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 & Vinyard Hopping

Wine tasting and vineyard hopping: 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 be spoiled for choices. This is not only for deciding which tasting room to go to first, but also for selecting the wine. 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

It’s impossible to list all wineries and tasting rooms since 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 and great food options (beyond cheese and crackers). You can choose to sit on their terrace or the lawn with great views of the surrounding countryside. Stoller Family Estate is a popular winery, but deserves its fame.

Seufert Winery, Dayton

Seufert Winery produces small-batch, expressive wines from vineyards in Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, and more. I recommend visiting their intimate tasting room in Downtown Dayton, especially if you stay at The Vintages Trailer Resort. Why? Because it’s literally around the corner and you’ll get two complimentary tastings with the Tasting Passport.

Chris James Cellars, Carlton

Chris James Cellars is home to a small wine cellar off the grid that offers intimate tastings and workshops at their vineyard in Carlton. They also have a tasting room in McMinnville. The best part: You can bring your tent or trailer and camp in the middle of their vineyard in Carlton. For more details scroll to „Where to stay in the Oregon Wine Country“.

Winter’s Hill Wine, Dundee Hills

If you love sipping wine while gazing at the distance, Winter’s Hill Estate overlooking the Dundee Hills is for you. The history of this vineyard dates back to 1961, when the immigrant couple from Hannover, Germany, John and Lena Winter, bought the farmland and orchard, which would become Winter’s Hill Estate in 1990 when their daughter and husband planted the first vineyards in 1990 and named it Winter’s Hill in their honor.

Today, the winery is run by the Winter family in the third generation. At Winter’s Hill Estate, they cultivate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rosé Of Pinot Noir. Their Port Wine “Hans & Lena” turned out to be our favorite, maybe we are a bit biased though. ;).

Sokol Blosser, Dundee

Another vineyard set in the heart of the Dundee Hills worth visiting is Sokol Blosser Winery, a true pioneer in sustainable winemaking. This family-owned winery has been committed to eco-friendly practices for over 50 years. Sokol Blosser isn’t just known for its exceptional Pinot Noir—it’s also a certified B Corp, meaning they meet the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility.

Their vineyards are certified organic, and they were the first in the U.S. to build a LEED-certified winery, reducing their impact on the environment while crafting incredible wines. If you love wineries that care about both the planet and your palate, this one’s a must-visit!

More wineries in the Willamette Valley

I haven’t been to the following wineries yet, but got them recommended from friends:

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

Where to eat in the Oregon Wine Country

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

Restaurants in the North Willamette Valley

• Broder Söder – still part of Portland, but a great option to start your trip Southwest with a Scandinavian brunch.
• The Newbergundian Bistro, Newberg – we once came by this French restaurant coincidentally and were absolutely overwhelmed by the taste and quality of food. Stop here for breakfast, brunch or lunch!
• 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. Try their Hazelnut brew if they have it on draft!
• Community Plate, McMinnville – stylish café with delicious breakfast and brunch options in the middle of small shops
• Pizza Capo, McMinnville – Wood-fired pizza and delicious desserts on 3rd street
• Abuelas Nuestra Cocina, McMinnville – family-owned Mexican restaurant, serving the recipes of their Grandmother’s Kitchen, and you can taste that difference!
• Red Hills Market, Dundee – gourmet sandwiches & wood-fired pizza (I haven’t been there yet myself)

With all those choices, you can easily make the Oregon Wine Country a weekend trip and 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 fancy a relaxed weekend getaway: Stop at the local farms and shop farm-fresh products, pick 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. Newberg and McMinnville offer a great choice of hotels and many vineyards serve as Bed & Breakfasts. 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, if you have something unique and intimate in mind.

Some options I came across during my research:

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

Check out the Winery Hunt for Oregon Wineries with Overnight Accommodations.

Oregon Wine Country hotels

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

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

Camping in the Oregon Wine Country

If camping is an option, this one is for you: Chris James Cellars opens up their vineyard for overnight guests. You just need to bring your tent or trailer to fall asleep in the middle of a vineyard. Come for the wine tasting during the day and stay for stargazing at night – an indeed secluded experience. You can book this campsite through HipCamp.

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Airstream Glamping in the Oregon Wine Country

For a stay that’s out of the ordinary, The Vintages Trailer Resort in Oregon Wine Country offers a unique and cozy glamping getaway. Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this resort features 34 vintage trailers, each with its own character.

I finally got to stay here in February 2025, and checked into the newly renovated 1972 Airstream Sovereign, complete with a king bed, a private bathroom with a separate shower, a kitchenette, and a bright, modern interior.

Guests can explore the property on complimentary cruiser bikes, ride along Pinot Lane, where all vintage trailers are lined up, relax at the outside fire pits, soak in the outdoor pool (open during summer only), or shop some local goodies at the General Store.

Airstream Camping at The Vintages comes with the Vintages Tasting Passport, which unlocks exclusive perks at nearby wineries. From incredible discounts to complimentary tastings, this is a unique way to get to know the nearby wineries. We discovered some new favorites along the way. Whether you’re here for wine tasting or simply looking for a fun and nostalgic stay, The Vintages offers an unforgettable retro experience in Oregon Wine Country.

When is the Best Time to Visit Oregon Wine Country?

Oregon Wine Country is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Spring (March–May) brings lush vineyards, blooming farms, roaring waterfalls and fewer crowds, making it a great time for a peaceful tasting trip. Summer (June–August) offers warm weather and lively events, perfect for picnicking among the vines. Fall (September–November) is harvest season—the most exciting time to visit, with grape picking, vibrant foliage, and the buzz of winemaking in the air. Winter (December–February) is the coziest time, ideal for fireside tastings and intimate wine experiences with fewer visitors. No matter when you go, Oregon Wine Country always has something special to offer!

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QUESTIONS & COMMENTS?

Have you ever been to Oregon and explored the Oregon Wine Country or Willamette Valley? Do you have questions or feedback? Leave a comment below and share this article with your friends!

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