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I’m not only a big lover of wine, but also an avid wine traveler. I’ve gone wine tasting everywhere from Hungary, to France, to Napa. As someone who called Northern California home for over a decade, Napa and Sonoma were practically my backyard (humblebrag not intended). But Oregon’s Willamette Valley? That’s been on my sip list forever — and I finally made it this past May.
Spoiler alert: it may just be my favorite wine getaway of all time.
How do I know I loved it? Because I did something I never do — I joined not one but two wine clubs before leaving (which means I’ll definitely be back).
What (and Where) Is Willamette Valley?
Don’t worry if you’re not familiar — I knew Willamette mostly as a label on the excellent Pinot Noirs I drank for years. But this region is so much more than a pretty bottle.
Willamette Valley is Oregon’s premier wine country, located about an hour south of Portland. It stretches roughly 150 miles long and 60 miles wide, filled with fertile farmland, charming small towns, and over 700 wineries! It’s especially famous for Pinot Noir, unoaked Chardonnay, and hazelnuts — in case you needed a snack.
What makes it stand out? That perfect mix of world-class wine and laid-back hospitality. No pretentious vibes here — just passionate winemakers, sweeping vineyard views, and some seriously good sipping.
Why I Fell in Love with Willamette Valley Wine Country
Let’s be real: wine tasting can feel a little pretentious. Perhaps even intimidating. But in Willamette Valley, it’s different. It’s warm, welcoming, and incredibly relaxed. No massive tour buses, no reservation madness — just genuine hospitality, stunning scenery, and wines that overdeliver.
Whether you’re a budding enthusiast or a full-blown wine nerd, there’s something for you here. The region’s cool-climate terroir produces Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that rival even Burgundy and Chablis — and they know it. Fun fact: Willamette sits at almost the same latitude as Burgundy, but it’s 50 times the size, meaning a ton of unique microclimates and AVAs to explore.
Where to Stay: McMinnville is the Move
If you’re wine traveling through Willamette Valley, there’s one place I insist you stay: McMinnville. It’s impossibly charming — like Stars Hollow, but with more Pinot.
USA Today named its historic Third Street one of the top 10 main streets in the country, and for good reason. It’s walkable, full of tasting rooms, boutiques, and amazing restaurants. And when it comes to renting a place to stay, you want a stylish loft, a cozy Craftsman home, or a big backyard to grill in, you’ll find it here — without Napa prices.
Where to Eat in McMinnville
- La Rambla – Spanish tapas, pitchers of sangria, and cozy vibes
- Thistle – A rustic-chic farm-to-table spot (named Restaurant of the Year by The Oregonian)
- Grounded Table (formerly Humble Spirit) – Another great farm-to-table option
- The Pub – Around the corner from Grounded Table, this is its casual cousin featuring a simple menu of farm-to-table BBQ fare (the meatloaf was fantastic) and an extensive selection of craft cocktail options incorporating locals spirits
- Taqueria Tulancingo – A hidden gem of a street taco stand further down on Third Street that we ate at several times, it was so good (pro tip: get the beef tongue quesadilla)
How to Get Around Wine Country
Yes, you can rent a car — but please, don’t make your designated driver miss out on the fun. We took a $100–$150 Uber from PDX to McMinnville and hired a local wine tour driver for all 3 of our tasting days. Most charge around $95/hour with a 6-hour minimum (and sometimes a 20% service charge is mandatory) — but it’s 100% worth it.
Our favorite? Niki Volz with A Vineyard Wine Tour. She made the whole experience feel like a wine-fueled joyride with your coolest, most knowledgable friend. She is literally one of the main reasons we had such an amazing time and would go back. (There are also other great options I can recommend if she’s booked — just reach out.)
Where to Drink: My Top Winery Picks in Willamette Valley
I know this is the part you’ve all been waiting for. I did a ton of research and picked the brains of all my wine industry friends before coming here, and I mostly picked my own 3 wineries for each of the 3 days I was in McMinnville (and 3 is about how many I’d recommend on any given day). If your budget allows it, I always recommend doing a paired wine tasting for lunch instead of just snacks and charcuterie boards: it’s just such a great way to highlight the wine, try some local seasonal ingredients, and also just relax for a bit and spend 2 hours at a winery without feeling rushed. So that said, here are the spots that were my favorites based on our experience, all grouped pretty close together within easy driving distance of McMinnville (so obviously, this is not an exhaustive list of the top wineries in Willamette, but what I would consider the best experiences without driving all over the place).
My top 4 must-visits (and where I would join the wine club):
- Soter Vineyards – Soter is a 250-acre biodynamic farm, vineyard, and tasting room offering stunning hilltop views. Their portfolio is quite extensive, with at least 10 different options at any given time, including some single-site wines. Their sparkling rosé was actually one of my favorite tastes here (after the Pinot Noirs, of course). They also have a library collection of some older, magnum-sized wines — which we ended up ordering from. I highly recommend their Provisions Tasting — a 90-minute paired experience featuring ingredients from their own farm and local purveyors ($150 per person for non-members). We did sign up for the wine club here, which lowered the cost to $100.
- Anacréon Winery – This is a small, family-owned winery founded more recently (in 2016) and featuring a smaller portfolio of 4-6 excellent Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. The Epicure Experience here is a lovely food pairing available Thursday-Monday at 11am or 2pm for $145 per person (and limited to 2-8 guests). That’s because you literally get to sit down with the 2 owners, Danell and Kipp Myers (and perhaps their 2 dogs) — in their home’s dining room or beautiful garden out back — weather permitting. This is the other wine club we signed up for, because not only did we love the wines, but we’d absolutely love to hang out with the owners again!
- Ambar Estate – This is Willamette’s first regenerative organic certified winery (opened just a year ago in 2024). While their portfolio is still evolving, Ambar currently offers a tightly curated selection of estate-grown wines, including two Pinot Noirs and two Chardonnays (they actually had our favorite Chardonnay of the trip). The property is amazing, beautifully centered around an enormous sequoia tree with a zen garden, seamlessly blending Japanese elegance into the wooded Willamette Valley, and opening up onto panoramic views of the hills. The Wine & Food Pairing Experience here, at just $125 per person, is a must! Chef Heidi Whitney-Schile honestly deserves a James Beard award or Michelin green star for her creativity and use of local ingredients.
- Granville Winery – This one was actually a recommendation from our local drivers; otherwise, I’m not sure I’d have found it (online or in person, down the small dirt road that leads to this beautiful, hilltop, family-owned gem). It’s the perfect place to relax in the afternoon and look over the valley — maybe after a paired lunch tasting. They have an ultra-premium portfolio of Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, sourced exclusively from their own organic vineyards or those of their friends. Jake, our tasting guide here (or the “vibe master” as their website calls him), was also probably our favorite of the trip!
Honorable Mentions
- Artist Block – Pop art meets Pinot. Funky, fun, and full of surprises — from pét-nat to Syrah. Maybe not for traditionalists (some loud art and louder music), but a great afternoon vibe and perfect way to add something different to a multi-day itinerary.
- Penner-Ash – A bigger, more well-established winery that feels a little less personal. However, that said — it’s a beautiful hilltop tasting room with spectacular flower gardens and views of the valley. For the true wine nerds, it’s also a great spot to dig into specific Willamette AVA’s and microclimates — maybe even do a blind tasting to see which specific type of Pinot Noir you like best.
- ROCO Winery – They have a great porfolio of award-winning sparkling wines — perfect for those who love bubbles! Why is this an honorable mention and not a must-visit? Honestly, I just didn’t love the grounds. With a few patio tables in what feels like more of a backyard vs. en estate overlooking the valley — it just paled next to so many of the other places we went. However, they just acquired the beautiful Spanish-style Marsh Estate earlier this year — so I’m really hoping they move their tasting facilities here!
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
There’s a lot to sip and see in Oregon wine country, but with the right itinerary, Willamette Valley is magic. Whether you’re a Pinot lover, a Chardonnay convert, or just want a scenic getaway with great eats and warm vibes — this place delivers.
Need help planning your Willamette Valley wine travel adventure? I’m always happy to help build a personalized experience for you. Just reach out!
