The last time I checked, the Willamette Valley is home to more than 700 wineries.
By Steve Fox, Principle Broker/Owner, Pinot Noir Properties
With so many quality wineries around here, how do you plan a wine tasting day or weekend when you have such a wealth of choices?
Some people gravitate to the “well-known” labels that are familiar in places like Costco or Safeway. Others are drawn by the smaller wineries – looking for hidden gems and great wine at affordable prices. Frankly, I’ve done both and I can honestly say that either way is fine. But there’s only so much time (even when it comes to tasting wine) and the number of wineries can be head-spinning.
So if you’re ready to start sipping some great wine, here are a few tips that I’ve learned through experience and from a few wine industry friends:
Plan Ahead: Many wineries have changed their policies post-COVID, so be sure to check with your destination in advance regarding group size, reservations, vaccinations, and venue capacity. The last thing you want to have happen is to arrive at a winery or tasting room and be told it’s “by reservation only.” Some places accept walk-ins, but always check first.
Get a Designated Driver: For a safe and hassle-free day of tasting, try leaving the driving to someone else. You can look into the local tour services such as NW Wine Shuttle, Serendipity Wine Tours, and Oregon Select Wine Tours (to name just a few) that are convenient and fun.
Beat the Crowds: Ask any local and one of the first things they’ll say is don’t go tasting on a weekend unless you have to. Weekdays can offer the same great experience with a fraction of the crowds – especially during the busy summer and fall tasting months. In addition, mid-week means appointments will be easier to make (if they’re even required) and you’ll have a better chance to spend time talking with the professionals at the wineries about their wines.
Try Something New: There’s more to our wine region than Pinot Noir! So why not try a new type of wine or grape varietal during your wine tasting? Sure, the Pinot’s great – but what a perfect chance to try something new and delicious!
Pick a Location: Not sure where you want to go tasting? One thing I do is to pick one of the Willamette Valley towns and visit a few of their tasting rooms. Here are some favorites:
- Carlton: A small town with a big wine and food heart. Popular wineries are Cana’s Feast, K & M Wines, Ken Wright Cellars, and Marshall Davis. Top eateries include Barrel 47, Earth & Sea Restaurant, and the Horse Radish.
- Dundee: You could easily spend a weekend visiting the excellent wineries in this small town 10 minutes from Carlton. It offers a variety of tasting choices – from large venues to small. Some favorites include Sokol Blosser, The Four Graces, Torii Mor, Purple Hands and Argyle.
- Newberg: A couple of miles from central Newberg are dozens of wineries located on countryside vineyard estates. Some of the more popular ones include Adelsheim, Rex Hill, Colene Clemens, and J. Christopher Wines. And if you want to stay close by in style, think about the Allison. It’s s 5-star hotel and restaurant right in the heart of the wine county.
To learn more about the Willamette Valley wine region, visit Oregon Pinot Noir. And let me know if you’ve visited some local wineries you really enjoyed – I’m always on the lookout for great wine. Cheers!