Willamette Valley: Private Trip from Portland with Wine Tastings

Portland’s food and wine scene is legendary, drawing in scores of foodie visitors from across the country and beyond, but did you know that Oregon is among the most prestigious wine producers in the US? One of the wine world's hidden gems, the most famous wine region in the state is the Willamette Valley, which is home to more than 700 wineries. Located less than an hour from central Portland, the Willamette Valley makes for an easy day trip, where you can take in gorgeous views of the local countryside and taste world-class wines.

On this private full-day wine excursion, you will:

• Escape the city with comfortable round-trip transportation to and from your hotel in Portland;
• Discover the most famous wine region in Oregon;
• Learn about the distinguishing features of Willamette Valley AVA;
• Take in picturesque views of the Willamette River and the charming countryside that surrounds it;
• Visit three fantastic Boutique Wineries;
• Learn about the history, terroir, and character of Willamette Valley wine;
• Indulge in three tastings of a variety of local wines;
• Savor Oregon’s acclaimed gastronomy with a local lunch.

When you think about wine culture in the United States, Oregon certainly does not spring to mind for most people. Believe it or not, wine has been cultivated in the area since the 1840s! It became an important industry from the 1960s onward, when innovative California winemakers began to plant vineyards in the region. On our Willamette Valley private trip from Portland, you will gain a deep understanding and appreciation of the viniculture of the area, with special access to tasting rooms at three boutique wineries. Most importantly, you will have the chance to taste an array of the wonderful Willamette wines, which are bound to delight wine connoisseurs and novices alike. 

Your excursion begins when you are picked up from your hotel or a prearranged meeting point in downtown Portland. You will then embark on a pleasant journey to the Willamette Valley, a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA). The term AVA refers to a grape-growing area proven to have unique geographic and cultural characteristics, and your driver-guide will explain the nuances of the Willamette Valley appellation. Contemplating the lush green landscape on your scenic drive, you will learn how the cool, moist climate provides optimum conditions for the cultivation of many exceptional grapes from around the world, including the world-class Pinot Noir that put Willamette Valley on the map.

You will spend your time sipping your way around Oregon's most emblematic wine territory, wandering through vineyards, and taking in the tasting rooms at three carefully selected wineries. You will taste outstanding examples of Oregon wines, a testament to the diverse, multifaceted wine-making culture of the region. You will get an insight into the specifics of wine production at the three distinct locations and see firsthand how passion, sustainability, and an abundance of small independent wineries have firmly established Oregon at the cutting edge of American wine production. 

Each visit will of course provide an opportunity to purchase some of these wines to take home with you if you are so inclined, many of which are not typically shipped out of state. In addition to the three intimate tasting experiences, lunch is also included in your itinerary so you can experience Willamette Valley's cuisine, lauded for its farm-to-table approach revolving around fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients.

Once your delicious day among the vineyards comes to an end, you can sit back and relax as your driver-guide will return you to Portland, either back to your hotel or another location of your choosing in Central City.