Willamette Valley, located in Oregon, is a renowned destination for wine lovers, especially known for its exceptional Pinot Noir. This list of the 15 best winery tours was curated based on the quality of wines, unique tasting experiences, scenic beauty, and customer reviews. Information was gathered from sources such as Wine Enthusiast, Carpe Travel, and World Guides to Travel to provide a comprehensive guide for wine enthusiasts.
Wineries Reviewed
- Domaine Serene
- Eyrie Vineyards
- Brigadoon Wine Co.
- Beckham Estate Vineyard
- Domaine Drouhin
- Bergström Wines
- Beaux Frères
- Ayres Vineyard
- Eminent Domaine
- Ken Wright Cellars
- Adelsheim Vineyard
- Brick House Vineyards
- Fairsing Vineyard
- Van Duzer Vineyards
- Soter Vineyards
1. Domaine Serene
Location: 6555 NE Hilltop Lane, Dayton, OR 97114
Website: domaineserene.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: “Prestige” tasting in a luxury clubhouse
Accolades: High-quality wines, detailed vineyard geology tours
Why Visit: Domaine Serene offers a luxurious tasting experience with an emphasis on high-quality wines and detailed educational tours.
2. Eyrie Vineyards
Location: 935 NE 10th Ave, McMinnville, OR 97128
Website: eyrievineyards.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: Signature tasting with historical insights
Accolades: Pioneer of the modern Willamette Valley wine era
Why Visit: Eyrie Vineyards provides a historical perspective on the region’s wine, offering a deep dive into its extensive library collection.
3. Brigadoon Wine Co.
Location: 25167 Ferguson Rd, Junction City, OR 97448
Website: brigadoonwineco.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Riesling
Wine Tastings: Casual, walk-in friendly
Accolades: Known for pure, focused wines
Why Visit: Brigadoon Wine Co. offers a rustic, charming setting with excellent wines and beautiful valley views.
4. Beckham Estate Vineyard
Location: 30790 SW Heater Rd, Sherwood, OR 97140
Website: beckhamestatevineyard.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Amphora-aged wines
Wine Tastings: Unique amphora-aged wines
Accolades: First commercial producer of terra cotta amphorae for winemaking in North America
Why Visit: Beckham Estate Vineyard combines art and winemaking, offering a unique tasting experience with amphora-aged wines.
5. Domaine Drouhin
Location: 6750 NE Breyman Orchards Rd, Dayton, OR 97114
Website: domainedrouhin.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: Comparative tastings of Oregon and Burgundy wines
Accolades: “French Soul, Oregon Soil” tasting experience
Why Visit: Domaine Drouhin offers a unique comparative tasting that pairs their Oregon wines with their Burgundian counterparts.
6. Bergström Wines
Location: 18215 NE Calkins Ln, Newberg, OR 97132
Website: bergstromwines.com
Best Known For: Estate and single-vineyard wines
Wine Tastings: Private, seated tastings
Accolades: Known for high-quality white wines
Why Visit: Bergström Wines offers an intimate, educational tasting experience on their open-air patio.
7. Beaux Frères
Location: 15155 NE North Valley Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
Website: beauxfreres.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: By appointment only
Accolades: Known for minimal intervention winemaking
Why Visit: Beaux Frères offers a focused and informative tasting experience, showcasing the terroir of the region.
8. Ayres Vineyard
Location: 17971 NE Lewis Rogers Ln, Newberg, OR 97132
Website: ayresvineyard.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: Personalized tastings with the winemaker
Accolades: Intimate “garagista” winery
Why Visit: Ayres Vineyard provides a personal, detailed tasting experience directly with the winemaker.
9. Eminent Domaine
Location: 20875 NE Ribbon Ridge Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
Website: eminentdomaine.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: Modern tasting room with spectacular views
Accolades: Recently received multiple 90+ point reviews
Why Visit: Eminent Domaine offers stunning views and top-rated wines in a contemporary setting.
10. Ken Wright Cellars
Location: 236 N Kutch St, Carlton, OR 97111
Website: kenwrightcellars.com
Best Known For: Single-vineyard Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: Housed in a historic train station
Accolades: Known for showcasing unique terroirs
Why Visit: Ken Wright Cellars offers a deep dive into single-vineyard wines, emphasizing the unique characteristics of each terroir.
11. Adelsheim Vineyard
Location: 16800 NE Calkins Ln, Newberg, OR 97132
Website: adelsheim.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: Reservations recommended
Accolades: Founding winery of the Willamette Valley AVA
Why Visit: Adelsheim Vineyard provides a foundational experience in understanding Willamette Valley wines.
12. Brick House Vineyards
Location: 18200 NE Lewis Rogers Ln, Newberg, OR 97132
Website: brickhousewines.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: By appointment only
Accolades: Certified organic and biodynamic vineyard
Why Visit: Brick House offers a sustainable wine tasting experience with a focus on organic and biodynamic practices.
13. Fairsing Vineyard
Location: 21455 NE Burkett Hill Rd, Yamhill, OR 97148
Website: fairsingvineyard.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Wine Tastings: Stunning viewpoint for tastings
Accolades: Spectacular panoramic views
Why Visit: Fairsing Vineyard offers one of the most beautiful tasting settings in the valley, perfect for a picturesque wine experience.
14. Van Duzer Vineyards
Location: 11975 Smithfield Rd, Dallas, OR 97338
Website: vanduzer.com
Best Known For: Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: Features the unique Van Duzer corridor
Accolades: Known for its geological uniqueness
Why Visit: Van Duzer Vineyards provides a unique wine tasting experience influenced by the Van Duzer corridor’s cooling breezes.
15. Soter Vineyards
Location: 10880 NE Mineral Springs Rd, Carlton, OR 97111
Website: sotervineyards.com
Best Known For: Sparkling wines, Pinot Noir
Wine Tastings: By appointment only
Accolades: Known for luxurious wine experiences
Why Visit: Soter Vineyards offers a high-end tasting experience with a focus on both sparkling and still wines.
Conclusion
Willamette Valley offers a diverse range of wineries, each providing unique experiences and exceptional wines. Whether you’re looking for historical significance, sustainable practices, or simply beautiful settings, this list of the 15 best winery tours provides a comprehensive guide for wine enthusiasts looking to explore the best of what the Willamette Valley has to offer.