If you are heading to the Willamette Valley there’s something new happening in downtown Mcminnville: the Mcminnville wine walk.
Little did I realize a decade ago just how lucky I was to have ended up living in the Willamette Valley. I grew up in southern Oregon and moved up to the area as a teenager and just stuck around. In the Willamette Valley we are blessed to have hazelnuts, farmer’s markets, fruits stands every few miles, and wine. Lots of wine.
The cool thing about the region is that there are plenty of different options for wine tastings. You can venture out onto wineries located at the vineyard sites and relax with gorgeous views, or you can take a few friends and visit through adorable tasting rooms throughout the small towns around here.
I live in the upper Willamette Valley, in Yamhill county. One of the larger towns, Mcminnville has an amazing downtown area that is fun to walk along and hosts many local tasting rooms along the way.
About the Mcminnville Wine Walk:
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to a media opening for a new wine passport that Mcminnville has for wine tasting. It’s a fun little program called the Mcminnville wine walk. Essentially it’s a free little booklet that introduces the 20 local tasting rooms to you, gives you a little information about them, and then has a spot where you can get the page stamped after visiting. It’s a great way to keep track of what you liked where, and after you collect so many stamps you can get fun little gifts like a tasting notes booklet or a stemless portable wine glass.
If you’re in the area you can download the map here or ask one of the tasting rooms for a booklet.
All of the places are fun to visit, but I definitely recommend stopping by R. Stuart & Co., Winderlea & Brittan Vineyards, Dominio IV, Ransom Wine & Spirits, and Elizabeth Chambers Cellar, as each one of the tasting rooms and wines offer a unique experience.
Also, here’s a list of local downtown restaurants to stop by for lunch or dinner – I personally enjoy dining at the Golden Valley Brewery, Nick’s Italian Cafe, and the La Ramlba.
Have you ever been to Mcminnville before? What are some of your favorite wineries and tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley? I have a long list of places I still need to visit. 🙂
~Melissa
1 comment