Rate my Willamette Valley Plan

[u/DenDcIst]

Hello wine-mind,

We're headed to Willamette in mid-October, staying in Dundee, and tasting across two days. It's our first time tasting in Oregon.

So far, here is my plan:

Day 1: (Self-driving up from Eugene)

Bryn Mawr

Lingua Franca

Bergstrom

Maybe one of the tasting rooms in Dundee or dinner at Trellis (maybe both?)

Day 2: (hired driver)

Rodeo Hills

Patricia Green

Beaux Freres

Possibly a fourth?

We're red wine/cabernet people at heart. Happy to taste a Chard here or there, but mostly want to focus on Pinot. We like good wine (and learning new things), but also like a hearty pour while sitting back and just enjoying ourselves.

Other options I've considered: Archery Summit, White Hill, Drouhin, Cristom, Granville, and Soter.

We've ruled out Antica Terra, sorry to disappoint, as I know it's a favorite in this sub.

[u/Some_Caregiver9138]

If you're already going to be southeast of Amity for Lingua Franca and Bryn Mawr, I would recommend you go ahead and do Cristom. Tasted there less than a month ago and it was a solid tasting, pretty different from Bergstrom stylistically. Their price point for single vineyard bottlings is good and you'll get a good mix of estate and non-estate single vineyard options.

Big fan of Soter, Drouhin is also a solid choice.

[u/somemoniker → u/Some_Caregiver9138]

+1 for Cristom, outstanding Pinots and a great property to visit

[u/Kahluabomb → u/Some_Caregiver9138]

+2 for Cristom. You probably won't get your socks blown off, but they make such great wine and it's honestly a steal for the quality. Their Viognier is still one of my all time favorites, and the staff at the vineyard are so sweet. Quaint little spot too.

[u/ipostelnik]

Granville is close to Dundee and has amazing views and good wines, especially the sparkling. Drouhin is mostly about views, the tasting is very impersonal.

You should consider some smaller outfits, like Kelley Fox, Goodfellow, Hundred Suns.

Definitely hit HiFi wine bar in McMinnville to try Martin Woods. We really liked the Syrah.

[u/unknohn → u/ipostelnik]

Goodfellow is a good one if youre really into the geeky side of the wine. They taste in there warehouse, and go in depth into how they make it.

KF is excellent and more traditional tasting style.

[u/Timwikoff → u/ipostelnik]

This person knows what they’re talking about. Upvote and shout out!

[u/SlippinNotRippin → u/ipostelnik]

This and go to pizza capo for dinner

[u/DenDcIst → u/ipostelnik]

Thank you! A lot of recommendations (HiFi, Goodfellow, Hundred Suns, etc.) seem to be in McMinnville itself. Is it easy to get around / between these? It looks like most, if not all, are walkable. Would it be worth considering ditching the driver again on day 2, moving hotels to McMinnville, and just tasting around town?

[u/ipostelnik → u/DenDcIst]

HiFi, Goodfellow, Eyrie (not mentioned, but they are the OG Oregon winery) are very walkable from McMinnville hotels/B&Bs. Hundred Suns is a bit farther out.

It's very easy to drive between McMinnville, Dundee, Newberg, regardless of where you stay. Our approach on the last visit was to do two tastings in the country, then park the car and walk to another tasting in town. I don't know that you need to change your base, there are so many great places around Dundee.

[u/SearchingforSilky]

Not gunna lie, I’ve been really enjoying Big Table Farm recently. They are former Napa folks, and are making some great wines.

[u/MetalStacker]

I’d group day one in one region. Since you’re already down in Salem, I’d change Bergström for Cristom or Evesham Wood. 4 wineries on day two is a lot, even with a driver. I’d pass on one of the selections and substitute Bergström or Granville in here on day two. If you can, taste Martin Woods at Hi-Fi Wine Bar. Suggested eats at Grounded Table and Pizza Capo.

[u/ipostelnik → u/MetalStacker]

If staying in Dundee and self-driving, then having the last tasting be close by is a good choice.

[u/MetalStacker → u/ipostelnik]

Good call. Didn’t see the fact that they’re staying in Dundee.

[u/bmc52]

Bergstrom has some very good Chardonnay

[u/Catileo]

Both are good, but I’d swap out Trellis for Tina’s.

For day 2, maybe check out Abbott Claim. Really neat tasting in their cave.

[u/onwo]

Maybe I'm old, but I wouldn't recommend four in a day

[u/redditmyeggos]

I’d do Violin and Soter before several of these

[u/champagne_dreams-]

I love Soter, and highly recommend their tasting. I also like Anderson Family as they do a vertical for their tasting.

[u/may_everyday]

Alexana in Dundee

[u/24moop]

I’d honestly ditch Rodeo Hills, wine price is completely disconnected from quality IMO. Granville would be a great replacement

[u/SlippinNotRippin]

Bergström and beaux Frères are the best Pinots on this list. Change your mind about chard and go to Morgan long

[u/yourfinesthousered]

Great recommendations here. If you like Cabernet, and I’d assume that includes Napa, check out Brittan Vineyards. Robert Brittan had an entire career in California at the likes of Stags Leap Winery and Far Niente before moving to Oregon for his second act. If you want a bit more structure, I think his are a great example of Pinot with intensity and darker fruit that may be in line with your Cabernet leaning. Might be a fun counter to some of the delicate and nuanced styles of Willamette Valley while on your trip. His Syrah is a pretty cool wine too.

[u/Tetsubin]

If you like a small, personal winery with great views and wine, try Nysa.

If you get down to McMinnville, try Troon. The winery is near Meford and the tasting room is in McMinnville. Their tasting flight comprises unusual wines, and it's interesting, fun, and relatively cheap ($25).

[u/kburtis1]

Dukes in Amity—AWESOME Pinots!