The Best Oregon Wineries in Oregon Wine Country!
July 15, 2022There’s just nothing better than enjoying a sunny summer day in Oregon wine country. Whether it be for a day trip, weekend getaway or girls trip, spending time exploring some of the best Oregon wineries is always top of my list! So when the opportunity presented itself to plan a weekend getaway to Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine country, I quickly booked the new boutique inn The Setting Inn and started putting together the following Oregon winery list and travel guide. Now, if you’re new to the Oregon wine scene or maybe just looking to find some new spots to explore, this is the guide for you. Below I’ve rounded up some of the best Willamette Valley wine destinations to enjoy, from larger wine producers to boutique spots, there is the perfect balance of it all to give you the best impression of what Oregon wineries have to offer. Book mark it. Share it. Send it to relatives visiting the area. But most of all, enjoy it. Cheers!
The Best Oregon Wineries in Oregon Wine Country
STAY
For this trip, we stayed at The Setting Inn Willamette Valley just outside of Newberg, Oregon. We have stayed at their sister property in Napa Valley and loved it, so we wanted to experience their newest location The Setting Inn Willamette Valley which is a eight room boutique inn located in the heart of Oregon wine country. As soon as we arrived, we settled right into the comfortable, luxurious vibe of the property; you could immediately tell they spared no small detail. Our room came complete with a Nespresso machine, hot water pot, Steven Smith Teamaker tea (my favorite!), plush robes, slippers, and Lather brand luxury bath amenities. Each evening for turn down, a sweet surprise greeted us on our pillow and each morning a Euro meets the Northwest brunch box was delivered to our room in a custom wine box. Our brunch box included a can of sparkling Canned Oregon wine, orange juice, fresh pastries from Pearl Bakery, yummy cheese from Briar Rose Creamery, salami from Olympia Provisions and fresh organic fruit. It was delicious and easily my favorite part of our day!
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Whereabouts is Oregon Wine Country?
If you’ve never been to Oregon wine country, it’s important to note that with over 750 wineries gracing the hills of Oregon, there is a lot of terrain to cover. If you aren’t familiar with Oregon, or Oregon’s Wine country, it’s important to note that the Willamette Valley is a 150-mile long valley and for visiting purposes one could divide it up into the following areas. For reference, for our trip to Oregon wine country, we stayed in the Newberg and Dundee Oregon wine region.
“Lower Willamette Valley” – This area encompasses Eugene and the surrounding area.
“Mid Willamette Valley” – This area encompasses Salem and the surrounding area.
“Upper Willamette Valley” – This area encompasses Dundee, Newberg, McMinnville and the surrounding area. This area also has the largest number of concentrated wineries.
Oregon Winery Guide
Furioso Vineyards – Explore the intersection of art, wine, and family at Furioso Vineyards . We had the pleasure of attending their Sunday Social, a fun laid back event that includes live music, food from Wooden Heart Food, and a glass of wine! You also have the option to purchase bottles or additional glasses. Furioso specializes in single vineyard estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Their vineyards are comprised of two Willamette Valley sites representing two famed Oregon AVAs: the Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton. The wine is delicious – – as is the food cart Wooden Heart which is onsite daily and truly superb!
Stoller – Stoller Family Estate is one of the most highly regarded vineyards and wineries in Oregon, and for good reason! We enjoyed small bites and a seated tasting flight inside their gorgeous tasting room complete with vineyard views. Their vineyard sits on a 400-acre parcel, with 225-acres planted to vine, making it the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregon’s Dundee Hills and is LIVE, LEED Gold Certified and Salmon Safe certified. Needless to say, their wines are superb and I personally loved their 2021 Stoller Rosé and 2017 Estate Pinot Noir. Definitely make time to visit Stoller in your future visits to Oregon wine country!
Bells Up – Bells Up Winery is perfectly perched on the side of Chehalem Mountain and overlooks Newberg and the Willamette Valley to the south. This small production, boutique winery produces about 600 cases of wine a year and composes handcrafted, classically-styled Oregon Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes sourced exclusively from their estate vineyard and micro-sites in the Willamette Valley and Eastern Oregon. Every tasting is hosted by the winemaker and owner Dave Specter – which is a rarity and a very intimate experience, you truly learn about every nuance that makes each wine unique and the process which was used.
Youngberg Hill – Youngberg Hill is a gorgeous 50 acre estate, set just outside McMinnville, Oregon that offers a unique wine tasting option and bed and breakfast experience. When we first arrived we were thrilled to find out that we would be treated to a tour and tasting personally led by owner Nicolette Bailey. We began our tasting with their 2019 Youngberg Hill Extended Tirage Sparkling, which was followed by their Estate-grown Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Rosé and select Pinot Noirs. Known for their organically farmed, award-winning wines, each wine was distinct and incredibly delicious, our favorites being the Sparkling, Pinot Gris, J-Block Pinot Noir and Natasha Block Pinot Noir. The natural beauty of the vineyard set against the surrounding valley and rolling hills offered a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Definitely add Youngberg Hill to your Oregon Wine Country itinerary as they offer daily tastings and is only 10 minutes from downtown McMinnville. Enjoy a flight, glass or bottle of wine while taking in the best view in Yamhill Valley.
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Wooden Heart Food – Want to experience one of the best meals in wine country? Then head to Furioso Vineyards and eat at Wooden Heart. This food cart cranks out the freshest, most delicious salads and wood-fired pizza, using locally sourced, quality ingredients. It’s truly one of a kind experience and seriously delicious.
Red Hills Market – A great spot for breakfast or lunch, you can even call ahead and pick up picnics to go. Make sure you stop here at least once during your travels through the upper Willamette Valley wine country.
The Painted Lady – If you’re looking for a coursed dining experience, you must book an evening at The Painted Lady in Newberg, Oregon. This delightful restaurant boasts food and a experience worthy of a Michelin Star. Make sure to book your spot well in advance. Reservations open up 90 days in advance and are quickly sold out.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best Oregon wineries in Oregon wine country! If you’re looking for more wineries to visit, check out my post on covering all the best wineries in the Willamette Valley!
Happy exploring Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine country!
XO,
M
Thank you to The Setting Inn and to all the featured wineries for sponsoring this post!
All opinions are honest and my own and I truly appreciate your support that makes this blog possible! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases as well as other affiliate links found in this post. Please see my Disclosure for more information.
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