Taking a craft approach to viticulture is a time-honored tradition among Willamette Valley wineries, and biodynamic principles and organic practices are common in all parts of the Willamette Valley. It’s literally impossible to find a winery in the Willamette Valley with a bad or boring view — and Oregon’s natural beauty provides an ideal complement to its wines. Outdoor tasting options vary by individual winery, but they range from a simple wooden picnic table under a shade tree to luxurious private outdoor pods and many scenarios in between.
Following are 13 Willamette Valley wineries that offer outdoor wine tasting where you can celebrate Oregon Wine Month and beyond. Keep in mind that the Willamette Valley is home to over 700 wineries, so those listed here will simply jumpstart your adventures with outdoor wine tasting.
1. Bluebird Hill Cellars
25059 Larson Rd.
Lebanon, OR 97456
(503) 424-2478
Website
Bluebird Hill Estates offers customized outdoor wine tasting experiences with a side of spectacular birdwatching. As its name suggests, the area has an abundant bluebird population that usually puts in an appearance to greet winery guests. The covered front porch with outdoor heaters provides a cozy perch for enjoying a vineyard view while savoring small-batch varietals.
2. Cherry Hill Winery
7867 Crowley Road
Rickreall, OR 97371
(503) 623-7867
Website
Set against a backdrop of the Eola Hills just west of Oregon’s state capital, Salem, Cherry Hill Winery offers tasting on their deck overlooking their vineyards and flower gardens. Guests also enjoy views of Oregon’s Coast Range. Chocolate-covered cherries are available to pair with Cherry Hill’s award-winning Pinot Noir as a nod to the area’s cherry production heritage.
3. Cooper Mountain Vineyards
20121 SW Leonardo Lane
Beaverton, OR 97007
(503) 649-0027
Website
As one of the pioneers among Willamette Valley wineries in the production of biodynamic wines, this multigenerational winery began making organic wines several decades ago. There are four separate Old Vine vineyards on the estate, producing serious wines that reflect the family’s deep connection to their land. Visitors can enjoy the results in their covered outdoor tasting room along with views of surrounding vineyards, nearby orchards, and the conifer forests of the Oregon Coast Range. Organic treats from local craft producers are available for pairing during tasting sessions.
4. Helvetia Winery
23269 NW Yungen Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 647-7596
Website
Designated outdoor tasting area include open-air picnic tables, deck seating, and a covered tent for those Oregon days when being under the open sky isn’t advisable. Guests enjoy views of the Tualatin Mountain Range and a family-friendly outdoor environment that welcomes well-behaved furry friends. Large groups are welcome here with advance notice. While you’re enjoying your visit, ask about their custom labels — these make great personalized celebratory gifts.
5. Sweet Cheeks Winery
27007 Briggs Hill Rd
Eugene, OR 97405
(541) 349-9463
Website
Another southern Willamette Valley winery with deep roots in the area’s volcanic soil, Sweet Cheeks Winery is situated on the top of Briggs Hill road just outside of Eugene. An outdoor space in the form of a covered patio equipped with a fireplace and several propane space heaters is available for tasting while savoring views of Eugene and the Coast and Cascade Mountain Ranges.
6. King Estate
80854 Territorial Hwy
Eugene, OR 97405
(541) 685-5189
Website
Holding court at the southern end of the Willamette Valley on 1033 idyllic acres and flanked by the Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, King Estate offers wine tasting experiences from their terraced patios. Guests soak in views of nearby forests and fields as well as Eugene’s cityscape. As North America’s largest certified biodynamic winery, King Estate has been a leading light in Oregon’s organic wine industry for over three decades. Although Pinot Noir reigns supreme here, King Estate is also known for its aromatic whites such as Brute Cuvée and Gewürztraminer.
7. Sarver Winery
25600 Mayola Lane
Eugene, OR 97402
(541) 935-2979
Website
Sarver Winery is another jewel that sits in the southern Willamette Valley basin. Some of the first Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes were planted here by the original owners in the early 1980s, and those vines remain a vital factor in the production of this winery’s expressive, small-batch wines.
At an elevation of 700 feet, visitors to Sarver Winery enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards, agricultural fields, and mountain ranges. Some of Eugene’s best food carts are featured guests here on Friday evening along with live entertainment on the patio by talented local musicians.
8. Durant Vineyards at Red Ridge Farms
5510 NE Breyman Orchards Rd.
Dayton, OR 97114
(503) 864-2000
Website
Durant Vineyards takes outdoor wine tasting to a unique new level with their expansive lawn and private vineyard cabanas. Cabanas are available by reservation for up to four guests and include a light, elegant picnic for four and a complementary bottle of Durant Vineyard Estate wine.
Comfortable seating is available for outdoor tasting on the lawn or deck where the view includes a panoramic vista of the Willamette Valley, whimsically designed gardens and acres of lavender fields.
9. Sokol Blosser Winery
5000 Sokol Blosser Ln
Dayton, OR 97114
(503) 864-2282
Website
Visitors to Sokol Blosser Winery can enjoy views of the surrounding countryside, including the picturesque Dundee Hills, during wine tasting sessions on the porch. The front porch is a dog-friendly space as long as pups are well-behaved and kept on a leash at all times. For outdoor seating, guests are advised to bundle up on chilly days since no heaters are provided.
A small-bites menu is available for pairing with the wines of your choice. Don’t miss their 2018 Old Vineyard Block Pinot Noir – it’s the one wearing a retro label produced to mark the winery’s 50th anniversary of making finely crafted wines.
10. Winter’s Hill Estate
6451 Hilltop Lane
Dayton, OR 97114
(503) 864-4592
Website
The covered patio at Winter’s Hill is equipped with outdoor heaters to provide a comfortable, relaxing wine tasting space with views of the Coast Mountain Range and surrounding forests, farms, and fields. The winery is landscaped with native plants and provides habitat for area wildlife and is a designated stop on the Willamette Valley Birding Trail. Well-behaved children and non-aggressive dogs on leashes are welcome here. All guests are greeted by one or both of the winery’s owners.
11. Illahe Vineyards
3275 Ballard Rd.
Dallas, OR 97338
(503) 831-1248
Website
Illahe Vineyards offers tastings on the patio with sweeping vistas of the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast Range, but the most enchanting visuals are found right on their grounds. Old-school viticulture practices are still in existence here, and it’s not unusual for guests to get a glimpse of the winery’s pair of Percheron draft horses.
The winery reduces its reliance on fossil fuels with the use of solar power, bike power, gravity flow and rainwater harvesting. Be sure to try wines produced as a part of Illahe’s 1899 Project, which are made the old-school way without electricity or mechanization. Wild yeast is used in the fermenting process, and the wine itself is delivered to the distributor in Portland via stagecoach and canoe.
12. Tyee Wine Cellars
26335 Greenberry Rd.
Corvallis, OR 97333
(541) 241-8933
Website
Founded more than 130 years ago, this family farm has a long history of agricultural production and is one of the oldest Willamette Valley wineries and brings five generations of expertise to the table. It has evolved to now be solar powered. Outdoor seating includes covered picnic tables where guests can enjoy boutique wines crafted with care in the fresh air.
Views at Tyee Wine Cellars include woodlands, wetlands, streams, farmland, vineyards, and open spaces framed by the nearby Coast Mountain Range. Tyee Wine Cellars is certified salmon-safe and dry farming methods are used as a part of the family’s commitment to responsible stewardship.
13. Willamette Valley Vineyards
8800 Enchanted Way SE
Turner, OR 97392
(503) 588-9463
Website
Situated just south of Oregon’s capital city of Salem, Willamette Valley Vineyards offers several outdoor tasting choices and incredible views of Salem’s cityscape and the surrounding natural beauty. The Pinot Decks are available for al fresco tasting, and a number of private tasting pods can be reserved for groups of up to six people.
Pods are equipped with heaters, and canine companions on leashes are welcome to join the party. A daily pairing menu featuring fresh local foods created by the winery’s award-winning chef is also available.
Keep in mind that wine tasting options at Willamette Valley wineries are rarely set in stone, particularly among the boutique wineries that make up the majority of the Willamette Valley’s viticulture scene. It’s a good idea to always check for the latest visitors’ information and to call ahead when in doubt about a specific winery’s hours, tasting options, and visitor policies.
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