The Willamette Valley—also known as Oregon Wine Country—is known the world over for its exquisite wines. Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named it the Wine Region of the Year in 2016, after all, and the heart of the valley's food and wine scene resides around the likes of McMinnville, Newberg, and other communities across the northern Willamette Valley.
Here, several communities host chic tasting rooms, elegant eateries, and charming downtown cores—and sit sandwiched between more than 30,000 acres of grapevines. Add it all up, and you have one of the most celebrated wine scenes in all of Oregon. Elsewhere in the area, hiking trails, posh restaurants, and seasonal celebrations add to the charm and create a vibrant atmosphere all year long.
See what makes Oregon Wine Country tick with these exciting day trips and one-of-a-kind experiences.
The heart of McMinnville is its inviting Third Street corridor—teeming with mom-and-pop boutiques, artisan shops, farm-to-table restaurants, cozy cafés, bustling brewpubs, and local, urban tasting rooms. (Numerous estate vineyards sit just outside of town and also welcome visitors year round.)
A short walk away, the Alpine District (formerly known as the Granary District) hosts an exciting hodgepodge of brewpubs, lounges, casual eateries, boutiques, coffee shops, and other fun stops—most of which are housed in old-school grain buildings and a defunct feed mill. The buildings have all been refurbished, breathing new life into this hub of activity just outside of McMinnville’s downtown core.
Heading through McMinnville as part of a longer tour of Oregon? Consider making the community part of your wine country road trip—where notable wineries, family-friendly attractions, and overnight stays reside along (and just off) Highway 18.
Finally, it helps to do a little planning: May is Oregon Wine Month, when wineries across the region offer vintage pours, host exclusive tastings, and put on other fun events. All year long, keep in mind that Oregon wine flies free with Alaska Airlines.
The rolling hillsides around Newberg host some of the most beautiful wineries in the Willamette Valley—where lavish tasting rooms are set amid spacious estates, where picnic tables encourage al fresco tastings, and where sweeping views range from native oak woodlands to the snow-capped peak of Mount Hood.
Take a break from wine tasting, and get outdoors on accessible hikes around the likes of Newberg and McMinnville. Mostly flat trails head through nearby national wildlife refuges, pass springtime wildflower displays, traverse forests at a long-standing abbey, and more.
In summer, make time for a jaunt along the self-guided Newberg Lavender Trail. Between late June and August, the community celebrates its namesake plant with u-pick opportunities, markets, art exhibits, fairs, festivals, lavender-infused food and drink at local eateries, special packages at area lodgings, and other fun events.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with bouncing between tasting rooms and kicking back on sun-kissed patios around the Willamette Valley. Take your trip to the next level, however, with guided tours, luxury tastings, and other experiences that offer exclusive peeks and pours—and head into the heart of our award-winning wines.
If you’re new to the Willamette Valley’s biggest attraction, get started with our beginner’s guide to wine tasting—which explains the allure of our world-class wines, tasting etiquette, the different seasons in Oregon Wine Country, and how to plan the perfect outing.
Whether you’re tasting for the first time or are a seasoned pro with multiple wine club memberships, see why to book a guided tour on your next visit to the Willamette Valley. Letting a local lead the way can mean easier planning, behind-the-scenes tours, and (perhaps most helpfully) no driving.
We’ve also rounded up a few luxury tastings and tours that showcase the finer side of the region’s wine scene—including private tastings, creative food pairings prepared by thoughtful chefs, cellar tours, and other one-of-a-kind experiences.
If you’re visiting between January and March, indulge in the magic of Cellar Season. During this quiet stretch, sip new vintages around crackling fireplaces, chat with the winemakers, and enjoy fun events that embrace the post-holidays cozy vibes.
Need help planning your visit to Oregon Wine Country—whether in McMinnville, Newberg, or elsewhere around the Willamette Valley? The Willamette Valley Wineries Association’s trip-planning page includes links, resources, tips, and more.
