It’s incredible to see. It’s fruits, vegetables, grains, hops, decorative plants—you name it. Drive to Carlton, McMinnville, or St. Paul and you’ll see it. This slice of the world is uniquely special and there’s a serenity that comes with it. Unplug and absorb the sounds and vibrations of the land here. It’s what we try to do everyday since moving here.

The short version: book ahead, book fewer than you think, and call if your plans change.

The splurge guide — spa stays, hot air balloons, private drivers, and the dinners worth planning a whole trip around.

A native’s list of what people get wrong before they get here. Tasting fees, timing, the grapes nobody expects, and why you should slow down.

The Gateway to Oregon Wine Country It’s the closest wine town to Portland (about forty-five minutes) and the first place you reach coming southwest on Hwy 99W and full of shops, restaurants and tasting rooms. It’s also home to the Allison Inn & Spa.

Some of my favorite hours in this valley have been spent behind the wheel with nowhere particular to be — up over a ridge, down through an orchard, past a barn that’s been leaning the same direction since I was a kid. The tasting rooms are wonderful. But the roads are the reason this place looks the way it does in your memory afterward.

Don’t spend your only free afternoon in the car. Pick the AVA closest to your approach and let the driving be the short part.

Oregon Wine Country is special because it feels both grounded and extraordinary. The scenery is stunning: vineyards, winding back roads, and mountain views. But what makes this place truly shine is the people. Yamhill County still feels like a small town. I run into familiar faces everywhere I go, and folks are genuinely kind and willing to lend a hand. As a small business owner, I’ve felt deeply supported here. There’s a real sense of community and collaboration that makes this region more than a destination.

It’s time to explore our backyard…the Chehalem Mountains AVA.

One full day is three tastings and a good dinner. Two full days is when the valley starts making sense.

I love giving gifts, especially when they support local businesses. Whether you’re a local sending a gift to someone, or you’re here visiting and want to take home a piece of Oregon with you, here are my top picks that you can’t go wrong with (seriously, these are awesome).

Twelve free courts at Jaquith, three indoors with a day pass, and a Facebook group that’ll tell you where the game is. Bring a paddle.

Nine AVAs, running north to south. Where each one is, what the soil does, and wine characteristics.

Everyone comes here for Pinot. The bubbles are the valley’s best-kept secret. If you’re here in February, that is the best time to enjoy them.

I love the community of the Oregon wine country. You will frequently run into winemakers, chefs and boutique owners all in line for coffee and chatting about the latest vintage. I also love that it is a place flush with small independently owned businesses.

There are a surprising amount of family-friendly places for you sit back and relax while the (well-behaved) kiddos run around.

When you go big, make reservations as early as possible for everything. Groups of 6 or more pretty much always require a reservation. There are lots of vacation rentals to choose from with more than 4 bedrooms.

McMinnville is the largest town in Oregon wine country and the only one where you can park the car Friday night and not touch it again until Sunday.