Oregon’s Willamette Valley is famous for two things: its scenery and its wine, and rightfully so. The volcanic soil, moderate climate and picture-perfect sloping landscape are as ideal for growing grapes (particularly Oregon's famous pinots), as they are for taking in the bucolic landscape. Fortunately, it’s easy for visitors to soak in both the gorgeous views and the luscious vintages thanks to a number of tasting rooms designed to celebrate the Willamette Valley's endless charms.
From splendid vantages of the Cascade Range to vineyard hikes, historic spaces and farm-to-table-snacks, these tasting rooms are the perfect pairing for an Oregon getaway. Not only that, you don't have to drive far from cities like Portland, Eugene, and Salem to find a winning flight.
Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Tasting Room
The Willamette Valley Estate Tasting Room is located in Turner, just outside Salem. It boasts spectacular views of their vineyard, beautifully framed by undulating hills in the distance. The tasting room is large and open with options for indoor and outdoor seating. Fireplaces throughout create a cozy, conversational setting.
Enhanced experiences include private tours and seated tastings accompanied by food pairings. For those who want more information about the winery, a free behind the scenes tour takes place every day at 2 pm. Come hungry – in addition to standard winery fare like cheese plates and flatbreads, a full kitchen prepares dishes like Garden Capellini Pasta, Thai Red Curry Steelhead, and Lettuce Wraps.
Willamette Valley Vineyards also offers two large, luxurious suites with private balconies, treating you to the same spectacular views of the tasting room in the privacy of your own space. It’s like owning your own vineyard for the night.
St Joseph’s Winery
St Joseph’s Winery is located in the picturesque farming community of Canby, just a half-hour from Portland. The winery prides itself on making wine which pairs well with food without breaking the bank. The atmosphere is warm and friendly with cozy indoor seating options in winter and a patio seating to enjoy your wine next to a burbling fountain when the weather is warm.
Adelsheim Vineyard
Adelsheim Vineyard in Dundee is one of the leaders in sustainable wine in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors to their winery can opt for a tasting while taking in breathtaking views of the vineyards or enhanced experiences such as a guided mile-long vineyard hike complete with tastings and light bites or a cave experience, including a tour of the production facility, tasting of delicious limited production wine, and a delicious platter of local bites in the winery’s underground cave.
Elizabeth Chambers
Elizabeth Chambers Cellars is located in a historic brick power plant building in McMinnville, within walking distance to several other tasting rooms and fabulous restaurants. It’s the perfect destination for anyone who doesn’t want to worry about driving from winery to winery. Elizabeth Chambers Cellars has several tasting options, including a luxe tasting experience featuring a tour of the winery and cheese pairings. There’s even an outdoor courtyard for months when the sun is shining.
Lumos Wine Co.
Lumos Wine Company in Philomath is one of the most serene stops in Willamette Valley wine country. Located on a former dude ranch, the tasting room is set in what they affectionally refer to as the Big Ol’ Barn, with glorious views of the vineyard, Oregon Coast Range, and Mary’s Peak. There’s a wood-burning stove for cold weather and a large, wrap-around deck for warmer months.
If you can’t bring yourself to leave, private overnight accommodations are available in one of the ranch’s original cabins, complete with a large deck, stunning views, modern plumbing and wireless internet access.
King Estate
King Estate grows grapes across more than 1,000 acres of biodynamic vineyards just outside Eugene in Southern Oregon. Their visitor’s center sits atop a hill with panoramic views of vineyards and mountains below. Visitors can sit inside or out to purchase flights of wine and participate in one of the winery’s free hourly tours. King Estate is renowned for its restaurant, which specializes in seasonal, organic fare, including produce grown on the property.
Hawk’s View
Hawk’s View Winery is only a half-hour from downtown Portland, but the lush lawn, expansive vineyard, and spectacular views of Mt. Hood make you feel you’re much further from the city. Visitors can add on a charcuterie platter to their tasting or bring their own food to enjoy while playing lawn games in the seasonal picnic area. In cooler months, the tall ceilings and large windows allow you to take in the views while remaining comfortable and warm.
Archery Summit
When you drive up to Archery Summit in Dayton, you’re treated to majestic views of their vineyard, but the best part of the experience is enjoying your tasting in their elegant underground tasting room. Archery Summit is the only Oregon winery with a wine cave built directly into the bedrock and if you opt for one of their enhanced tastings and tours, you’ll be able to walk through a series of caves to observe their storage and production facility, while tasting wine along the way.
Afterward, enjoy dinner nearby at one of Oregon’s finest restaurants, Joel Palmer House, specializing in foraged truffles and wild mushrooms.
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Soter Vineyards
Soter Vineyards is open for tastings at their biodynamic Mineral Springs Ranch in Carlton every day of the week. Appointments are required, so you’ll need to plan your visit in advance. GPS can be unreliable in the area so the winery recommends downloading the directions from their website and printing them in advance.
Despite the extra steps, it’s worth visiting for the fabulous wines and views of the vineyard and valley. Soter Vineyards offers a classic, seated tasting or enhanced provisions tasting which includes a chef-prepared menu of seasonal dishes focusing on food grown on the ranch or from other sustainable partners in the area.
David Hill Vineyards and Winery
The tasting room at David Hills Vineyards and Winery is located in a farmhouse in Forest Grove built in 1883 and their bottle prices are amongst the most reasonable in the area. The atmosphere is casual and inviting and the grounds are beautiful with views of vineyards and the Oregon Coastal Range. Sample one of their daily tasting flights or indulge in an elevated experience such as a seated tasting or a guided tour through the vineyards.
