Wine Country Thanksgiving
Give thanks for this great Willamette Valley wine-tasting opportunity.
John Patrick Pullen
Adding to the list of all that Portland-area visitors and residents have to be grateful for is the annual Wine Country Thanksgiving, held each year around Thanksgiving.
During Wine Country Thanksgiving, Oregon’s premier tasting and cellar-stocking event, more than 150 wineries open their doors to the public, offering samples of favorite labels and special vintages. With pours from local favorites like Boedecker Cellars, whose exquisite Pinot noirs consistently receive 90+ ratings by Wine Spectator, or Trisaetum Winery, where you can browse their art gallery while sipping an array of award-winning Rieslings, the only problem will be deciding which of the hundreds of wines to choose from.
The holiday weekend festivities include live music, food and wine pairings, and the opportunity to visit with winemakers at some of Oregon’s top wineries — including many not usually open to the public.
Uncork Wine Country
North Willamette Valley Winery Tour
This Forest-Grove-based tour features picturesque wineries, an authentic sake brewery and a lively lodge.
Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route
A 50-mile drive through Washington County, this road caroms from historic site to scenic vista.
Tualatin Valley Vineyards and Farms
In Tualatin Valley, a verdant sliver of Oregon's Willamette Valley, farm-to-table isn’t a trend, it’s a way of life — and has been for years.
2023 Highlights
For light fare with your tasting, stop into these Willamette Valley wineries: Youngberg Hill Winery in McMinnville for a s’mores charcuterie with your flight. Ken Wright Cellars in Carlton for a special tasting of 2023 pinot noir barrels and past vintages from the bottle, accompanied by hors d’oeuvres. The Stoller Family Estate hosts Maker’s Market, where you can browse through the market with a glass of wine in hand and try Chef Becca’s famous chili served in a ceramic mug.
Ponzi Vineyards in Sherwood will host a locavore tasting experience paired with chardonnay and pinot noirs. With a vista from Chehalem Mountain, J. Christopher Wines offers new wine releases paired with seasonal small bites. Forest Grove’s Apolloni Vineyards is known for its Italian-style wines, like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, but they also craft the Oregon-staple pinot noir and other French-style wines.
Celebrating the holidays closer to the city? No problem! Urban wineries such as Hip Chicks Do Wine and Teutonic Wine Company in Southeast Portland also serve up Thanksgiving weekend specials and events.
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