Man oh man, one of my favorite things in the world is wine tasting! Not necessarily because I love wine but because I LOVE the views of the Willamette Valley. This is without a doubt where I bring every visitor so they can soak in the beautiful valley views as I drive through the windy forested roads to get to our destination. Below I will talk about the perfect weekend wine tasting in the Willamette Valley and a rough itinerary of wineries to visit each day.

The Willamette Valley is Oregon’s leading wine region, and it is primarily recognized for its Pinot Noir. However, as the years have passed and the climate has changed, there has been an increase in Chardonnay and white wines production. The location of the Willamette Valley makes it perfect for wine as you will find the Cascade Range to the east, protecting the location from extreme heat, and the Pacific Ocean on the west drifting in cold air. Read more about the valley here.

The Willamette Valley has many bed and breakfast options, harvest host camping options, nearby Airbnb and hotel options for a weekend visit. However, its proximity to Portland also allows for day trips, as long as you’re not drinking and driving! Another good thing to think about during your wine tasting weekend is that each winery costs about $30 for a tasting, so for a day it can be pretty pricey!

Now, providing recommendations is going to be super hard because I truly love most of the wineries in the Willamette Valley. There are over 700 different wineries, so the options are endless.

One thing to note is you will need reservations for each place, so give them a call or check the website to make a reservation. Without any further adoe, here are my favorite wineries. For your convenience I have placed them by day as some are closer to each other than others.

Day Trip 1: WillaKenzie, Gran Moraine, Stoller
WillaKenzie: Family owned, expansive views and a master at crafting Pinot Noirs.
Gran Moraine: The first and only place that I have been told “it’s not about what the wine tastes like, it’s what kind of music would you be listening to with this wine?” Open winery with lots of outdoor seating and dog friendly!
Stoller: Environmentally sustainable, large, covered patio, expansive views and food menu!

Day Trip 2: Archery Summit, White Rose Estate, Domaine Serene
Archery Summit: Who wouldn’t want to drink in a cave? Pretty freaking cool!
White Rose Estate: Panoramic views, ability to picnic outside and bring your own food, dog friendly patio/yard seating and amazing (but expensive) wine. The inside may feel small but unique and “cave like”, no doubt super cool interior. Not to mention the more beautiful outdoor toilet you’ve ever seen, and they have an espresso machine!
Domaine Serene: The most “classic” and popular of all the Willamette Valley wineries due to its prestigious driveway and views

Day Trip 3: Blakeslee, Ponzi, Parrett Mountain Cellars
Blakeslee: I was a bit thrown off from the cannon sound, but that was to scare off and birds. If you’re a member you can check out their pool deck/pool too!
Ponzi: One of my favorites. Bocce Ball available out front. A view different than any of the other wineries. Amazing chardonnay.
Parrett Mountain Cellars: Occasional live music and wood fired pizza. What more could you ask for!?

Where to stay?

When planning your trip, you will need to figure out overnight accommodations ahead of time. Here are some options:
Fancy: The Allison Inn & Spa
Retro: McMenamins Hotel Oregon
Romantic: Bella Collina Bed & Breakfast
Unique: The Vintages Trailer
Value: The Dundee

Now, you may find that you’ve gone off the beaten path and found love with other wineries during your stay. That’s great! I honestly have not stumbled into any wineries that I would not recommend. Regardless of the wineries, you will enjoy your time, even if your wallet won’t be happy. I hope you have the perfect weekend wine tasting in the Willamette Valley!

Disclaimer: You may find this post has some hotel affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you I get a small portion for the advertisement, if you click through and book. However, I would absolutely never recommend something to you that I don’t 100% agree with!

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