Your Guide To Wine Tasting In Willamette Valley
When Alaska Airlines added a nonstop flight between Nashville and Portland, it took less than a week to make it out of the group chat and planning to commence. While I’ve had the opportunity to explore Napa and the English countryside, Willamette Valley is one place that has been on my bucket list for quite some time.
Known as one of the premier pinot-producing areas in the world, Willamette Valley is an ideal destination for Oenophiles.
Some would argue that Willamette Valley offers more than wine tasting. In fact, the area has developed quite a renowned culinary scene, attracting locals and tourists alike. If that’s not your thing and you want to unplug from the day-to-day chaos and connect with nature, endless opportunities exist to soak up the beautiful landscape and go mountain biking or hiking.
With over 900 wineries, planning a trip can be daunting, to say the least. The more I researched, the more befuddled I became. To help my fellow wine enthusiasts, I’ve pulled together all the details you will need for an incredible weekend, including transportation, accommodations, and a two-day itinerary for exploring the best wineries in Willamette Valley.
travel & Transportation
If you aren’t local, the best place to fly into will be Portland, roughly an hour from Willamette Valley. Depending on your group size and trip plans, you may consider renting a car or hiring a driver.
For this trip, we booked with M&H Transportation for airport pick-up upon arrival and for drop-off in downtown Portland once our wine tasting concluded. Not only were they highly recommended by our hotel, but they were also reliable and reasonably priced. They do everything from wine tours to general transportation throughout Willamette Valley, including airport pick-up and drop-off.
M&H Transportation
Website & Contact Information
We opted out of renting a car and left the driving to the experts. We worked with Chris at Wine-O-Palooza to arrange transportation to and from tastings, and he made it incredibly easy. Chris and his team are more than happy to help plan your wine tours. But if you're like me and have your winery reservations, you can share the details of your itinerary, and he will make sure that you are delivered promptly and in one piece!
Various options are available depending on the size of your group, including the Pinot Prius, which accommodates up to four guests, and the Chardonnay Shuttle, which accommodates up to seven guests. I couldn't have been more pleased with our experience and highly recommend reaching out to them for your transportation needs.
Wine-o-palooza
Website and Contact Information
Image courtesy of the Wine-O-Palooza website
You might be thinking, why not just Uber/Lyft to the wineries? While that's a great idea, it's one left for Napa and Sonoma—not Willamette. I tried numerous times to see if rideshare was available, and there was not one driver in sight. We talked briefly about it with some locals, and after COVID, it was as if Uber/Lyft disappeared.
Where To Stay
Atticus Hotel | McMinnville, Oregon
Atticus Hotel
375 NE Ford St, McMinnville, OR 97128
Website and Instagram
Located in the heart of Oregon wine country, McMinnville offers a selection of hotels and boutique lodging experiences for those looking for a little wine country getaway. Choosing your hotel accommodations is critical for any trip, but even more so for the Willamette Valley. It was important for us to be centrally located near the wineries to avoid spending excessive amounts of time in the car, and we also wanted to be in a location that allowed us to be within walking distance of restaurants and wine bars. And we found the perfect place- in fact, I am already looking at dates for 2025.
Perfectly positioned off Third Street, the Atticus Hotel is nestled in the heart of McMinnville. From the hotel, guests can walk to over twenty tasting rooms, enjoy an assortment of cuisine, and explore over 250 wineries within a 20-mile radius. Need I say more?
From the moment I made the reservation, the staff was incredibly hospitable. During our call, they shared some of their favorite places and followed up with a list of top recommendations, from restaurants to wineries to transportation companies. Little did I know, the staff is known for being exceptionally friendly and helpful, ensuring guests have everything they need for a great stay.
The property boasts 36 rooms and an on-site restaurant and bar. If guests are feeling adventurous, Dutch-style bicycles are available.
Each guest room at the Atticus Hotel is individually decorated with local art and custom furnishings, providing a distinct and memorable stay. Aside from the hospitality, one of my favorite things about the hotel was the fact that each guest room door was adorned with a different knocker. I enjoyed seeing the variation among the rooms as I made my way to the elevator each morning. Maybe I am biased, but I loved the woodpecker knocker I had.
The Atticus Hotel emphasizes its connection to the local community, showcasing local artisans, products, and culture. Staying here provides a more immersive and authentic experience of McMinnville and the Willamette Valley.
Lastly, for those traveling with their four-legged companions, the Atticus offers pet-friendly accommodations, ensuring that every member of the family is welcome.
Pro-Tip | Given this property's prime location and popularity, securing your reservation should be one of the first things you do.
Where To Drink
The Willamette Valley is internationally acclaimed for its Pinot Noir, often compared to the high-quality Pinot Noir wines of Burgundy, France. The region's cool climate and fertile soils provide ideal growing conditions for this grape variety. If Pinots aren't for you, the valley produces excellent Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and sparkling wines. However, with over 900 wineries in the area, narrowing your choices to six or eight vineyards can become quite overwhelming. So, doing your research is vital. To say I went down a rabbit hole is an understatement. From Reddit threads, blog posts, and Wine Enthusiast articles, I read anything I could get my hands on. I cross-referenced that information with recommendations from the Atticus and some of my favorite local restaurants to narrow my list. The only winery I was familiar with before my trip was Day Wines, so I knew I wanted to add it to the itinerary.
Below, you will find the two itineraries I curated for the trip.
Day One Itinerary
Abbott Claim | Underground Barrel Cellar
Located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Abbott Claim is renowned for producing exceptional Pinot Noir reflecting the unique terroir. The winery practices sustainable farming and viticulture with an emphasis on preserving the environment and maintaining biodiversity. Abbott Claim is known for its artisan approach to winemaking, which focuses on small-lot, handcrafted wine.
This was a perfect start to the trip, as Abbott Claim offers a personalized and intimate tasting experience. Greeted with a lovely glass of bubbles, the tour started with an overview of the property. We then made our way through these incredible carved doors, only to enter the underground barrel cellar for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The pairing with the 2021 Temperance Hill Chardonnay is literally to die for.
Abbott Claim wine isn’t easy to come by, so if you find something you love, I’d recommend making a purchase. If there’s no room in your suitcase, they do offer shipping.
Tariff: $75.00/ person ( Tasting fee is waived with a three-bottle purchase)
Experience Duration: 90 minutes
Reservation Inquiries
Abbott Claim | Underground Barrel Cellar
Abbott Claim | Underground Barrel Cellar
Abbott Claim | Underground Barrel Cellar
Abbott Claim | Bite Pairing With 2021 Temperance Hill Chardonnay
Abbott Claim | Bite Pairing With 2021 Temperance Hill Chardonnay
Soter Vineyard
The second stop of the day was at Soter Vineyards. In addition to their Pinot Noir, they are celebrated for their exceptional sparkling wines, which are crafted using the traditional Champenoise method. Soter Vineyards has a stunning estate. Located on Mineral Springs Ranch, the 240-acre property offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and vineyards, making it the perfect backdrop for wine tasting and relaxation.
Soter offers several tasting options, but I opted for the MSR Classic Tasting, which included four of the currently released wines. With the MSR tasting, guests can add a cheese or charcuterie board to snack on throughout. Given it was the second stop of the day, I was thankful for the midday snack. If schedules allowed, I would have loved to try the Provisions Tasting, a guided tasting accompanied by lunch. I could sneak a peek at some of the dishes, and they looked fantastic! Oddly enough, I found the Origins Series Pinot Blanc to be my favorite. It was bright, refreshing, and offered a nice break from the Pinot Noirs.
Tariff: $45.00/ person ( $10.00 deposit is taken at the time of reservation. The remaining $35.00 can be waived with a two-bottle purchase)
Experience Duration: 45 minutes
Reservation Inquiries
Soter Vineyard | Chef’s Choice Board- MSR Classic Tasting
Soter Vineyard | 2023 Soter Vineyards Origins Series Pinot Blanc
Brick House Vineyards
Our third and final stop was at a winery highly recommended by one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville, City House. Brick House Vineyards was founded by Doug Tunnell, a former CBS news correspondent who returned to his Oregon roots to pursue his passion for winemaking. His dedication to quality and sustainable farming has earned Brick House quite an acclaim, making it a must-visit for anyone serious about experiencing the best of Willamette Valley wines.
Brick House offers intimate, appointment-only tastings, providing a personalized experience where you can learn about the vineyard’s history, winemaking philosophy, and farming practices. The winery’s tasting room is located in a charming, historic farmhouse, offering a cozy and welcoming environment for guests.
Guests can choose from two experiences: Classic or Vineyard Tour and Tasting. We selected the Classic Tasting and had the opportunity to try five wines from their current portfolio. Like many wineries, many wines sampled during the tasting are available only at the winery or through their wine club.
While I enjoyed the summer tasting flight, I purchased the 2023 Rose of Pinot Noir and the 2022 Select Pinot Noir. I would have easily snagged a few more bottles, but I knew I had another day of tasting in front of me.
Tariff: $30.00/ person ( Tasting fee is waived with qualifying purchase)
Experience Duration: 60 minutes
Reservation Inquiries
Day two Itinerary
Now that you’ve had time to rest and reflect on the previous day, it’s time to start drinking!
Day two was carefully curated around “A Very Nice Lunch” offered at Antica Terra. This lunch is only offered Friday through Sunday, but we will get into those details shortly. If you’re a fine dining connoisseur, this is one you won’t want to miss.
First things first, proper fuel is critical to survive a day of wine tasting. I’d recommend grabbing coffee and a pastry at Alchemist Jam. If you want something a little heartier, check out Wildwood Cafe, a retro-Americana cafe serving a fantastic breakfast. You can’t go wrong with either.
Alchemist Jam | McMinnville, Oregon
Wildwood Cafe | McMinnville, Oregon
Wildwood Cafe | Grilled Cheese + Bacon + Homemade Bread
Our first stop of the day is at Patricia Green Cellars. I fell head over heels in love with this winery. It’s one place I will always visit each time I make the pilgrimage to the Willamette Valley.
Patricia Green Cellars
Like many wineries across Willamette Valley, Patricia Green Cellars is known for producing high-quality Pinot Noir wines. Situated in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, the winery specializes in Pinot Noir, showcasing the variety's expression across different vineyard sites. While Pinot Noir is their primary focus, the vineyard has a diverse portfolio, producing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo, and even its very own Whiskey!
What makes Patricia Green Cellars so special? Patricia Green co-founded Patricia Green Cellars in 2000, but her involvement in Oregon's wine industry dates back to the 1980s. At that time, the Willamette Valley was still establishing itself as a premier wine region, particularly for Pinot Noir. She began her winemaking career in 1986 at Adelsheim Vineyard, one of Oregon's oldest wineries. In 1993, she became the winemaker at Torii Mor Winery, which was a notable achievement for a woman in the industry at that time. Patricia Green's contributions have been part of a broader movement that has seen more women enter and succeed in the wine industry, particularly in Oregon.
Patricia Green Cellars
As you can see from the photo below, we had a terrible time and tasted no wine whatsoever. Quite frankly, I had the most challenging time deciding what I would bring home. Thank goodness Alaska Airlines allows you to check a case of wine for free, making it a little easier. My two favorite Pinot Noirs were the Medici and the Ridgeway, both of which came home with me, along with a few bottles of rose and even a couple of bottles of whiskey. Like, I could say no.
If you are reading this and only choose one winery to visit, Patricia Green should be it. It was a phenomenal experience, with incredible hospitality and some of the most delicious wines that have ever crossed my lips.
Tariff: $50.00/person (Tasting fee is waived with a $150.00 purchase)
Experience Duration: 60-90 minutes
Reservation Inquiries
Patricia Green Cellars | Our Pinot Noir Tasting Lineup
Patricia Green Cellars | Assorted Wines And Gorgeous Labels
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch Menu ( Friday, August 2, 2024)
As I mentioned earlier, our itinerary was centered around Antica Terra’s “A Very Nice Lunch,” which is only offered Friday through Sunday at 12:30 pm. The brilliant chef at Antica Terra, Timothy Wastell, created the most incredible multi-course lunch, paired with six wines from the Antica Terra cellar and library. This menu is hyper-seasonal, featuring the gifts of the Pacific Northwest.
Admittedly, I knew NOTHING about Antica Terra until I started planning this trip. I did a deep dive and ended up on Reddit, where people could not stop talking about Antica Terra wines. I began to dig a little deeper and found out their wines are incredibly exclusive and not widely distributed unless you are a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Upon arrival, we were whisked to our own private cellar room, where we were greeted with Champagne. The menu indicated that we would be served some afternoon snacks. Typically, these are a few small bites to captivate your attention and excite you for what’s to come.
Chef Wastell went above and beyond, starting our lunch with ELEVEN snacks. My jaw literally dropped. Not only were they incredible, but at one point, I lost track of what we were eating.
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | First Snack
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | Comprehensive Snack Line-Up
Our first formal course was perhaps the most magnificent crudité platter I’ve ever seen. Everything was so flavorful and delicious.
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | Crudités Of August Vegetables & Fruits + Walla Walla Onion + Shiro Miso
Our next course was on the lighter side, featuring Oregon Albacore, Marvel Stripe Heirloom Tomatoes, and Herbs.
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | Oregon Albacore + Marvel Stripe Heirloom Tomatoes + Herbs
As a prelude to our next course, the staff poured our first glass of Antica Terra Wine, Aurata, a lovely Chardonnay. It complements the Halibut Wrapped In Fig Leaf quite nicely. And I must say, I’ve never had such a delightful pairing. Aside from the exquisite food and wine, the labels on the Antica Terra bottles were incredibly interesting and really stood out.
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | 2021 Aequorin Chardonnay
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | 2021 Aurata Chardonnay
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | Halibut Wrapped In Fig Leaf + Wildflower Butter
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | 2021 Antica Terra Botanica Pinot Noir
2021 Sylvain Pataille | Le Chapitre Marsanny
Our last savory course was one of my favorite pairings of the lunch: Oak Roasted Eye of Mishima Ranch Beef Rib, Chanterelles, Lapins Cherries, and Tropea Onion served with 2021 Antica Terra Botanica Pinot Noir The wine was such a standout that I ended up bringing a bottle back to Nashville.
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | Oak Roasted Eye of Mishima Ranch Beef Rib + Chanterelles + Lapins Cherries + Tropea Onion
Isn’t it funny that no matter how satisfied you may feel as your meal is coming to a close, you always find room for dessert? I was borderline in a food coma after the copious amount of snacks and savory courses, but when the staff brought out Rich Lady Peach and Peach Leaf Pizzelle, I did not hesitate. 10/10 would recommend!
Antica Terra | A Very Nice Lunch | Rich Lady Peach + Peach Leaf Pizzelle
Tariff: A Very Nice Lunch is $295.00/person with the standard wine pairing. For those interested in adding the rarities pairing, it’s $495.00/person
Experience Duration: two hours
Reservation Inquiries
Day Wines
Our last stop of the day was at Day Wines at Day Camp. Led by winemaker Brianne Day, Day Wines is known for its focus on natural, minimal-intervention winemaking. While many of the wineries in Willamette Valley are known for their focus on a single varietal, Day Wines produces a diverse array of wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and more unusual varietals like Malvasia, Syrah, and Chenin Blanc. This eclectic selection means there's something for everyone, whether you're a traditionalist or an adventurous wine lover. Day Camp is designed to be approachable and fun, with a laid-back vibe that invites you to linger and enjoy your wine. It was by far the most casual tasting of the day, which was quite the juxtaposition as we had just left Antica Terra.
I was introduced to Day Wines during a dinner at City House, where I enjoyed a bottle of Zibibbo. As the story goes, I fell in love with the wine, which usually means one thing- I won’t be able to source the bottle myself in the Nashville area. Of course, the restaurant had purchased all the bottles in the area. Womp Womp. So, as I started thinking about wineries to visit, Day Wines was at the top of my list.
During our visit, we sampled five different wines from the portfolio. I’d encourage you to have a conversation with your host, as there may be wines you are interested in that they aren’t currently pouring but could let you sample. This tasting was an absolute delight, and I purchased four bottles: Tears of Vulcan, Vin de Days l'Orange x2, and Twinkle Twinkle. Day Wines is truly a gem with some fantastic wines that are reasonably priced. Add this place to your list. One thing to note is that the pours are a little on the smaller side, but after a day of exploring the valley, it’s probably best.
Tariff: $25.00/ person ( Tasting Fee waived with the purchase of four bottles)
Duration: 60-90 minutes; guests can take as much or as little time as needed—provided there’s not a party waiting for their table.
Reservation Inquiries
If you’ve made it to the end of this post, congratulations. I know it was a lengthy post.
For my wine enthusiasts contemplating a trip to the Willamette Valley, I can’t say enough wonderful things about my experience. Visiting the valley is much more than just wine tasting. You learn about Oregon’s viticulture, the history of the winemakers, and what makes each of these wineries so extraordinary. I hope you have found this information helpful as you embark upon your wine adventures. Please reach out if you have any questions or want to visit any of the recommended wineries! I’d love to help you plan your trip or hear about your experience. Cheers, friends!
Until Next Time!