WILL TRAVEL FOR FOOD

The darling grounds for growing pinot noir and chardonnay, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is home to 700 vineyards and growing. While grape-growing is still relatively new to the area (vineyards were started in the late 1960s), the 150-mile-long and 60-mile-wide area has become increasingly popular with forwardthinking winemakers who like the mild climate and dry summers. A quick drive from Portland and the coast (find wineries just 45 minutes away from both) makes it attractive to visitors from both areas. Experience everything you have come to love about visiting a wine region, but do it in laid-back Oregon style in the Willamette Valley.

From more well-known names (think A to Z, Argyle and Elk Cove) to family-run and French-trained spots like Domaine Drouhin, you will often encounter the winemakers and owners sipping alongside you at the emerging brands in the valley, with plenty of stories to tell.

STAY The Atticus Hotel

Right in the heart of downtown McMinnville (also one of the hearts of the Willamette Valley), this charming 36-room boutique hotel is steps away from 18 tasting rooms and only a 20-minute drive in any direction from more than 250 wineries. While there are art galleries, renowned restaurants, farmers markets and breweries right out the door, you must take time to explore the art and carefully constructed nuances at the hotel first.

The staff will make you an expertly brewed cappuccino while you digest the custom pieces of art designed to showcase all that the town and Oregon have to offer. No detail was overlooked by the developers, who sourced approximately 80% of the building from Oregon producers. From the tile to the mattresses to the lighting and even the fixtures, as much as possible in the building originated from businesses based in the state.

Each of the unique rooms is purposely designed to make you feel comfortable and at home. Tubs are

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made cozier with the house body scrub/salt. Find a curated selection of books you can browse or buy in your room, selected by locals to contribute their favorites to the hotel’s community art projects. The selector also provides tips on how they would spend their prefect day in the area. It is all in the well-thought-out details here.

With a posse? The Bunkhouse, one of the hotel’s room options, sleeps up to six and is perfect for a girls’ getaway. Bikes are also available for use during your stay and will make it easy to get around the charming town.

Want to stay on a vineyard? Spots like Chehalem and Stoller Family Estate offer guesthouses for rent where you can kick back at the end of your long tasting-filled days over a cheese plate and your new favorite bottle. The Vintages Trailer Resort provides a casual option for glamping close to neighboring vineyards.

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TASTE

The Willamette Valley is speckled with character and an intense passion for elevating the experiences for the wine lovers who visit. You will find everything from European-style wineries to more experimental wines and smaller-production facilities. You may notice a trend of family-run businesses, and you’ll likely run into owners and family members while tasting.

At R. Stuart and Co.’s downtown tasting room, you may see the winemaker working late and checking on the product. Namesake Rob Stuart is the winemaker and passion behind the project. The winery is over 20 years old and makes everything from sparkling wine to port.

Chehalem is known for its singlevineyard pinot noirs and innovative whites. When Ben Stoller (also owner of Stoller Family Estate) took over as the owner, the winery quickly became one of only a few Oregon wineries to achieve B Corp status — which entails a rigorous certification process.

Touted as “distinctly Oregon,” Bergström Wines produces 10,000 cases a year of two chardonnays and nine pinot noirs from five estate vineyards. The grapes are grown without chemicals or pesticides, and the company is run by the family who started it.

When visiting Stoller Family Estate, find 225 acres of vines, primarily dedicated to pinot noir (70%) and chardonnay (25%). Viticulturists use innovative techniques here to bring out the best in the grapes.

With the cool ocean breezes coming from the Pacific Ocean only 37 miles away, Left Coast Estate is the perfect climate for growing grapes. The family-run vineyard takes a holistic approach to its all-estate wines.

A darling of the region, Domaine Serene offers much of what you have come to expect when you visit a luxury winemaker — sweeping hills and an impressive clubhouse designed to delight anyone who stops by. The winemakers go for a low yield, allowing for the fruit to offer the maximum expression of the land.

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LEGACY ESTATE VINEYARD

The Drouhin family has been producing wine in Burgundy since 1880, and now its fourth generation of winemakers has been working in the Dundee Hills since 1987. The wines at Domaine Drouhin are all estate-grown, and its 124 acres are high-density planting and LIVEcertified (researched-based standards for sustainable winegrowers).

At Legacy Estate Vineyard, you will find Eola Hills Wine Cellars, one of Oregon’s largest wineries, producing 80,000 cases a year. Tastings offer five varieties and seasonal additions.

Bryn Mawr Vineyards rests at one of the highest and rockiest sites in the valley. Its winemaker takes a new-world approach to produce innovative red, white and rosé.

DINE

From vegan spots to taco trucks to fine dining endorsed by the James Beard Foundation, there is no shortage of foodie options. McMinnville specifically, was even recognized by Bon Appétit as a top foodie destination in the nation.

Home to casual brewpubs, woodfired pizza and classic breakfast joints, McMinnville allows you to go as upscale or as casual as you’d like. Within walking distance from the Atticus, don’t miss Pizza Capo for wood-fired Neapolitan-style pies, Nick’s Italian Cafe (James Beard award winning) and an all-American breakfast at Crescent Café.

Take an excursion to the Mac Market and try an assortment of

local favorites at this food hall. We loved the freshly fried doughnuts.

Want to branch out and dine while you drink? Left Coast offers a pizza pairing experience that is perfect for recharging on carbs throughout the day. The pizza is the real deal, cooked out of a wood oven with classic and gourmet options available.

At Domaine Serene, you can pair your wines with Oregon oysters or a cheese plate to go along with your tasting.

Not to be missed is a gastronomic tasting at Stoller Family Estate. Culinary Director Becca Richards prepares a dish to accompany each wine, and the result is impeccable. Imagine caviar on a farm fresh-egg to go along with your chardonnay or filet mignon with chimichurri to match the History Red Blend.

Other spots to check out include Venti’s in Salem. Many of the dishes can be made vegan. Don’t miss the red curry fries. Subterra is a classic wine-country, family-run spot in Newberg that was recently remodeled.

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