Every winter, when the holiday rush recedes and winter’s chill sets in, vintners across the Willamette Valley celebrate the quiet majesty of Cellar Season. Savor the wines of the Willamette Valley this winter with ideas for enjoying your time at local wineries and tasting rooms.
The quiet, laid-back nature of Cellar Season offers an experience you can't enjoy the rest of the year. Here's a rundown of what Cellar Season is, along with what makes it so special.
Cellar Season typically runs January-March—the post-harvest, pre-springtime lull for wineries across the Willamette Valley. Just-harvested wines are safely tucked away in barrels, lending a relaxed vibe to regional tasting rooms.
During Cellar Season, chances are good the person pouring your wine is the person who crafted it—so there's no better time to learn about the winemaking process in an easy-going setting.
Slow down and get cozy while enjoying new releases at your favorite wineries—many of which offer fireplaces, heaters, and even blankets for keeping warm. Learn more about fire pits at wineries, distilleries, and restaurants in the Willamette Valley.
You'll want to keep a few tips in mind while visiting Willamette Valley wineries during Cellar Season. Keep these suggestions in mind when making plans.
Some tasting rooms require reservations, especially for groups of four or more. Visit the websites of tasting rooms and wineries you'd like to visit to learn more about specific policies and, if necessary, to secure an appointment.
During Cellar Season, many wineries may close for breaks or keep reduced hours. It's often a good idea to call ahead to confirm your desired winery will be open when you'd like to visit.
With the valley's varied elevations and topography, road conditions can change in a single drive—especially in winter. Use TripCheck, a tool from the Oregon Department of Transportation that features webcams and up-to-date alerts, to ensure your preferred route is clear—and avoid setting out in inclement weather.
If you're not sure where to start, consider a Willamette Valley wine tour with First Nature Tours.
First Nature Tours offers a high-end, day trip experience where you can get to know the region's wineries, learn about the Willamette Valley's unique ecology, as well as suggestions for enjoying our celebrated wines.
Tours like Hidden Gems Winery tour include a behind-the-scenes look at how wines are crafted, wine-and-food pairings and conversations with passionate vintners while enjoying the fruits of their labor.
With more than 700 wineries dotting the Willamette Valley, there's enough to see and sample to fill a whole weekend. Fortunately, several local lodgings are offering special Cellar Season savings, perks, and discounts in early 2024; here's a map with few popular overnight stays and their offerings:
