10 Reasons Why Oregon Wine Country Should Be Your Top Destination for 2025

Wine Tasting in the Willamette Valley has never been better.

Brainstorming destinations for your next dream vacation? Or are you already toying with the idea of taking a trip to Oregon’s wine country? Well get settled in, because you’re in for a treat. 

Choosing your next trip is always exciting, but it can also be a little intimidating. Most of us are working with limited funds and limited vacation time. Making the wrong choice can be costly! But fear not, because I have lots of reasons why this is 100% the right place to be.

I moved into the middle of wine country about ten years ago. Like, the “75% of my neighbors own vineyards” middle. Plus I’ve worked in the industry for years. 

My favorite part of the job is answering all the questions I get about the area. I get to play tour guide! And the same things that drew me to the area then still hold true today… in fact in many ways it’s gotten even better.

I’ll share those reasons below. Plus at the end I add a few reasons why you might want to pause before hitting that “book” button.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, an opportunity to stock the cellar with rare gems, or an introduction to the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the moment is perfect for a visit. Read on! 

1. The Bar is High. Very High.

There is so much delicious wine here, it’s kind of ridiculous. 

Since the early days, Oregon winemakers have placed an absolute premium on high standards. In fact, it’s the foundation of the entire industry here. There’s pretty much no plonk to be found. I can’t guarantee you’ll like every wine you try (that’s kind of impossible) but damn the level of quality here is extremely high. Let’s be honest, if you’re not making a quality product you’re not going to last here. 

What does that mean for you as a visitor? It means you have hundreds of wineries to choose from, each offering a product of high quality and prestige. It also means you can focus on other criteria (like views, varietals, family-owned etc) and not worry about having a poor experience. 

2. Great Food Options

Even the smaller towns out here have solid options for eating out. There are bakeries, sandwich shops, casual eateries and elegant dinner experiences. Towns like Newberg or McMinnville have a lot to choose from. Hayward in McMinnville was a 2024 James Beard finalist for best new restaurant. Newberg’s The Painted Lady boasts some serious awards and credentials. 

For lunch, take out is always an option. Red Hills Market or The Horseradish have wood fired pizza and hot sandwich options. Or you can stock up on provisions at places like Good Company Cheese or Carlton Bakery and put together your own spread. Many wineries don’t allow outside food, but there are several county parks that make an ideal setting for a picnic. 

Don’t miss Gusto Gastronomia Italiana, where you can pick up ready to eat options along with imported goodies from Italy. 

It’s also worth considering heading into Portland for a nice meal. Kann is the current bannerman for adventurous PDX cuisine, but if you can’t get a reservation there’s a depth of other choices that can only be found in a larger city.

3. Beautiful Scenery

The other day I was driving home from work. It was “golden hour” and the light was pretty freakin’ magical. As I pulled onto my road, I saw the vineyards and forested hills bathed in golden sunlight. It occurred to me that if I saw this view in a magazine, I would 100% want to travel there.  

Everyone knows the Pacific Northwest has captivating scenery and Willamette Valley wine country is no exception. 

The skies can be amazing. Bask in the sunshine on a winery patio, while watching a rainstorm darken the hills to the west. Marvel at the massive Doug Firs or ancient Oregon Oak. Expect rolling hills, sweeping vistas, and gravel roads running through hidden dells. This place is beautiful and no matter what time of year there’s something to catch the eye. 

4. Small Towns Are King

Portland sprawl has certainly grown, but small towns are still the backbone of wine country. Newberg, Forest Grove, or McMinnville make great homebases because they have more food and lodging options. Smaller towns like Amity or Dayton don’t have as much to offer for tourists, but still provide some small town charm. My favorite is Carlton. It’s a real gem, with lots packed into just a few blocks.

5. Ever-Expanding Lodging Options

For a long time, the knock against the Willamette Valley was that there was nowhere to stay in wine country. Even ten years ago there just weren’t many options for hotels and lodging. Most visitors would stay in the Portland area, which meant an hour drive just to get out to wine country. 

Luckily that’s not the case anymore. Newberg, McMinnville, and Dundee all have solid options for the discerning traveler. You can even stay on-site at a number of wineries. 

I’ve been really impressed with the upscale lodging available here. The Alison continues to be an industry standard for refined luxury, and newcomers like The Atticus and The Dundee Hotel offer more options than ever before. 

Looking for a smaller, BnB style experience? Check out The Setting Inn, the Black Walnut, or the Willamette Valley B&b. 

Like everywhere else, house rental options have ballooned as well. If you’re traveling as a family or a group, search VRBO for a house to rent. Imagine a full day of wine tasting and then coming back to your rental for cocktails and grilling. Hell yeah. Cooking some of your own meals can help keep costs down as well.  

6. Amazing Side Trips

Part of what makes the Willamette Valley so captivating is its proximity to even more beautiful and exciting experiences. It would take a really cynical person to get bored here! If you’re looking to see a little more of Oregon, try these close-by options:

1. Drive out to the Oregon Coast
2. Book a room on Mt Hood at the Timberline Lodge
3. Go see a Timbers game in Portland
4. Take a daytrip up to Mt St Helens
5. Spend the morning hiking at Silver Falls State Park

There’s a lot to see in Oregon, so I advise not to try and do it all. Better to take your time and soak it in. You’ll probably want to come back anyway. 

7. Great Sparkling Wines

The northern Willamette Valley has several things in common with the Champagne region, like moderate temperatures and an abundance of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. That leads to delicious sparkling wines! 

A decade ago these were harder to find, but nowadays many wineries have at least one or two bubbly options. Many of these wines are made in the traditional Champagne method (another example of high standards). Make sure to visit at least one dedicated sparkling house, like ROCO or Argyle.  

8. Hidden Gems Won’t Find Back Home

You may have had some exposure to Oregon wine back home, but there’s a LOT of great wine that never makes it out of the state. Chances are you’re only seeing a small fraction of what’s available. 

Most wineries have products that don’t go out into distribution and can only be found in their tasting room. These are limited-release, seasonal, or one-off wines that are only sold in the tasting rooms. 

Secondly, the majority of wineries don’t have great national coverage. You’ll find all kinds of brands that you’ll never see back home. A trip to the Willamette Valley gives you a chance to stock your cellar with unique and rare wines. 

9. A Range of Tasting Experiences

I think we all recognize that wine tasting has a potential for snobbery. And while I think it’s mostly overblown in movies and TV, there are certainly regions where the air seems a bit…rarefied.  

Not the case in Oregon. You will hardly ever hear the word “snobby” being used around here. Oregonians just won’t put up with it. 

Sure, there is some expected protocol (don’t be too loud, don’t drink too much, wear a shirt and shoes) but most places are down to earth. It doesn’t matter how much money you can spend or how much you know about wine. We’re just excited to pour our product. Just in case, here’s a few tips to make sure you don’t get any dirty looks. 

But what if you ARE looking for a high-end experience? There are certainly wineries that can deliver. Do you want to be pampered a little bit? 

Opulent tasting rooms or exclusive cave experiences are out there. Spend the afternoon at Domaine Serene and admire their impressive “club house”. Or book an exclusive tasting in Abbott Claim’s cave. 

I love the range of business sizes as well. We have mom and pop, open on weekends kind of places, places with helicopter landing pads, and everything in between. 

Book a tasting at Natalie’s, where winemaker Boyd might be the one pouring your wine. Or spend the afternoon at Stoller, where you can make yourself comfortable while the kids play on the tire swing. There really is a bit of everything here. 

And don’t be afraid to break out of your comfort zone. Choose something off the beaten path and be ok with being the only guest on the property. Or top off your visit with a splurge at Beaux Frères or Antica Terra. Chances are it will end up being a memorable part of your visit! 

10. It’s Easy to Avoid the Crowds

Ok so I know “crowded” is a little bit subjective. If you’re from Myton, UT or Barton, ND, our tasting rooms on a July Saturday may seem a bit hectic. But I’ve also been to Napa and seen the packed parking lots and traffic jams. Relatively speaking, we are pretty chill here. 

Despite being just an hour from Portland, it’s pretty easy to avoid packed tasting rooms. In fact, you can pretty much guarantee a quiet, mellow experience if you stick to a few basic rules: 

1. Weekends are the busiest, obviously. Saturdays especially. A Tuesday or Wednesday is a great time to visit. Just be aware that some wineries are closed midweek. Especially in the offseason (Nov-Mar). 
2. Take advantage of a morning tasting. There are quite a few wineries that open at 10am, and you can frequently have the place to yourself. 10am too early for drinking? I dunno, get over it! Besides, most people’s palettes are peaking about that time. You’ll be a better taster, true story. 
3. Come in the offseason to avoid the stretch limos and bachelorette parties. The busiest part of the year coincides with summer break. And if you really want the place to yourself, visit wine country in the winter. It may be cold and gray outside but it’s a great time to chat up your server, ask all the questions that pop into your head, and really relax into the moment. And maybe ask for a tour of the cellar while no one else is around.  

Bonus Credentials!

The Willamette Valley was named one of the World’s Greatest Places for 2023 by TIME Magazine.  

Plus Three Reasons That Might Make It the Wrong Choice

Ok I started off by saying it’s 100% the right choice. I’ll dial down my enthusiasm (only slightly!) and add a small dose of reality.

Affordability

it’s not crazy expensive, but it’s not cheap either. Just like most tourist places, the cost of hotels, meals, and tasting flights have gone way up.

Expect to pay $25-50 for a tasting and $18-ish for a burger at most restaurants. Hotels start around $200 during the summer. I will say, it’s still way cheaper than my usual punching bag, Napa!  

Burgundy grapes rule the land here.

That means Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. For most people that’s a huge positive, but if you’re really set on big reds or sweet whites your options shrink dramatically. Having said that, there ARE options beyond Pinot and Chardonnay. You just have to do a little more homework and search them out.

Wine tasting isn’t the most family-friendly activity.

This is true whichever wine region you visit. Many wineries are kid-friendly, but many are not. 

It’s one of the few situations when I see both employees and guests get snippy – regardless of your own personal opinion, having kiddos running around is going to annoy some other guests. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work.

The most successful tactic seems to be making wine tasting a part of your family trip, but maybe not the focus.

So really that puts us at a 98% (mathematically certified!) chance that Willamette Valley wine country is a perfect choice for a vacation. 

Are You Feeling the Excitement!?

If you’re at all on the fence about making the trip to Oregon, all I can say is it’s absolutely worth it! There are so many options, so many beautiful things to see, and a ridiculous amount of good wine to be drunk. 

Hope to see you soon!