There’s something magical about Oregon wine country in winter. The crowds thin, the pace slows, and a quiet beauty settles over the vine-covered hills. Here in the Willamette Valley, winter offers a chance to experience this remarkable winegrowing region at its most intimate. While rain and snow can (and do) visit us, there are also clear days, cozy tasting rooms and farm-to-table restaurants to explore. With this in mind, here’s our team’s insider’s guide to a magical winter wine weekend in the Willamette Valley!
Friday Evening: Arrival in McMinnville
As twilight settles over the valley, make your way to McMinnville, the beating heart of Oregon wine country that’s also known as Oregon’s friendliest small town. Check into the Atticus Hotel and relax with a game of chess in their lobby. Settle into your room; each one featuring carefully curated local art and a cozy fireplace. Wrap yourself in a Pendleton wool robe – a quintessentially Oregon touch – and settle into the rhythm of wine country living.
For dinner, stroll down Third Street for a candlelit dinner at James Beard nominated Humble Spirit. More than just a restaurant, it is a living collaboration between Tabula Rasa Farm and the chefs. The nightly ‘farm cut’ showcases heritage breeds raised on thoughtfully managed pastures. . Each plate tells the story of regenerative farming and the flavors that can only come from this particular piece of Oregon earth.
Saturday Morning: Local Treasures in McMinnville
On the first full day of your winter wine weekend in the Willamette Valley, begin at Cypress in the Atticus Hotel, where the aromatic swirl of Turkish coffee meets the warming spices of shakshuka. This Middle Eastern-inspired café offers a bright start to a winter’s morning, with eggs poached in tomato sauce that’s rich with cumin and pepper. Perfect for dipping in their fresh-baked pita.
After breakfast, explore Third Street’s treasures. Thumb through vinyl at Vortex Records, where rare pressings await discovery. Next door, Third Street Books beckons with its carefully curated cookbook collection – a testament to the region’s deep connection to food and wine culture. A few steps away, the charming boutique, La Bella Casa, occupies the historic Wright building. Pick up a souvenir of your trip – from beautifully scented candles to handmade chocolates – to remember the warmth of wine country living. Need a gift to take home? They offer gorgeous complimentary gift-wrapping all year round.
Saturday Afternoon: Discovering the Van Duzer Corridor
Make your way to visit our team at Van Duzer Vineyards – we’re intentionally off the beaten path, tucked two miles down a gravel road making each tasitng an adventure. The Essentials Tasting offers an intimate journey through our Block Collection – six distinctive Pinot Noirs that tell the story of specific vineyard blocks and clonal selections. As your wine concierge guides you through each pour, you’ll discover how the Van Duzer winds shape not just the climate, but the very character of these wines.
The small-production nature of these blocks – each expressing its own personality through careful stewardship and minimal intervention – offers a rare opportunity to taste the subtle variations in soil, aspect, and microclimate that make this corridor so distinctive.
Winter in the Van Duzer Corridor reveals the bones of the landscape. Picture undulating hills and the strategic positioning of vineyards to capture or shelter from the maritime winds that define this American Viticultural Area (AVA). This is the perfect season to understand why this region produces wines of such distinctive character. Pinot Noirs are defined by structured acidity and complex flavors that develop during long, gentle ripening periods.
After your tasting, follow the winding country roads to Blue Raeven Farmstand – because what pairs better with wine tasting than pie for lunch? Since 1987, the Lewis family has been baking what many consider the best pies in Oregon. Their famously flaky crusts are filled with fruit from their own 130-acre berry farm just minutes from our vineyard. Trust us, there’s nothing quite like following up a flight of Pinot with a piece of perfect pie. Our favorite? Anything with marionberries – and that taste of summer sunshine.
Saturday Evening: A Winter’s Night in Wine Country
As afternoon light fades, make your way to the Bitter Monk, a beloved gathering spot where you’ll often find local winemakers unwinding after a day in the cellar. There’s truth in the old saying that “it takes a lot of good beer to make great wine,” and this craft beer haven proves it. The carefully curated tap list mirrors the same attention to detail you’ll find in Van Duzer’s vineyard blocks. Sample beer selections that each tell their own story of craft and place.
Before dinner, head to Mac Market. This community gathering space embodies the collaborative spirit of Oregon wine country. Stock up on local provisions – perhaps some Briar Rose Creamery cheese (we’re obsessed with the Butter Baby), made just up the road in the Dundee Hills, or fresh bread for tomorrow’s breakfast.
For dinner, you’re in for a treat at Hayward Restaurant, where Chef Kari Shaughnessy is crafting some of the most exciting cuisine in the valley. Within Mac Market’s polished industrial space, her globally-inspired dishes spotlight hyper-seasonal ingredients from local farmers. Think chilled coast mussels with horseradish and seaweed dulse, or a playful steak tartare presented like a miniature cheeseburger. This James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant nationwide combines warm hospitality with inventive and ever-changing menus.
In the mood for pizza instead? Just down Third Street, Pizza Capo crafts wood-fired pies that speak to both Italian tradition and Oregon bounty. Their authentic recipes showcase local ingredients in ways that complement our valley’s wines beautifully. Here’s an insider tip that wine country locals swear by: if the winter chicory salad is on the menu, don’t miss it. It’s a perfect match for a glass of Willamette Valley Pinot.
Sunday Morning: Local Flavors and Local Hikes
Just steps from the Atticus, begin your final morning at Alchemist’s Jam. This artisanal bakery crafts exceptional sourdough breads using organic Oregon grains. Just as delicious are their house-made jams that capture local fruits at their peak. Don’t miss their double chocolate moon phase cookies – a beloved local favorite. It’s a perfect pair with your morning espresso, featuring a specialty roast from Portland’s Bastion Coffee. Arrive early, as these handcrafted treasures tend to sell out quickly.
Afterward, with provisions in hand, make your way to the Trappist Abbey trails. These 40 miles of pathways weave through the heart of wine country. They can be chilly, however, here in Oregon we don’t let a bit of rain or cold weather keep us from our outdoors activity. Moreover, we believe that a winter hike is the perfect way to experience the quiet beauty of the season. The morning fog, much like the Van Duzer winds that define our wines, drifts through the trees. Each hike is a reminder of nature’s constant influence on this special place. Pro-tip: Remember to check before heading out to make sure trails are open in inclement weather.
Before heading home, take the scenic drive to Northwest Fresh Seafood in Newberg. Winter is when Oregon’s seafood truly shines – sweet Dungeness crab and briny oysters are at their peak. Winter seafood is the perfect complement to a bottle of Van Duzer Estate Chardonnay. As you wrap up your winter wine weekend in the Willamette Valley, bring a cooler and stock up on seafood and wine for home.
Where to Stay: A winter wine weekend in the Willamette Valley
Beyond the Atticus Hotel, consider Inn the Ground, where luxury accommodations sit above a working regenerative farm. Each morning brings a new connection to the land. Whether watching winter vegetables being harvested for breakfast or seeing the careful pruning of dormant vines, it epitomizes what the Willamette Valley is all about.
Alternatively, for those seeking wine country immersion, the Black Walnut Inn & Vineyard in the Dundee Hills offers lavish suites with soaking tubs – perfect for warming up after a day of exploration. The inn sits a stone’s throw from our owner’s newest site, the 53-acre Thoma Vineyard. From your suite’s vantage point, watch winter fog drift across these prized volcanic hillsides. It’s a beautiful glimpse into why the Dundee Hills have long called to lovers of Oregon Pinot Noir.
A Final Note: Why Winter is Our Favorite Season
Winter in Oregon wine country isn’t about flashy tasting rooms or crowds. It’s about discovering the quiet beauty of a working agricultural landscape. It’s about connecting with passionate makers, and understanding how this unique corridor of wind-swept vineyards produces wines of distinguished character. Most importantly, it’s about slowing down, diving deeper, and experiencing the authentic heart of Oregon wine country.
As you plan your winter wine weekend in the Willamette Valley, remember that winter brings its own rhythm to the valley. Reservations are easier to secure, winemakers have more time to chat, and life moves slower. This is Oregon wine country at its most intimate and revealing. It’s a time when the connection between people, place, and product becomes beautifully clear. It’s one of our favorite times of year and we hope it becomes yours too.
