Björnson Vineyard

Björnson Vineyard is a family-owned winery on Bethel Heights Road northwest of Salem in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Mark and Pattie Björnson established the vineyard in 2006 on a 107-acre farm, with 28 acres planted to vines. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay form the core of a portfolio that also includes Gamay Noir, Auxerrois, Aligoté, Chenin Blanc, Mondeuse Noire, Pinot Meunier, and other less-common varieties.

History & Founding

Mark and Pattie Björnson moved from Minnesota to Oregon in 2005, purchased the Eola-Amity Hills property, and founded Björnson Vineyard the following year. Both studied viticulture and winemaking at Chemeketa Community College, while Pattie also interned at nearby Bethel Heights Vineyard under Ben Casteel. The original property gradually developed from a rural farm into an estate vineyard and winery, with individual vineyard blocks planted over several years beginning in 2006.

The Björnsons remain directly involved in the business. Mark oversees vineyard operations, while Pattie works on the winemaking side alongside winemaker Scott Sabbadini and also remains involved with hospitality. Their ownership and operating roles have kept vineyard farming, production, and the visitor experience closely connected rather than separating those areas into unrelated parts of the business.

Winemaker

Scott Sabbadini joined Björnson in 2019 and works under Pattie Björnson’s oversight. He earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis in 2006 after also studying for a year at the Enological University of Conegliano in Italy. His early experience included Fieldstone Winery in Alexander Valley, followed by a vintage in New Zealand and several years at Maryhill Winery in Washington, where he worked with more than 30 grape varieties.

Sabbadini moved into Willamette Valley production in 2016, spending three years at Domaine Roy et Fils in the Dundee Hills before completing another vintage in Argentina. That background is relevant at Björnson because the winery works with a considerably broader range of grapes than many Oregon estates built primarily around Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The supplied winery record likewise identifies his experience at Maryhill, Domaine Roy et Fils, and in Argentina as key parts of his background.

The property offers indoor and outdoor seating, with broad views across the vineyard and Willamette Valley and, in clear conditions, toward Mt. Hood.

The Property

The estate occupies 107 acres, but only 28 acres are planted to vines. More than 75 acres remain in forest, creeks, riparian areas, and other undeveloped habitat, while the vineyard itself is divided into blocks named for members of the Björnson family. Plantings include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Auxerrois, and Gamay Noir, with portions of the vineyard sitting on rocky Jory and Nekia volcanic soils.

Sustainability is incorporated into the physical operation of the property. The estate is certified Salmon-Safe and sustainable through L.I.V.E., and the winery reports that solar arrays now generate 20 kW of electricity and provide more than 70 percent of the winery’s energy needs. The winery building also uses insulated concrete forms, radiant heating, ductless heat pumps, and LED lighting.

For visitors, the estate tasting room places the vineyard itself at the center of the experience. The property offers indoor and outdoor seating, with broad views across the vineyard and Willamette Valley and, in clear conditions, toward Mt. Hood. The Cork & Journey tasting record specifically notes both indoor and outdoor seating and scenic views.

Wine Style & Notable Bottlings

Pinot Noir remains the most extensive part of the portfolio. Current and recent bottlings include Estate and Willamette Valley Pinot Noir along with Reserve, Art, Edward, Isabel, Magnus, and other limited Pinot Noir selections. Chardonnay is another major component, but Björnson also produces wines from grapes including Auxerrois, Aligoté, Chenin Blanc, Gouais Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Gamay Noir, Mondeuse Noire, and Pinot Meunier.

The tasting record identifies several wines that stood out within the lineup. The 2022 Edward Pinot Noir received an Editor’s Choice designation from Wine Enthusiast. Other highlighted bottles include the 2021 Reserve Pinot Noir, which was named Best in Class at the 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, as well as the 2023 Reserve Chardonnay, 2022 Isabel Pinot Noir, and 2021 Art Pinot Noir.

The range is notable because it allows the winery to maintain a clear Eola-Amity Hills emphasis while extending beyond the region’s most familiar varieties. Björnson has also developed Pamar Vineyard in the Van Duzer Corridor AVA, where plantings include varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Mondeuse Noire, Trousseau, Gouais Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Aligoté, Melon de Bourgogne, and Chenin Blanc alongside more established Oregon grapes.

Tasting Experience

The estate tasting room is designed to accommodate both scheduled visits and walk-ins. The winery currently lists its standard tasting at $25 per person, waived with the purchase of two bottles, and encourages reservations for larger groups while continuing to welcome walk-in guests. The Cork & Journey tasting record also lists an Elevated Tour and Tasting at $50 per person, with that fee not waived through a bottle purchase.

Hospitality is structured around conversation and education rather than a highly formal presentation. During the July 2026 Cork & Journey visit, Ella led the tasting and was specifically noted for being knowledgeable. Combined with the indoor and outdoor seating and the estate views, the experience offers enough structure for visitors interested in vineyard and production details without requiring an appointment for a standard visit.

Regional Context

Björnson sits within the Eola-Amity Hills, an AVA established in 2006 inside the larger Willamette Valley. The appellation covers nearly 38,000 acres northwest of Salem and is shaped by a combination of volcanic basalt and marine sedimentary soils. Cooling Pacific air moving through the Van Duzer Corridor is one of the area’s defining climatic influences, helping moderate vineyard temperatures during the growing season.

That context is particularly relevant to Björnson because its estate occupies rocky volcanic terrain and relies heavily on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, two grapes closely associated with the appellation. The winery’s expansion into the neighboring Van Duzer Corridor through Pamar Vineyard also gives it access to a second cool-climate site while providing room to work with less-common grape varieties.