This area offers so much more to do beyond wine tasting. Exceptional Guided Willamette Valley Tour OptionsĮxplore a vast and diverse wine culture and landscape… Take a laid-back country car ride through the rolling hills, stop at boutique cellar doors for wine tastings, pair local wines with the local cuisine or take a horseback ride through the vines. Whether you’re a fan of the colors of autumn foliage, prefer the lush green colors of the summer months with minimal humidity, or you’re simply trying to escape the heatwave pounding South Florida in mid-December - Willamette Valley has something for everyone. Willamette Valley offers travelers an opportunity to explore a unique landscape and diverse visuals dependent upon seasonal preferences…
The only other wine region with this designation is Napa Valley, and comparable to “Champagne” and “Port” for place and name protection. awarded Willamette Valley PGI (Protected Geographic Origin) status. Not only is the Willamette Valley producing some of the finest cool-climate wines, but last year the E.U. In 2021, Wine Spectator rated three Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs and two Chardonnays on its Top 100 Wines for the year. Willamette Valley is producing some of the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the world… But first, some background on Willamette Valley and why it should be at the top of your list as a New World wine region to visit this year. Also be sure to check out some of our favorite hotels in the region at this link, although we do make additional recommendations throughout the itinerary below.
It’s recommended that you rent a car from PDX, as most of the wineries are within an hour of the airport. You can get updates on flight deals as they arise here.
The closest airport to Willamette is Portland International (Airport Code PDX).
You can also browse wineries in Willamette on the free Winetraveler App. We went out and spoke with regional experts, winery owners, and certified wine professionals in an effort to help our readers craft a Willamette Valley Itinerary tailored to their tastes. The Winetraveler team has spent the past couple of months focusing on exposing some of the best Willamette Valley wineries, restaurants, hotels, and things to do in the region. If you’re an oenophile or experiential wine traveler with a passion for cooler climate varietals, lush green countryside, unique boutique accommodation, and delicious eats, the Willamette Valley wine region is sure to accommodate your travel desires.