LONESOME ROCK CELLARS
Willamette Valley
Carlton, Orgeon
A High-Elevation Willamette Valley Winery
Join us Our Tasting House at the Vineyard in Carlton, OR
Just ten minutes west of downtown Carlton, our tasting house sits high above the valley, tucked deep into the rugged hills and forests of the northwestern Willamette Valley. Surrounded by trees, wildlife, and sweeping views of the Coast Range, it is wild, secluded, and completely removed from the ordinary—a place where the vineyard meets the edge of the forest.
Visits are by appointment, intimate, and personal. Hosted by the owners who farm the vineyard and shape every winemaking decision, each tasting offers rare access to the people and place behind the wines. We welcome you to experience this remarkable place—to feel at home here, and to leave with a deeper connection to the land, the wines, and the people behind them. We look forward to sharing what makes the Willamette Valley so special, and why winemaking here is such a beautiful pursuit.
Estate-Grown Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from the Willamette Valley
Our wines are estate-grown, with a focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay defined by elevation, volcanic soils, and coastal influence. Production is intentionally limited, allowing each vintage to reflect both the season and the character of the site.
Our Story
Lonesome Rock is the result of a long pursuit—one defined less by speed than by patience. After years of searching, Danny and Susan Klieman chose this monopole hillside west of Carlton for its exposure, its climate, and the way it allows them to make the kind of wines they love: fragrant and layered, generous without weight, and carried by a bright, natural line of acidity.
A Unique Vineyard in the Willamette Valley Shaped by Place and Farmed for the Long View
Set at the extreme northwestern edge of the Willamette Valley, Lonesome Rock Cellars is a singular, organically farmed estate vineyard in the rugged hills west of Carlton, Oregon. Sitting high above the valley floor, the site is defined by fractured volcanic soils, steady coastal winds, and a long growing season that shapes fruit of clarity and tension. Farming decisions are guided by the vineyard itself, with an emphasis on balance, resilience, and longevity.
Sustainability isn’t an add-on — it’s how we care for the land we call home. Certified LIVE (Low Input Viticulture & Enology), our vineyard practices prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and balanced ecosystems. From cover crops to insectaries, water-smart decisions to minimal-input farming, each choice reflects our commitment to vineyard resilience, environmental balance, and long-term quality.
Life at Lonesome Rock
Why the Willamette Valley Excels at Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
The Willamette Valley’s reputation for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is rooted in a rare convergence of latitude, climate, and soils. Located near the 45th parallel—mirroring Burgundy—the region experiences a long, temperate growing season that allows fruit to ripen slowly while preserving natural acidity.
Cooling Pacific breezes funnel inland, moderating summer heat and extending hang time. Combined with diverse volcanic and sedimentary soils, these conditions yield wines defined by balance, aromatic nuance, and precision rather than excess.
At Lonesome Rock, our position at the extreme northwestern edge of the valley heightens these influences, shaping wines with lifted aromatics, clarity of fruit, and a distinctly mineral-driven structure.