Food & wine travel, Oregon wine country lodging
Here's a curated list of where to eat, go wine tasting, shop and more in Oregon's wine country: our personal travel guide to the places we love most in Willamette Valley (including Newberg, Dundee, Carlton, McMinnville and Amity) and Portland metro areas.
There are over 500 wineries in the Willamette Valley, and which ones are the "best" is a highly personal thing. To help you narrow it down a bit, here are the places we frequent and why they made our list. (We've also added a few other types of spots with stellar wine options.)
Carlton
The barrel room tasting experience here feels a bit like a dream… if, like me, your dreams are filled with wine caves, candlelight, caviar and elegantly complex Pinot Noir. During your visit, you’ll be greeted with champagne, given a tour of the gorgeous winery, and seated in their serenely beautiful barrel room… [read more]
Amity
In my opinion, no one in the Willamette Valley understands immersive hospitality better than Antica Terra. A visit here is an investment, but it’s transportive. We’ve tried all the experiences at their old winery in Dundee, and just recently enjoyed the Table in the Trees tasting at their stunning new property in Amity…. [read more]
Dundee
One of the newer estates in the area, and such a gem: a full-time chef, stunning tasting room, vineyard views from every position, and knowledgeable hospitality. Their Wine Pairing Experience provides a full lunch and is fabulous quality for the price – it’s honestly one of the best paired tastings in the valley. … [read more]
McMinnville
Our favorite pizza in McMinnville, but so much more than that. Insanely good arancini, seasonal veggie dishes from local farms, a lovely wine list and a beautiful and comfortable dining room with… [read more]
McMinnville
Holly is knowledgeable, kind, flexible and fun to be around, and her luxe new Expedition very comfortably seats six guests. You can check availability online (“Book Now” button, pick a tour option) and reach out to book; she can surprise you with an itinerary, or make appointments based upon your input – I’m happy to help with suggestions!
Dundee
While as impressive and upscale as his other projects, this newest venture from winemaker Jared Etzel feels much more personal. It’s a family collaboration with his wife Erica and brother-in-law Eugene Labunsky, and the tasting room reads more like a cozy modern home rather a commercial space…. [read more]
Newberg
Whether or not you are a lover of Beaux Frères, Sequitur – the “it follows” project of Michael Etzel and his wife, Carey – deserves a place on your must-visit list. It checks all my boxes: story/history, aesthetics of the winery and tasting room, beauty of the land, and (most important) the wine is stellar…. [read more]
Newberg
Owner/Operators Danell and Kipp have created something beautiful at their home and vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains. You can enjoy two different tasting experiences – both with food to accompany the wines – while taking in a view of their vineyard, the future tasting room site, and a stunning look up into Ribbon Ridge. … [read more]