Over the past few decades or so, the Willamette Valley in Oregon has made a name for itself as a place that produces some truly world-class pinot noirs along with many other exceptional wines.
That means there’s no shortage of wineries there to visit where you can sample the local product – and to help you find the best ones to see, here’s our guide to the best Willamette Valley wineries.
Best Willamette Valley Wineries
1. Willamette Valley Vineyards
Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown from humble beginnings when it was founded in 1983 to become the large and highly regarded operation of today.
The winery prides itself on using only sustainable techniques, and grapes from the nearly 500 acres of vineyards are harvested by hand to ensure the highest possible quality, establishing the winery as one of the very best in the region.
Flight tastings are available in the tasting room, and if you buy two bottles or more, the tastings are free.
They also sell wine by the glass or the bottle, and they offer meals created with fresh local ingredients that are designed to pair perfectly with what’s in your glass.
For those who want to learn more about the winemaking process, they offer private winery tours and tastings, or if you just prefer to relax, you can simply sit outside on the Pinot Decks or other outdoor areas and enjoy the delightful scenery as you sip your wine.
If you like what they serve, the winery also runs a wine club with several membership options – details can be found on the website.
Address: 8800 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, OR 97392
Telephone: 503-588-9463
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wvv.com
2. Lemelson Vineyards
Known for its beautiful scenery as well as the exceptional wines, Lemelson Vineyards is another place that deserves a place on any list of wineries to visit in Oregon.
The views from the winery are sublime, with the rolling hills covered in vines providing the perfect backdrop for appreciating their trademark pinot noir or other wines from their range.
If you want to sample a selection of their wines, flight tastings are available. The price is a little expensive compared to some other places, but if you decide to buy two or more bottles or join the wine club, the price of the tasting is waived.
You can also simply sit and drink wine by the glass on their three-level patio overlooking the grounds. Walk-ins are accepted when they have space, but reservations are recommended if you want to avoid disappointment, especially during busy periods.
This winery also organizes some fun events like a food truck night and morning vineyard walks, so if you prefer a livelier atmosphere or want to learn more about how they grow their grapes and make their wines, there’s sure to be something of interest.
For full details and listings of events, check their website for the most up-to-date information.
Address: 12020 NE Stag Hollow Rd, Carlton, OR 97111
Telephone: 503-852-6619
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lemelsonvineyards.com
3. Stoller Family Estate
The Stoller winery is surrounded by extensive vineyards that grow around 70% pinot noir grapes as well 25% chardonnay and 5% other less common varieties.
The grapes are then hand-picked and meticulously processed, allowing them to produce an exceptional quality of wine that has been the recipient of many awards.
If you want to visit the winery and taste what they make, they have several available options. The state-of-the-art tasting room features augmented reality, interactive tasting tables, an immersive display and more, for a tasting experience like no other.
For a more exclusive visit, you can book into the Hilltop Tasting Experience where you will be treated to exquisite views, rare wines and carefully selected food to enjoy them with.
There’s also the History Tasting option, which introduces you to some small-batch history wines as you learn a bit about how they are made.
Alternatively, you can simply enjoy wine by the flight, the glass or the bottle with a plate of cheese or charcuterie in the comfortable modern surroundings of the bar.
Reservations are required since they don’t accept walk-ins.
Address: 16161 NE McDougall Rd, Dayton, OR 97114
Telephone: 503-864-3404
Email: Contact vie social media found on the website
Website: www.stollerfamilyestate.com
4. Adelsheim Vineyard
Over 50 years ago, David and Ginny Adelsheim decided to invest in 19 acres of land in the Chehalem Mountains, an area not known for viticulture at the time, to plant their first vines.
By 1978, they had opened a winery and began making wine – and fast forward to the present, it’s evident that their gamble has more than paid off.
The winery now produces a wide range of wines, many of which have received awards in various wine competitions.
Their winemaking philosophy is to keep things simple so that the wine in your glass ends up being a perfect reflection of the grapes and the conditions they were grown in.
If you want to sample their wines, there are several different options – but whichever you choose, it’s sure to be a rewarding experience.
You can opt for a guided tasting session or a guided tasting of their estate wines, and another option is simply to order a sample of wines to try in the bar. Fees for these tastings are waived if you buy two bottles (or three for the Estate Tasting).
More exclusive possibilities include a tasting in the cave or by the fireside, both great options if you plan to visit with a group of friends.
The staff are friendly and welcoming, and they are always ready to answer any question you have with their extensive wine knowledge.
Note that reservations are required for all tastings, and walk-ins are not accepted.
Address: 16800 NE Calkins Ln, Newberg, OR 97132
Telephone: 503-538-3652
Website: www.adelsheim.com
5. Brooks Wine
A trip to Brooks Wine is just as much about the food as it is the wine since they are renowned for their ever-changing menu of delicious seasonal produce that is carefully crafted to match perfectly with their wines.
If you plan to visit, you’ll need to book ahead since walk-ins aren’t accepted. Once there, you can order wine by the flight, glass or bottle and then sit and enjoy it either in the tasting room or on the deck.
Just like the food, the wines on offer are constantly being rotated, but this is a great reason for you to visit over and over again!
If you prefer a more personalized service, you can also book the Library Tasting and Tour option, which gives you the chance to taste some of their more special offerings as well as providing some insights into the winemaking process and how the winery is run.
The winery operates a wine club, which gives members certain privileges and discounts at the winery along with regular shipments of wine throughout the year. Check the website for details.
Address: 21101 SE Cherry Blossom Ln, Amity, OR 97101
Telephone: 503-435-1278
Email: [email protected] or contact via the website
Website: www.brookswine.com
6. Argyle Winery
Argyle Winery has always prided itself on its sparkling wines but also offers a range of exceptional chardonnays, pinot noirs and Rieslings.
The winery is now surrounded by around 400 acres of vines, but they still work on small lots while employing creative and innovative winemaking techniques to ensure that every bottle they produce is full of character and exciting to drink.
To sample their wines, reservations are required – they offer a range of options from tasting by the flight to more exclusive packages.
On the other hand, if you just want to drink by the glass, they accept walk-ins on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Seating is available both indoors and out, and tables are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Charcuterie boxes are also available and should be reserved in advance to ensure you don’t miss out. Other food is not served, and outside food is not allowed to be consumed on the premises.
Address: 691 OR-99W, Dundee, OR 97115
Telephone: 503-538-8520
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.argylewinery.com
7. Domaine Serene Winery
Owners Grace and Ken Evenstad purchased their first plot of land to grow vines way back in 1989, and since then they have gone on to build a reputation for producing classic Oregon pinot noirs of exceptional quality.
They also produce excellent chardonnays, and with the completion of a dedicated white wine facility, they plan to make a foray into sparkling wines too.
If you hope to visit the winery, you should make a reservation beforehand. Several tasting options are available, including the Signature Tasting Experience, which gives you an in-depth introduction to some of the winery’s best and most exclusive wines.
Address: 6555 NE Hilltop Ln, Dayton, OR 97114
Telephone: 503-864-4600
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.domaineserene.com
8. Youngberg Hill Inn & Winery
The Youngberg Hill Inn & Winery is a family owned and run business that first produced only pinot noir wines before branching out into other types – including pinot gris, pinot blanc, chardonnay, grenache, syrah and even port.
They pride themselves on their ecological and sustainable farming practices as much as on the quality of their wines, making this winery a model example of how it is possible to live together with nature rather than exploiting it.
Tastings are available at the winery, and no reservations are required. If you are a member of the wine club or are staying at the inn, the tasting is free. Other more exclusive tasting options are available, including a Tour & Tasting experience for two.
The winery can be booked for weddings and other events – full details are available on the website.
Address: 10660 SW Youngberg Hill Rd, McMinnville, OR 97128
Telephone: 503-472-2727
Email: [email protected]
Website: youngberghill.com
9. Domaine Drouhin Oregon
This winery’s tag line is “French soul, Oregon Soil”, and it perfectly encapsulates the deep influence that France’s world-renowned Burgundy winemaking region has on everything they do here.
Most of the production is dedicated to pinot noir grapes, but just like in Burgundy, they are grown alongside several acres of chardonnay grapes.
Tastings at the winery are possible by prior reservation only, both indoors and out, depending on the weather.
The winery also enjoys some of the most spectacular views in the area, making it the perfect place to spend time enjoying some high-quality wines while appreciating the splendor of nature.
Address: 6750 NE Breyman Orchards Rd, Dayton, OR 97114
Telephone: 503-864-2700
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.domainedrouhin.com
10. Penner-Ash Wine Cellars
Occupying a lovely spot on the top of a hill with views down over the vineyards and gorgeous Oregon scenery, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars is as perfect a place as you’ll find to enjoy a glass or two of wine among friends.
That’s how you’ll be made to feel, too, since the staff are friendly and welcoming. They offer a Tasting Experience or an Estate Vineyard Tour & Tasting, both of which provide an excellent introduction to the wines from the winery.
Furthermore, fees for these experiences are waived with a minimum purchase of wine.
Note that reservations are required for tastings since the winery doesn’t accept walk-ins.
Address: 15771 NE Ribbon Ridge Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
Telephone: 503-554-5545
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pennerash.com
11. Bells Up Winery
After deciding to give up his corporate lifestyle to turn his winemaking hobby into a career, owner Dave Specter and his wife opened Bells Up winery.
Oregon has many large wineries surrounded by many acres of vines that welcome large numbers of visitors every day, but if that kind of thing all seems a bit too much like an impersonal tourist trap, Bells Up is the perfect antidote.
They only accept one group at a time, and tastings are conducted by winemaker and owner Dave himself.
It’s hard to imagine anyone more enthusiastic or knowledgeable than the person who lovingly and meticulously produces the wine you’re tasting, and if that’s the kind of personal service you’re looking for, Bells Up is the winery for you.
Address: 27895 NE Bell Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
Telephone: 503-537-1328
Email: [email protected]
Website: bellsupwinery.com
Plenty of options to choose from
If you find yourself in the Willamette Valley area and you’re partial to a glass of wine, you can hardly leave without visiting at least one of the wineries there. In fact, with so many great places to check out, your problem may be deciding which one to go to first.
