Willamette Valley
sip, savor, settle in
Willamette Valley
sip, savor, settle in
RAISE A GLASS to the fertile lands that spoil us
Locals have crowed for decades about this or that award, wine score, and new wine venture. Bragging is no longer necessary – the Willamette Valley is now firmly entrenched AMONG THE WORLD’S PREMIERE WINE-GROWING REGIONS, with its focus on the famously temperamental PINOT NOIR varietal. Other cool-climate grapes including chardonnay, pinot gris and blanc, and riesling are also widely produced, and can emerge as show-stoppers in their own right. Experiences range from private-service in HILLTOP ESTATES to RUSTIC BARNDOOR SETTINGS – don’t judge a book by its cover! We customize your day’s winery roster around your preferences for taste, style, and ambience, and for newbies, casual wine tourists, and serious buyers.
Larger Groups: Wine tasting is a crowd-pleasing activity for off-site corporate events, reunions, and more, but you can’t roll up to just any winery with 10, or 20, or even more drinkers and expect to be served. Let us plan a day with efficient routing to wineries where you’ll find service appropriate to the size of your group. We’ll ensure a diversity of flavors, experiences, and even price points, so everyone has the opportunity to find a liquid souvenir from your adventure.
ITINERARY SNAPSHOTS - where we go, what we do
Wine isn’t everything (or is it?). Let there be a little more to life, by starting your full-day adventure hiking in the foothills of the Cascade mountains, kayaking, or even paddleboarding on the Willamette River or its peaceful tributaries.
Pinched for time, but want to learn the ropes, and swirl some quality pinot noir? Start here, with an introduction to the many different soils of the Willamette Valley and make sure to find a few liquid souvenirs along the way.
High-prestige wineries sit high in the hills, and you’ll thrill at the views – the wine’s pretty good, too. Seated or private tastings are most common, so make sure to plan for a full-day adventure if you want to drink from the top shelf.
Rolling hills, gravel roads, and pleasant surprises can be found just a little further from the city. Head a bit to the south to the area around Salem, the state capitol, to feel the agricultural history of the Willamette Valley and away from the heaviest-trafficked wineries.
With around 400 wineries in the region, there are plenty that fly under the radar, with low production, limited distribution, and humbler cellar doors. This approach could net the highlight of your winery trip and connect you with a label that you’ll thrill for each time a club shipment arrives at your door.
It’s possible to start with active pursuits, travel rural routes, visit a hilltop estate, and find a hidden gem in a day. It’s a big day, requiring an early start and a little flexibility, but who says you can’t have it all? With so many wineries and so much varied terrain, don’t hesitate to plan multiple days, and enjoy the charms of staying in a relaxing wine-country inn or a small town like McMinnville or Dayton, OR.
