As Oregon’s leading wine region, the Willamette Valley is home to two-thirds of the state’s vineyards and wineries. There are almost 700 wineries in the area, many of which produce some of the best Pinot Noir you’ll find in the world.
Willamette Valley is a must-visit for wine lovers, so if you’re planning on heading up to this state for a day or two of wine tasting, here are the top Willamette Valley wineries you need to visit.
What Wine Is Willamette Valley Known For?
Willamette Valley is Oregon’s biggest wine region, and the most popular wine you’ll find here is Pinot Noir. However, the region is also well-known for Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Riesling.
The Willamette Valley has a fairly mild climate throughout the year, with relatively hot, dry summers, and cold, wet winters. Its temperate climate provides the right conditions for Pinot Noir grapes, as well as other cool-climate varietes. In fact, the hot, dry summers and cooler evenings speed up the ripening of the vines.
However, the wet weather during winter and fall means that grapes that require longer time to ripen, such as Sauvignon Blanc, are challenging to grow.
While the Valley is known for its fertile soils, many of the vineyards found here are nestled within the hills, where the ground is slightly less fertile but has less risk of developing frost. The soils in the hills of Willamette Valley are a result of ancient lava flows and tectonic shifts, giving them a vibrant red color.
Top 10 Best Willamette Valley Wineries
Now that you know a little more about the type of wines you’ll come across in Willamette Valley, here’s the best Willamette Valley wineries you need to drop by.
Best Willamette Valley Wineries Map:
Willamette Valley Vineyards: Stunning Views
- Address: 8800 Enchanted Way SE Turner, OR 97392
- Website: https://www.wvv.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-588-9463
Willamette Valley Vineyards is perhaps the most famous winery in the region, boasting striking views and outstanding wines. It features a spacious patio, charming courtyard, and majestic 65-foot lookout tower, all of which provide a peaceful setting to drink wine in.
The winery is open daily for tastings, but bookings are highly recommended as it can get busy. A daily flight costs $15 per person, while a reserve flight costs $20 per person. A tasting experience lasts for 90 minutes and includes an explanation of the winery’s intriguing history.
You can also enjoy some delicious food made by the winery’s award-winning head chef. All ingredients are locally sourced to ensure you receive only the highest quality and freshest dishes.
Willamette Valley Vineyards offers various other wine experiences, including Pairings Exploration, private tastings and tours, and Pairings Wine Dinners. The winery also hosts a range of events throughout the year, like an annual harvest celebration.
Editor’s Note: If you get the chance, book one of the winery’s Pairings Exploration experiences. It features a selection of wines that match the flavor profiles of 4 small plates prepared by their award-winning chef. A knowledgeable winery attendant will then talk you through each pairing.
Argyle Winery: Gorgeous Tasting House
- Address: 691 OR-99W, Dundee, OR 97115
- Website: https://argylewinery.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-538-8520
Next up is the enchanting Argyle Winery, located in the heart of the Willamette Valley. The winery produces a variety of world-class Oregon wines but are most well-known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sparkling Wine.
The welcoming and modern tasting house provides a peaceful atmosphere to sip and sample wines. It even features an estimable library of the winery’s reserve wines, dating back to 1987 when Argyle Winery first opened.
Events like club member parties, brunches, and more take place at Argyle Winery on a regular basis, so be sure to check what next exciting event they have planned for your visit.
Flights and experiences range from $30 to $75, but glass pours are also available. In addition, the winery is available to host private events.
There is plenty of outdoor space, including a stunning garden that is home to west coast native plants, oak trees, evergreen trees, and shrubs.
Editor’s Note: The winery’s 2019 Nuthouse Pinot Noir has a luxurious and fruit expression, which only enhances over time.
Lemelson Vineyards: Spacious Patio
- Address: 12020 NE Stag Hollow Rd, Carlton, OR 97111
- Website: https://www.lemelsonvineyards.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-852-6619
Lemelson Vineyards is another top-quality winery in Willamette Valley, offering picturesque views, an inviting tasting room, and delicious wine.
Tastings cost $25 per person but are complimentary for wine club members and with a 2-bottle purchase. You’ll enjoy a flight of 5 to 6 wines, which you can sip either inside or outside in the winery’s stunning 3-level patio.
There is plenty of seating outside, as well as picnic blanket areas, and a warm wood-burning fire on the patio. The evergreen trees and rolling hills outside make for a charming and natural atmosphere so you can enjoy your wine in pure bliss.
Editor’s Note: The 2018 Reserve Chardonnay is sourced from the Chestnut Hill Vineyard, which has volcanic soils. This gives it a crisp and natural acidity with a long and mineral finish. It’s even better when shared with friends and family!
Domaine Drouhin Oregon: Delightful Atmosphere
- Address: 6750 NE Breyman Orchards Rd, Dayton, OR 97114
- Website: https://domainedrouhin.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-864-2700
Domaine Drouhin Oregon uses winemaking traditions from France to create phenomenal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. The expansive estate is filled with lush trees and vineyards, which provides a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere.
Tastings are available daily, but you’ll need to book in advance. There are a couple of tasting options to choose from, such as the Domaine Drouhin Oregon experience and the Range Chocolate Flight. The latter pairs well with the standard tasting experience and is the perfect choice for chocolate lovers.
Editor’s Note: The 2018 Edition Limitée Pinot Noir is one of the winery’s standout wines. It has tantalizing aromas of dried flowers, crushed stone, fennel, and boysenberry, with luxurious flavors of blackberry, Mirabelle plums, and shaved chocolate. Sublime!
Youngberg Hill Inn & Winery: Fantastic Tours
- Address: 10660 SW Youngberg Hill Rd, McMinnville, OR 97128
- Website: https://youngberghill.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-472-2727
Established in 1989, Youngberg Hill Inn & Winery is a family-owned and operated winery that makes some of the finest wines in Willamette Valley. It’s surrounded by vineyards, the Eola-Amity mountain range, and the Cascades.
On sunny days, you can even spot Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood! The tasting room is open each day for wine tastings, of which there are various options. The standard experience costs $20 per person but is complimentary for inn guests and club members.
One of the best features of this winery is its fascinating tours. You’ll drive through the winery’s gorgeous vineyards and learn more about the winery’s history and winemaking process. At the end of the tour, you’ll be treated to a personalized wine flight underneath a gazebo.
If you’re thinking of staying a night or two in Willamette Valley, the winery’s cozy inn is the perfect place to stay. There are various suites to choose from, all of which are well-presented, ultra modern, and come with a gourmet breakfast each morning.
Youngberg Hill Inn & Winery is also available to hire out for private events like birthday parties, weddings, and bridal showers. The peaceful setting and beautiful estate will make for an unforgettable day.
Editor’s Note: Featuring notes of wild berry, cooca, and freshly ground cinnamon, the 2018 Cuvée Pinot Noir is a must-try at this winery.
Adelsheim Winery: Stunning Seating Areas
- Address: 16800 NE Calkins Ln, Newberg, OR 97132
- Website: https://www.adelsheim.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-538-3652
Featuring jaw-dropping views and stellar wines, Adelsheim Winery provides a peaceful atmosphere and hard-to-beat tasting experience. You can enjoy your wine in one of the winery’s stunning seating areas, including a hilltop garden, patio, and cabana.
There are a range of tasting options to choose from, including Adelsheim Tasting and Adelsheim Estate Tasting. The latter includes a delicious combination of recent club releases, historic selections, and more.
If you’re looking for a beautiful place to catch up with friends and family over a bottle or two of luxurious wine, you can’t go wrong with Adelsheim Winery.
Editor’s Note: One wine you definitely need to try at this winery is the 2020 Artist Series Rosé, with strong flavors of strawberries and cream twitch notes or mineral, citrus, and floral.
Brooks Wine: Award-winning Wines
- Address: 21101 SE Cherry Blossom Lane, Amity, OR 97101
- Website: https://www.brookswine.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-435-1278
Brooks Wines is an award-winning winery that produces a variety of magnificent wines, including Pinot Noir and Riesling. They were even recently crowned one of the top 100 wineries by Wine & Spirits magazine!
The winery has indoor and outdoor experiences, so you can relax inside a cozy tasting room or soak up the sun outside on the upstairs deck or pergola. Tastings cost $20 per person (waived with a 3-glass purchase) and include 6 samples of the winery’s spectacular wines.
Brook Wines also offers phenomenal walking tours of the garden and estate, giving you a deeper look into its history and winemaking process. There is also the Elevated Tasting & Tour experience, which includes a tour around the winery’s garden, barrel room, production hall, and plenty of samples of wine.
Editor’s Note: If you fancy an acidic and medium-dry wine, opt for the 2017 La Chenaie Riesling. It has aromas of honey and flavors of fruit, leading to acidity, tne ending with a long-lasting finish.
Winter’s Hill Estate: Great Hospitality
- Address: 6451 NE Hilltop Ln, Dayton, OR 97114
- Website: https://wintershillwine.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-864-4592
Known for its outstanding wines and hospitality, Winter’s Hill Estate is a remarkable winery to visit in the Willamette Valley. It’s surrounded by fields and forests, as well as an abundance of wildlife, which provides a natural and charming backdrop.
You can sip on scrumptious wine either inside the welcoming tasting room or the outside covered patio, complete with views of the Coastal Mountains. You’ll be treated to a flight of 5 estate-grown wines, priced at $25 per person (waived with any $100 purchase).
The winery also hosts a range of events throughout the year, so make sure you check what’s in store for your visit.
With its mouthwatering wines and enchanting atmosphere, this winery is a gorgeous place to visit with friends, family, or that special someone.
Editor’s Note: The 2018 Pearly Everlasting is a unique blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, and is one to check out on your visit to this winery. The taste is fresh honeydew, citrus, and minerally. Delicious!
Rex Hill: Phenomenal Pinot Noir
- Address: 30835 OR-99W, Newberg, OR 97132
- Website: https://rexhill.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-538-0666
Rex Hill has been crafting exceptional Pinot Noir wine for over 35 years, so if you enjoy this varietal, you’ll no doubt appreciate what the winery has to offer. Rex Hill also produces a range of other wines, including Sparkling Wines and Chardonnay.
The recently renovated tasting room offers a warm and cozy atmosphere for sipping wine, but you can also enjoy a glass or bottle on the spacious patio. Small gourmet food items like cheeses, freshly-baked baguettes, and caviar are available too. These pair well with all of the winery’s marvelous wines.
Rex Hill can be rented out for private events, so if you’re looking for an enchanting venue with brilliant hospitality, the winery will make sure you and your guests have the best experience.
Editor’s Note: As this winery is known for its fantastic Pinot Noir, it seems only fitting to try the 2018 Reserve Pinot Noir. It has notes of various fruits, with flavors of cherry, fruit compote, and sweet pipe tobacco.
Chehalem Winery: Charming Ambiance
- Address: 106 South Center Street, Newberg, OR 97132
- Website: https://www.chehalemwines.com/
- Contact Number: (+1) 503-538-4700
Last but not least is the sublime Chehalem Winery, boasting a modern and rustic tasting room, relaxing guest houses for overnight stays, intriguing tours, and picturesque views.
Tastings cost $20 per person (waived with a $50 purchase) and include a flight of 6 single vineyard and reserve wines. You’ll be talked through each wine by one of the winery’s knowledgeable associates, while discovering more about the history and people of Chehalem.
The winery hosts exclusive wine club parties and live music, but they can also accommodate private events. Either the tasting room or den provides a tranquil and peaceful setting for small groups of up to 20, and is ideal for dinner parties, intimate birthday parties, and catch-ups with friends and family.
Editor’s Note: The winery’s 2018 Pinot Noir has won awards for its excellence, with juicy notes and flavors of blue and fruit fruits. The finish is velvety smooth and vibrant.
Also Read: Dundee Oregon Wine Tasting: Top 10 Wineries To Visit
Final Thoughts
The wineries above are some of the best in Willamette Valley, offering a relaxing and delicious experience that will have you craving for more, even after you’ve gone home.
Alternatively, if you’d rather treat yourself to a more private wine tasting, why not sign up for a wine club subscription like Naked Wines, Bright Cellars, and Winc?