Willamette Valley Wineries

Do you like Pinot? Are you familiar with the “prince of Pinot” blog? It’s a good place to start. https://www.princeofpinot.com/
In no particular order we like De Ponte, https://www.princeofpinot.com/, Evasham Wood/Haden Fig, https://eveshamwood.com/, Van Duzer, https://eveshamwood.com/ , and anything from the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Depending on your budget, there’s Archery Summit, and Soter. Reservations recommended at almost all of them.

Thanks! Yes, love Pinot. Can’t wait to start reading about these options!

It's very easy to be overwhelmed, we have a million and one choices and a good fair bit of them are really delightful. You probably can't go wrong with any choice. How many days will you be here?

Lange is one of the original Oregon wineries and it is excellent (reservations required). I like Sineann for robust reds (grapes not grown in Oregon but wine is made here). I'm a wine club member at Illahe Vineyards (ill-uh-hee) a bit farther south from where you are staying. The winery worked really hard to get the newest Oregon AVA designated (Willamette Valley Mt. Pisgah Polk County). They make excellent pinot noirs but also some unusual whites (gruner veltiner, viognier). If it looks good to you send me a PM with your dates and I might be able to work some magic for a tasting.

As noted, you'll need reservations many places. Most will refund the tasting fee ($20-40) with a specified bottle purchase. There are a plethora of tasting rooms you can try a bit of this or that if you get too overwhelmed. And I recommend Joel Palmer House for a special dinner (reservations also required).

A couple more links to overwhelm you (sorry):

https://www.oregonwine.org/visit/

https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/eat-drink/wine-wineries/

If you'd like to explore a variety of wine tastings without visiting several different wineries/vineyards, there are a few towns in the area that have multiple tasting rooms in close proximity. In addition to Newberg, there's Dundee (just down the road hwy 99W), McMinnville (hwy 99W), Carlton (hwy 47, off of 99W) and Amity (also hwy 99W). The Amity/Eola Hills is another good region for pinot noirs. Two of our favorite small wineries in that area are Johan Vineyards and Left Coast Cellars, both on 99W south of Amity.

I'll add that I am neither a wine expert nor a wine snob. I just know what I like. I'm also a frugal wine drinker that doesn't need a big price tag to enjoy a good glass of local wine.

Note also that the same area is also home to a very good craft beer industry. And if you have any interest in aviation you need to stop and see the Spruce Goose at Evergreen.

We have been to Willamette numerous times, and love that area. Another vote for De Ponte; beautiful setting; great wines; knowledgeable host. Our absolute favorite in the area is Ayres Vineyard and Winery; small & family owned. Reservations ahead of time are a must, unless Brad has a scheduled pouring. Our last experience at Argyle was not great. Their new tasting facility is beautiful, but we felt that the quality of the wines has decreased. Even worse was the fact that the host was disengaged, could only read from a script and he had a limited knowledge base. Huge disappointment.

I highly recommend you run...not walk to Dario Pistoni's Rosmarino Osteria for dinner. Dario will transport you to Italy for one of the most memorable dining experiences ever. In addition to his wine dinners, he also offers a la carte experiences. Reservations are absolutely necessary and need to be made ASAP. On our last visit, there were no times available on Open Table, so I called the restaurant, and they were able to accommodate us. https://www.osteriarosmarino.com/. Dario also owns Gusto in Newberg, which is the perfect place to pick up items for a picnic lunch, and there are a few tables there where you can sit and eat. We stop there with our soft sided cooler every day. Food is creative and delicious! https://www.gustonewberg.com/

When we lived there, I worked at a winery so got to know quite a few of them over the years.

My personal favorites are the smaller places. Seufert in Dayton has excellent wines and their price point is not insane. Brick House is another favorite, and that is in Newberg in the Ribbon Ridge area. This one is by appointment only and the wines are not inexpensive. Right near there is Trisaetum which we really like as well. Groachau Cellars in Amity is similar to Seufert with great wines and nice price point. At Chehalem Winery, their pinot gris is quite good. In Sherwood, Blakeslee Is very good, and their setting is gorgeous! Sheila is a perfect host. I knew her when they were just starting the vineyards.

There are loads of restaurants in Newberg/Dundee. My personal favorite is Red Hills Market in Dundee. They have a great local wine and beer selection, and their woodfired pizzas and sandwiches are so good! I will often times bring pizzas home to Seattle because they are that good and we have awful pizza near us, lol.

One thing to note is that the police have a very heavy presence on 99W. Driving through Sherwood, do not even think of going over the speed limit at all. I won't say what their nickname was locally, but I personally know handfuls of people who got tickets for going 3 over. And the red light cameras, make a good long stop before you try to turn right on those. In OR, those tickets do go on your record unlike other states. But most importantly, sip and spit. As I said the police have a very heavy presence and drunk driving in this area is too common. So just something to think about.

CL - We'll have 9 days total. Thanks for the offer to "work some magic." I'll pm you for more info as our itinerary tightens.

Nancy - Thanks for the reminder about tasting rooms. We did a couple of those in Provence, although I must admit that I love visiting a winery! So thanks for those winery suggestions also.

KGC - My husband has already been eyeing craft beer locations. Any favorites to recommend? And yes, the Spruce Goose is already on our itinerary!!

TravelBug79 - Thanks for the winery suggestions and the note about the need for a reservation for some wineries. Also the Osteria sounds delightful. We were in Sicily the first 3 weeks of June and already missing our Italian food fix.

mikliz97 - I appreciate your insightful comments about some of the wineries. The wood-fired pizzas are right up our alley. Often times, a restaurant is listed as having wood-fired pizzas and they turn out to be a disappointment - nice to have a recommendation for a great one. And I do appreciate the warning about the vigilante police presence in the area.

Thanks, all. I hope I didn't miss anyone who responded since I was last online.

mikliz97 - I just noticed that I typed in vigilante instead of vigilant in my response to you. I do know the difference and recognize that you were warning of the "vigilant" efforts of the police in the area. Thanks again.

Chehalem Valley Brewery in Newberg is good.

Newberg/Dundee is a fun area full of beautiful wineries. You can’t really go wrong. We visit often as we have family there. Our favorite winery is
https://domainedrouhin.com/. Red Hills Market in Dundee is one of my favorite lunch spots. Great restaurants for dinner in near by Carlton.

McMenamins is a craft brew place that has grown into a local chain. They started right near Evergreen. The Steelhead in Eugene is very good if you get down that way. If you go into any of the local markets you'll probably see more beers you've never heard of than you can imagine.

I should add that Black Bear is a very popular chain, especially for breakfast.

We live in Forest Grove and are frequent visitors to the wineries between here and Dundee/McMinnville/Newberg.

Bellingar is a small, family run winery on North Valley just outside of Newberg. A delight to visit and often get a chance to chat to the owner.

Lichtenwalter is also a small op run out of the couple’s home. Some of the best Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir we’ve ever had and our favorite Rose.

Domain Divio is scenic and makes excellent wines in the French style with two unusual offerings, Aligote and Pinot Beurot, in addition to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rose.

Some accept walk ins if they are not too busy

Cana’s Feast in Carlton is also excellent and different. Carlton has some great dining, too.

KGC--The first McMenamin's was in northeast Portland where the brothers are from. They opened when I was in college and it was a big deal to go up there from Corvallis :)

Just another quick note for something different; if you're into olive oil tasting you could check out Durant Olive Mill, Dayton. They have a nice gift shop and some really nice flavored dipping oils, especially their truffle oils. They're connected with Durant Red Ridge Farms winery.

Nancy, Renee, KGC, and Laurel (and anyone else I may have forgotten):

Thanks for the additional suggestions. It's so much fun to plan!