Looking for a weekend trip from Portland that isn’t a forest, the coast, or snowy peaks, but a culinary highlight? Then the Oregon Wine Country is your choice! With 877 vineyards and 676 wineries located in the Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene, the Oregon Wine Country offers the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in the entire state. With a driving distance of only 1 hour, this is perfect for a day or weekend trip from Portland.

Things to do in the Oregon Wine Country

Wine tasting and vineyard hopping: This is a no-brainer – when visiting the Oregon Wine Country, your main activity should be tasting and drinking wine.

But wait: Is there actually a difference between a vineyard and a winery as both descriptions can be found on signs throughout the Wine Country? Yes, it might sound confusing, but it’s simple: A vineyard is where grapes grow, a winery is where wine is produced. So, you could have a vineyard without a winery and vice versa. And then there are cellars: the place where wine is stored and aged. The most important part of this article though is: In the Oregon Wine Country you can go to either a vineyard, winery, or cellar and enjoy excellent wine tasting.

In the Oregon Wine Country, you’ll definitely be spoiled for choices. Not only when deciding which tasting room to go to first, but also for the wine selection. While the Willamette Valley is best known for Pinot Noir, you’ll also find Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and other choices.

Wineries & tasting rooms close to Portland

I cannot list all wineries and tasting rooms here, as there are simply too many and too many great options. I’m convinced you’ll find your own favorite and the Willamette Valley Visitors Association will help you navigate.

Here’s a small selection of wineries close to Portland that I’ve already been to or have been recommended:

Stoller Family Estate, Dayton

Indoor & outdoor tastings as well as great food options (beyond cheese and crackers). You can choose to sit on their terrace or on their lawn with great views of the surrounding countryside. Definitely a popular winery, but it deserves its fame. Stoller Family Estate

Chris James Cellars, Carlton

Small wine cellar off the grid that offers intimate tastings and workshops at their vineyard in Carlton as well as their tasting room in McMinneville. The best part: You can bring your own tent or trailer and camp in the middle of their vineyard. For more details check below section „Where to stay in the Oregon Wine Country“
Chris James Cellars

I haven’t been to the following wineries yet, but they are recommendations of friends. So these are the ones I’ll check out next!

• Brooks Wine, Amity
• Maysara Winery, McMinnville
• Domaine Roy & fils, Dundee

While many wineries offer food, the selection depends from vineyard to winery to cellar. I would definitely recommend stopping at the cute little towns like Newberg or McMinneville for tasty brunch and dinner options before you continue your wine tasting tour South towards Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene.

Oregon Wine Country restaurant tips

• Broder Söder – still part of Portland, but a great option to start off your trip Southwest with a Scandinavian brunch.

• The Newbergundian Bistro, Newberg – we came by this French restaurant coincidentally and were absolutely overwhelmed by the taste and quality of food. Definitely worth checking out for either brunch, lunch, or dinner!

• Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery, Newberg (no food, just snacks) – if you fancy a beer in between your wine tasting, you should check out this beer garden. Definitely try their Hazelnut brew if they have it on draft!

• Community Plate, McMinneville – stylish café with delicious breakfast and brunch options in the middle of small shops

• Red Hills Market, Dundee – gourmet sandwiches & wood-fired pizza (I haven’t been there yet myself)

With all those choices around, you can easily make the Oregon Wine Country a weekend trip and even add some activities to your itinerary.

Outdoor activities in the Willamette Valley

Nestled between the Cascade Mountain Range to its East and the Pacific Coast to its West the Willamette Valley is a great starting point for outdoor activities. No matter if you are into hiking, river rafting, or chasing waterfalls. You definitely should make some space to get yourself moving.

My favorite hikes in the Willamette Valley

• Silver Falls State Park – hike the Trail of 10 Falls (7.4 miles / 12 km loop / 1,210 ft / 379 m elevation)

• Abiqua Falls: iconic free-falling waterfall of 92 feet /28 m in height

If you just fancy a relaxed weekend getaway: Stop at the local farms and shop farm-fresh products, pick your own berries, or visit one of Oregon’s colorful flower and lavender fields.

Local farms + flower fields worth visiting

• GRAHAM & TOOZE, Sherwood – mother & daughter-owned and run boutique farm that sells fresh farm produce, locally grown and cultivated goods from local brands, and hosts farm events like farm-to-table dinners and markets.
• WOODEN SHOE TULIP FARM, Woodburn – best visited during their yearly tulip festival in April. If you’ve missed this: They have a wine tasting room as well that’s open year-round
• WAYWARD WINDS LAVENDER FARM, Newberg – lavender field open for U-cut with lots of vintage accessories and a maze
• RED BERRY BARN, Sherwood – farm shop & bakery, known for homemade pies and ice cream. They have a lovely sunflower field to check out in summer!

Where to stay in the Oregon Wine Country

The options to stay at the Oregon Wine Country are as extensive as the Willamette Valley itself. Due to the proximity to Portland, I haven’t stayed often enough out there myself to give you extensive recommendations. But I would say it’s worth checking out accommodation options when you haven’t determined a designated driver and don’t want to drive 1.5 hours back to Portland after having tasted some glasses of wine.

Bed & Breakfasts + vineyards to stay

Take a look at the vineyards themself if you have something unique and intimate in mind.

Some options I came across during my research:

• Martha’s Vinyard West B&B, McMinneville
• Stoller Family Estate Guest Houses, Dayton

Oregon Wine Country hotels

It’s also worth checking out the small towns for hotels rooms with charm like:

• McMenamins Hotel Oregon, McMinneville – McMenamin locations are always worth checking out for their individual styled and themed restaurants, venues and hotels

Camping & Glamping in the Oregon Wine Country

If you are open to camping, my favorite option is staying at is Chris James Cellars in the middle of their vineyard. Come for the wine tasting during the day and stay for stargazing at night – an indeed secluded experience. Bookable through HipCamp.

***affiliate link***
If you book through my Smile4Travel HipCamp link (any HipCamp location applies), I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting me! As always, all opinions are my own. 

For a quintessential glamping experience definitely check out The Vintages Trailer Resort for availabilities.

***

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?

Have you ever been to Oregon and explored the Oregon Wine Country and Willamette Valley? Leave me a comment! Do you like the article, or still have any suggestions, feedback, or recommendations? Feel free to share this article with your friends!

***

LIKE IT? PIN IT & SAVE IT FOR LATER!

 – SMILE4TRAVEL COMMUNITY –

Become part of the Smile4Travel Community – Follow my Facebook Page & Instagram and register for my Newsletter, so you don´t miss any Smile4Travel adventures!

Please leave this field empty

CHECKLIST: OREGON HIKES

Sign up to my email list and get access to the free Oregon hiking checklist as well all items in the Smile4Travel RESOURCE LIBRARY!

Name

e-Mail *

It’s free to sign-up, I’ll never send you spam, and you might unsubscribe at any time. More info in my Privacy Policy.

Thanks you for joining the Smile4Travel community! Please check your mailbox and spam folder to confirm your subscription You will also and receive the password for the resource library via email where you can download the checklist.