime, honeysuckle, and white flowers

Palate: juicy and succulent, the honeysuckle and fruit notes are really coming through making the palate round and pleasant, with an uplifting lime note keeping the acid in check, making this wine perfectly balanced

Body: Medium(-)

Acidity: Medium

Finish: medium finish, each sip makes you want more

Rating: 90 Points

Price: $28.00(directly from their winery)

Overall, I absolutely love this wine. I bought six bottles a few years ago and just recently opened my last two while sharing them with friends. Always the true test of a great bottle. This Pinot Blanc has that perfect balance of fruit, acidity, and weight that makes it both refreshing and quietly complex. It’s incredibly versatile at the table too. Pair it with fish, poultry, or anything that leans fresh and delicate, and you’re guaranteed a win!

To check out the Instagram post of what I paired this with, please follow this link