Updated November 2022
Best places to wine taste in Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley is loaded with wineries — over 600 to be exact! Knowing which sub-regions to visit, who the best small producers are, where to stay and where to eat can be difficult; but we’re here to help.
Read our guide below to learn about the different sub-regions that make up the Valley, as well as our picks on best small producers in the Willamette Valley.
A briefing on Willamette Valley
- Where: Located ~45 minutes south of Portland, Oregon by car.
- When: Established 1984.
- Who: David Lett, Charles Coury and Dick Erath.
- What: The largest AVA in Oregon at over 5,000 square miles. Pronounced Will-AM-mit (rhymes with damnit, stress the a).
- Climate: Mild, cool winters with above-average rainfall and warm summers. Rarely any days over 90F and never any days below 0F. Coastal marine influences make this a cool-climate region.
- Soils: Old volcanic and sedimentary seabed overlaid with gravel, silt, rock and boulders brought by the Missoula Flood 10 – 15,000 years ago.
- Varietals: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer, Chardonnay
Willamette Valley wine road map
Best location to stay in Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley is huge and is littered with wineries. Picking a proper place to stay can be tricky. We recommend McMinville, as the town is fun to romp around in after a day of tasting. Check out the Atticus Hotel or one of several Airbnb’s near downtown.
1. Chehalem Mountains and Yamhill-Carlton
The Chehalem Mountains and Yamhill-Carlton AVA’s are roughly 45 minutes from Portland by car and contain a variety of soil types spawn some incredibly rich and complex wines.
These are our favorite Sub-AVA’s in the Willamette Valley with some of our favorite Pinot Noirs in Oregon, if not North America. If you’re short on time, focus your energy here. Read our full guide on Chehalem Mountans and Yamhill-Carlton.
2. Dundee Hills and McMinnville
Dundee Hills and McMinnville are roughly 40 and 55 minutes respectively by car southwest of Portland. The regions are known for rich, red volcanic Jory soil, consisting of silt, clay and loam.
Of the three regions mentioned, these have the most city-like feel with lots of tasting rooms and restaurants; this makes both great places to spend a few days as an HQ. Read our full guide on Dundee Hills and McMinnville
3. Eola-Amity Hills
A close second favorite of all the sub-regions, Eola-Amity Hills features soils of mainly volcanic basalt and marine sedimentary rocks, resulting in some fantastic fruit that has excellent concentration.
There is not much by ways of a town down this way (roughly 60 minutes by car from Portland), so we recommend staying in McMinnville for a few days and take day trips to the vineyards. Read our full guide on Eola-Amity Hills.
While you’re here
Oregon has a lot to offer, so consider extending your stay for more activities outside of the Valley.
- Portland: You’ll mostly likely start here if you’re flying in. The city itself is worth some time exploring the culinary treats. We love Renata for their excellent wine list and food. Food trucks are also a big thing in Portland. Check out Matt’s BBQ and stay for a pint at Prost.
- Hood River: The Columbia Gorge scenic area is one of our favorite places in the world. Situated on the border of Washington and Oregon, roughly 1 hour north-east of Portland. You’ll likely fall in love just on the drive up with jaw-dropping views. Give kite surfing a go, visit their famous microbreweries and their boutique wineries (much different than Willamette style). Check out our full guide on the Columbia Gorge.
- Oregon Coast: Miles and miles of gorgeous views, sunset views, cliffside hikes and delicious seafood makes this a must-visit destination. One of the highlights for us was volunteering to build trails with the Trailkeepers of Oregon. Be prepared to have a new appreciation for trekking!
- Ashland: Down in the south of Oregon is a fun little area to explore–famous for their Shakespeare festival. We enjoyed some surprisingly good wine via the Rogue and Applegate Valley and a quaint town in Jacksonville. See our wine guide to the Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon.
Looking for more ultimate road trip ideas? Check out our posts for Argentina and New Zealand!
