Learn Something New with Hands-On Food and Wine Classes
When traveling, classes and workshops offer a fun way to connect with the communities you visit—and the Willamette Valley is no exception. We’re home to a renowned wine and culinary scene, and you have plenty of chances to see how it happens—and learn a new skill—from several of our top farmers, makers, wineries, and chefs. On your next visit, for instance, it’s possible to enrich your experience by following in the footsteps of world-class winemakers, foraging for a regional delicacy, crafting a colorful wreath from fresh-cut lavender, or even milking a cow on a family-run farm.
To help inspire a fun and educational outing, here’s a guide to creative classes, workshops, and hands-on experiences across the Willamette Valley.
Take a Creative Cooking Class
Just outside Wilsonville, where the hustle and bustle of the Portland area gives way to rolling hillsides and rich farmland, The Kitchen at Middleground Farms has earned adulation for small-group culinary experiences and cooking classes for enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Classes generally range from two to three hours, allow attendees to participate as much as they feel comfortable with, and cover a variety of topics and experiences—from seasonally driven courses on soups and stews to deep dives into topics like Indian spices and Thai street fare. Occasional winemaker dinners spotlight demonstrations and pairings with Oregon-made wines. Ingredients for each class come from the on-site, 17-acre farm or are procured from nearby growers and producers whenever possible. See upcoming classes at The Kitchen at Middleground Farms, and get the scoop on all the great farm-to-table experiences in the Willamette Valley.
Forage for Truffles, a Willamette Valley Delicacy
Every winter, foragers head into forests around the Willamette Valley and dig for some of the region's most prized delicacies: truffles.
Truffle season is a fun time in the Willamette Valley, with truffle-infused menus showing up at acclaimed restaurants, festivals celebrating the flavorful fungi, and—of course—memory-making foraging adventures in our bucolic forests. In particular, outfitter Black Tie Tours offers a pair of guided foraging trips that take you off the beaten path and into the heart of truffle season. Its Bougie Truffle Tromp, in particular, ends with a post-forage lunch, prepared by a local chef, that incorporates the day's find; it all pairs well with pours from a local winemaker. For more, get the scoop on truffle foraging in the Willamette Valley.
Try Milking a Cow at TMK Creamery
At TMK Creamery near Canby, you can always snack on grilled cheese sandwiches, perfectly fried curds, and decadent milkshakes—all of which use dairy from the creamery’s “cowlebrities”.
But if you’d like to take your visit a little further, it’s possible to go behind the scenes, roll up your sleeves, and help those products get made. In addition to self-guided tours of the TMK Creamery facility, visitors can register for exclusive, small-group tours that include feeding young cows, sampling artisan cheese, exploring the on-site distillery, and even milking cows. Get all the details on TMK's Premium Cowlebrity Tour, and start planning your farm adventure today. Learn more about other fun family activities around Canby and the foothills of Mount Hood.
Blend Your Own Wine at Willamette Valley Vineyards
Have you ever tried a truly divine Pinot Noir and wondered how they do it?
Wonder no more. The award-winning Willamette Valley Vineyards gives visitors the chance to try their hand at winemaking with its Pinot Noir Clonal Blending Experience. A winery employee will offer guidance while visitors learn about Pinot Noir clones and craft their custom cuvée; afterward, amateur winemakers will walk home with a 750-ml bottle of their unique wine. Each session includes wine credit if you'd like to pick up a bottle from the winery. And if you’re not quite ready to call it a day, stick around the Willamette Valley Vineyards tasting room; there’s a good reason we named it one of 10 beautiful wineries in the Willamette Valley.
Learn All About the Tea-Making Process
At the western edge of Salem, Minto Island Tea Company crafts organic, small-batch teas—and is one of the nation's only such outfits. Its farmstand is well worth a visit each summer—delivering a mix of plant starts, food, and cool beverages—but the tea grower also offers a variety of ways to see how it all happens.
An Annual Open House includes tours of the Minto Island processing room, tea tastings, and a trip through the signature 35-acre tea plot. If you can't make the open house, occasional tours may be available in spring and summer, as well.
Make Your Own Lavender Wreath
Every summer, the Newberg Lavender Trail celebrates the season by bringing pops of purple to farms and gardens across the northern Willamette Valley. Roughly two-dozen stops along the self-guided trail offer the chance to marvel at and cut your own bundles of the vibrant plant, as well as opportunities to sample lavender-infused food and drink items.
Wayward Winds Lavender takes that experience to another level with classes that show how to craft 12-inch wreaths with fresh lavender. Each session takes place on the Wayward farm and includes instruction from an experienced wreathmaker and your choice of lavender-infused food items—including lemonade, iced tea, or a snow cone. Other summertime events on the farm include a butterfly release, yoga, and sound baths.
See How to Butcher a Pig
In February 2026, Abbey Road Farm—home to one of the most luxurious overnight stays in Oregon Wine Country—is hosting a class that helps deepen our connection with the Willamette Valley’s locally minded food scene.
Over the course of five hours, attendees will learn how to butcher a pig. The event includes a tour of the farm, insight from an Abbey Road farmer, and instruction on how to break down, butcher, and preserve pork from the farm’s renowned chef—followed by a meal and glass of wine. Each attendee will leave with their own 10-pound portion of pork. If you missed out, keep an eye on the Abbey Road events calendar for other upcoming classes and workshops.
