There is no shortage of tastings rooms, wines, and vineyards in Oregon that is for sure. If you are looking to hone your experience to one that is sure to delight even the fussiest of tasters, then here is what we suggest.
Kings Raven Winery, Clackamas County
Named after the Clackamas Indians, of the Chinookan Tribe, this county is rich in growing history. It is buried Oregon’s best farming region and cusps the Washington border. If you are in the area you need to visit Kings Raven Winery. It’s off the beaten path and overlooks the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. What a view!!
There is a stunning half acre amphitheater here that holds monthly and seasonal events. These include summer concerts, outdoor movies, yoga, and winemaker dinners. You may also host your own private event (See kingsravenwine.com for more details). Either way, set a date for whichever event speaks to you and enjoy an Oregon wine experience that you will never forget.
Kings Raven Winery offers a large collection of wines. They have several incredible Pinot Noirs and hybrid reds. But let’s not forget white wines. They offer Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and a Gewürztraminer, all ready to be enjoyed by you. Kings Raven Winery prides themselves on dabbling in only the finest varietals this region has to offer. The wines are excellent examples of this terroir.
Willamette Valley Vineyards, McMinnville
For a real treat, head into the charming town of McMinnville, Oregon. This historic city was founded in 1856 by an early Tennessee immigrant on the Oregon Trail. This charming town has retained that small town friendliness over the years. You will find museums, Victorian buildings, fine dining eateries, and yes, tasting rooms. The best part is that they are all walkable from one to the other.
If you visit downtown, we highly recommend the Willamette Valley Vineyards tasting room. It is the recent winner of “The Best Vineyard and Tasting Room Experience” by Sunset Magazine. The unpretentious staff is well educated on Oregon viticulture, area history, and winemaking. They will not disappoint you with their extensive wine knowledge or their large portfolio of award winning wines. These include small lot Pinot Noirs, representing only the best Oregon AVAs (American Viticultural Area). They also have other fine treats such as a sparkling wine, Rose, Viognier, Grenache, Syrah, and a Cabernet Franc. There truly is a little something for everyone here.
Schmidt Family Vineyards, Grant Pass
If you’ve never been to Grants Pass, then here is your chance. It’s home to the white water rapids of Rogue River and the Oregon Cave National Monument. So there’s no lack of sights to appreciate or activities to keep you busy.
While out and about, venture into Schmidt Family Vineyards for some high-end bottles. Crafted by 3 generations of winemakers, these wines are all award winning and estate grown. The wine menu is quite extensive. It includes roughly 11 varietals of red, 6 varietals of whites, a rosé, and few dessert wines to round it off.
The tasting room itself is a large facility with an open floor plan. It invites you in with warm woods and soft natural lighting. There is also a firepit on the patio for making friends and a pizza oven to keep you nibbling throughout the evening. We recommend you spend an afternoon here, since there is no rushing these tasty wines.
A Blooming Hill Vineyard, Cornelius
Last but not least is a little vineyard located in Cornelius, Oregon. A Blooming Hill Vineyard is tucked away off the Chehalem Mountain range in farm country. The soil is rich, fertile and produces some fine grapes. The husband and wife team tend to this vineyard and tasting room together. The love they pour into their little plot of land shows in each wine they produce.
When visiting you have your choice of multiple Pinot Noirs, whites, white blends, Rose, and a Pinot/Brandy Hybrid! Is your mouth watering yet? We love this vineyard and tasting room because of the homey, sincere feel. They even have a wine dog named Trouble you can pet if you are missing yours back home. A Blooming Hill Vineyard will welcome you with open arms, hand you a glass of their finest, and make you family all in the first 5 mins.
Even though Priority Wine Pass has a ton of amazing winery partners in Oregon, these are the ones that stand out. History, wines, knowledge, care, are combined with the premium hospitality which is why these are our Top 4 Tasting Rooms in Oregon. If you’re ever there on a visit, send them our love, and let us know your thoughts on our favorites.
