Walter Scott Wines was founded with a simple but ambitious goal: to craft world-class wines that capture the depth and energy of the Willamette Valley. Funded by emptied retirement accounts and fueled by sheer determination, Ken Pahlow and Erica Landon have built Walter Scott into one of the world’s most acclaimed wineries.

Ken’s journey through St. Innocent, Patricia Green Cellars, and Evening Land Vineyards provided an invaluable education, shaping his philosophy and deepening his understanding of site-driven winemaking. Most impactfully, his time alongside Dominique Lafon left a lasting imprint, revealing the discipline, work ethic, and uncompromising commitment to learning that exceptional winemaking demands. This pivotal mentorship ignited a relentless drive for excellence—one that continues to define Walter Scott and sparked an obsession with Chardonnay.

Ken and Erica believe in the power of collaboration, working only with growers who share their unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, refining techniques, and obsessing over every detail in their vineyards. By starting with the highest quality grapes, Walter Scott is provided the opportunity to create truly revelatory wines.

Today, Walter Scott stands as a benchmark producer in the Willamette Valley, earning international acclaim for wines that are both precise and profound. Through it all, Ken and Erica remain fiercely focused—knowing that great wines are made with intention, respect, and an uncompromising pursuit of quality. 

Oregon is one of the most exciting wine regions in the United States, renowned for its cool-climate wines and a strong focus on sustainability and artisanal production. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon’s wine industry has grown rapidly over the past few decades, with the Willamette Valley at its heart.

The state’s climate is largely influenced by the Pacific Ocean, with cooling breezes, coastal fog, and significant diurnal temperature variation. The Cascade Mountains to the east and the Coast Range to the west create sheltered valleys with diverse microclimates. These conditions are ideal for delicate, expressive wines with natural acidity and aromatic complexity.

The Willamette Valley is the most prominent wine-growing area, known globally for its world-class Pinot Noir. Sub-regions such as Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton, and Eola-Amity Hills each bring unique soil types and elevations that influence wine style. Beyond the Willamette, regions like the Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley in southern Oregon offer warmer conditions suitable for a broader range of varieties.

Pinot Noir is Oregon’s flagship grape, producing elegant, earthy wines with red berry and floral notes. Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling also thrive, while warmer southern sites support Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. Oregon’s wines are celebrated for their balance, purity, and sense of place.

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular and versatile white grape varieties, originating from the Burgundy region of France. It is a relatively adaptable vine, thriving in a range of climates and soil types, making it widely planted across the globe. Chardonnay ripens early to mid-season and is known for its ability to express terroir, as well as respond well to a variety of winemaking techniques, including oak ageing and malolactic fermentation.

Today, Chardonnay is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country. In France, it shines in Burgundy’s Chablis (crisp, mineral-driven) and Côte de Beaune (rich, complex), and is also a key component of Champagne. In the New World, regions like California, Australia (Yarra Valley, Margaret River), New Zealand, and Chile produce diverse expressions, ranging from lean and citrusy to full-bodied and buttery.

Cool-climate Chardonnays tend to show green apple, lemon, and flinty notes, while warmer regions yield riper flavours like tropical fruit, peach, and melon. Oak-aged Chardonnays may exhibit vanilla, toast, and nutty characteristics, while unoaked versions highlight freshness and purity of fruit.

This remarkable flexibility makes Chardonnay a favourite among winemakers and wine lovers alike, offering a wide spectrum of styles and flavours.