Resting serenely in the foothills of the Chehalem Mountains of the Willamette Valley, Árdíri Winery and Vineyards may look like a quiet respite from its zany neighbor city of Portland, but the boutique winery is ablaze with a passion for creating memorable moments and flavorful experiences.
“Árdíri means to be consumed by fire, which is figurative for being full of passion,” said Joscelyn Zell, event and marketing director for Árdíri Winery and Vineyards in Cornelius, Oregon. “Our team embodies this spirit, ensuring our guests walk away feeling like they had a special experience in wine country.”
With fire tables set throughout the facility, there is a literal representation of the winery’s illustrious identity, and as Zell likes to point out, those are the only fires they like to keep contained on the property.
That love for creating fine wines and crafting unusual events has trickled down from the winemakers themselves. John Compagno and Gail Liza both worked in the molecular and diagnostic field of DNA testing, which explains their keen interest in working with pinot noir, the notoriously genetically unstable variety of wine. Now more interested in wine than laboratories, they remain actively involved in all aspects of this hillside vineyard.
Their award-winning wines come from their vineyards in the Willamette and Napa valleys, and the estate at the main Árdíri property in Oregon is stunning, with sprawling acres of vines and breathtaking mountain vistas that look out over the Willamette Valley.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t take a moment to appreciate the sheer beauty and tranquility of this venue,” said Zell, who noted that her favorite way to spend a day at the vineyard includes sitting by the fire, sipping wine and soaking in the incredible view. “It’s a joy to have people come here and experience the same thing.”
It’s with open arms — and frequently an open bottle — that the vineyard welcomes guests for off-site events and unforgettable meetings.
Meeting Spaces
To accommodate the often-fickle weather in Oregon — sunny one day, then dreary and rainy the next — the meeting space at the Árdíri Winery and Vineyards is a covered patio encased in convertible glass to adjust to anything Mother Nature decides to throw out.
The patio holds up to 40 people in the winter when the glass is up and the weather is cool, and anywhere from 50 to 75 people in the summer when the glass comes down and the sun comes out. The patio’s views and intimate setting make it ideal for corporate planning meetings, social and charity events, and dinners. Custom setups are available upon request.
Bites and Sips
Catering to off-site business meetings, retreats and events, the lush landscape offers a feast for meeting professionals looking to immerse themselves in local flavor. The on-site event coordinator works closely with groups to select the perfect caterer for that specific event, offering a list of recommended local vendors or letting guests select their own.
But when it comes to the beverage service, Árdíri has it covered, from tasting flights served in their brand-new tasting room, which features a poured black concrete bar and roll-up windowed doors for an indoor/outdoor experience, or just an added bottle service to pair with a selected menu.
