WILLAMETTE VALLEY, February 2025 Ala Carte Tours
We’re excited to announce our Flying Grape tours of Willamette Valley, Oregon, for February of 2025.
The dates to choose from are:
Sunday, February 23
Monday, February 24
Tuesday, February 25
Wednesday, February 26
Thursday, February 27
Limited to ten participants per day.
This is the inaugural trip of our new format for domestic wine travel!
Here’s how it’s going to work:
Step one: you pick what days you want to join our tour group based on the daily themes, wineries, and AVAs we are mapping out.
Step two: you pick where to stay — anywhere you want in or near McMinnville, Oregon, in the northern Willamette Valley. (It’s highly recommended to stay near downtown core off 3rd Street, and we have suggestions for you from affordable and funky, to luxurious and stunning.)
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Regarding lodging: Willamette Valley is VERY sleepy at night outside of NE 3rd Street in McMinnville. Odds are good that you want to be there every evening due to the options of restaurants, wine bars, cafes, and more. So we highly suggest these hotels to make walking home from dinner easy.
http://douglasonthird.com/
http://www.atticushotel.com/
https://www.compassmcminnville.com/
https://www.mcmenamins.com/hotel-oregon
http://www.thirdstreetflats.com/
There’s a Best Western, Comfort Inn and Suites, and Red Lion on the south end of town, but you will need transport there after dinner on 3rd Street. Uber is spotty in the region, but there are private taxi services available.
There is also a good range of Airbnb options.
https://www.airbnb.com/s/McMinnville–Oregon–United-States/homes
Step three: book your flight and transport to McMinnville any way you wish.
You have full flexibility on how and when you get to Portland (miles, points, first class, economy, drive, hitch hike, it’s up to you), then onward to McMinnville (car rental in Oregon is cheap, and you’ll appreciate having a car for optional touring, but transport services are also available). You have complete flexibility on where you stay, and evenings to yourself. The goal is YOU design the trip you want, but join us for exciting days of touring.
For each tour date, we pick you up in the morning, you’ll enjoy a wonderful, educational, and wine-filled day with us (including lunch), and we return you to McMinnville in the early evening for happy hour.
Want to join all five days for tours and tasting? Go for it!
Want to come just for Sunday and Monday? Or Tuesday and Thursday, and enjoy Wednesday on your own? Do it!
Want to invite friends that are around the country? Call them up!
Included in our daily Ala carte pricing:
- Transportation for the whole day of exploring.
- A deep dive into specific AVA’s and wine education with Jason and Angela, including maps, live discussion, stopping at important vistas and vineyards, and more.
- Visits to at least three* wineries or vineyards (all tasting room fees included in the price!) … we’ll be busy!
- A fantastic lunch, including wine.
- Vineyard visits, barrel tastings, terroir seminars (let’s get dirty!)
- Visits to vineyards as an insider, not as a tourist.
- Creativity exercises with Angela.
- Meeting legendary winemakers and winery owners.
* Exception: Sunday 2/23, two wineries + Evergreen Air and Space Museum
Each day will have a different itinerary and theme, and over the course of the five days we’ll cover Willamette Valley in complete detail.
NOTE: ALL PLANS SUBJECT TO MINOR CHANGES AND ADJUSTMENTS, but the idea is that what you read is what you experience. We’re just covering our butts if something goes sideways, or if an unmissable opportunity presents itself. You know we’ll do right for you!
Sunday, February 23, 2025: Air, Space, Chocolate, and AVA’s
9:30am: Union Block Coffee
We’ll start Sunday morning by gathering at Union Block Coffee in the heart of McMinnville for caffeine, scones, and pastries. If you’re staying near 3rd Street NW of McMinnville it’s an easy walk. If you need a ride there, we’ll pick you up beforehand.
10:00am: Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
One of the premier destinations in Oregon, the Evergreen Air and Space Museum is truly incredible and takes you through the history of flight through the ages, including the one-and-only Spruce Goose. This place is INCREDIBLE and is a must-visit when in the area. Depart 12pm.
12pm – 1:00pm: Terroir tour of Eola-Amity and the Van Duzer Corridor
We’ll take an hour to guide you through the heart of central Willamette Valley, showing the core geographical aspects of the region and how it impacts the final wine. With map in hand, we’ll explore the area to give you “boots on the ground” education.
1:00pm: Pizza lunch, wine tasting, and tour at Left Coast Estate
Then we’re off to one of our favorite destinations in Willamette Valley, Left Coast Estate in the heart of the Van Duzer Corridor AVA. This is working sustainable farm and winery located on 100 beautiful acres (containing 500 year old oak trees). Here we’ll enjoy a hearty pizza lunch from their wood-fired oven, a range of wines from the estate, and a private tour of the property (including seeing the chickens!). While on the property, we’ll learn about the role of the Van Duzer winds, how AVAs are established, and the role of sustainability in the Willamette Valley. This is a great destination to stock up on wines not available elsewhere.
2:45pm: Chocolate stop with the Brigittine Monks!
We’ll take a quick stop on the way to our next destination to stock up on the amazing chocolates made by the order of the Brigittine Monks, a self-supporting order founded in 1370, and established in Willamette Valley since 1986!
3:15pm: Maysara Winery and the Momtazi Family
This is a special visit. Deep in the hills of McMinnville AVA is where Mo Momtazi planted his vineyard and quickly became the ambassador of the organic and biodynamic farming in Oregon. Now his three daughters have taken the reins and are making some of the most distinctive wines in the valley. We’ll taste through a wide range of selections including gems with some age, and tour the incredible facilities, all while learning about their farming methods and family history.
5:00pm: End of tour day with happy hour at HiFi Wine Bar
We’ll finish off our day with a one hour tasting at our favorite wine bar in Willamette Valley. Jason and Angela will choose some bottles off the list for us to enjoy and learn from, while we review the day and the knowledge we have gained. (Beverages only, food not included.) Approximately 6pm you are on your own for dinner in town, or we will transport you back to your accommodations.
COST: $375 per person for the day. Includes coffee and pastries, transportation, personal wine education, museum entry, lunch, all wine tastings, gratuities, and a final round at HiFi wine bar.
Monday, February 24, 2025: Winemaking and Terroir
9:30am: Union Block Coffee
We’ll start Monday morning by gathering at Union Block Coffee in the heart of McMinnville for caffeine, scones, and pastries. If you’re staying in the heart of McMinnville it’s an easy walk. If you need a ride there, we’ll pick you up beforehand. Depart 9:50am.
10:00am: Eastern Eola Exploration
We’ll start our morning with a drive through one of our favorite sections of Willamette Valley: the eastern portion of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. We’ll start with a drive to the hamlet of Amity, where we will stop to open maps and get our bearings. Then we’ll meander slowly through the eastern hills, discussing soil types, wind influence, and the history of the region. We’ll drive back roads while looking at our maps, learning far more than your average tourist would.
11:00am: Bethel Heights Winery
Our first winery visit is with one of the founding families of the Willamette wine industry. Bethel Heights was started in 1977 by Terry Casteel and Marilyn Webb, and Ted Casteel and Pat Dudley. They were the first ones to see the wine potential in the area, and the families have been instrumental in the success of the Eola-Amity Hills. We’ll taste through a wide range of their wines and if weather permits, we’ll wander through some of the oldest vineyards in the region.
12:30pm: Winery lunch, tour, and tasting at Björnson Vineyard
Björnson winery was founded by U of MN grads Mark and Pattie Björnson, and is one of our favorites. We’ll start with a hearty gourmet picnic lunch in the barrel room at Björnson Winery, with wines from the estate. After lunch we’ll deep dive into the world of winemaking, going through the step-by-step process of grape to glass. Our course, this includes tasting a wide range of wines. Then we’ll head into the vineyard for an overview of pruning, trellising, and the aspects that make a vineyard special. After finishing in the tasting room, we’re off to our next adventure.
3:30pm: Vincent Winery (under the radar!)
After our visit to Björnson, we’ll return to the nearby city of Amity and meet with Vincent Winery, an amazing brand specializing in “non-interventionist” winemaking and tiny productions of a range of wines.
5:00pm: Return to McMinnville for a visit to the legendary “back bar” at Nick’s Italian Café, one of the top insider hangouts for the movers and shakers of the local wine scene. Since 1977 this is where the who’s who of Willamette Wine has been hanging out, and we’ll see if we can get some friends to join us. We’ll also order a couple of bottles on us, or a round of drinks for everyone to finish off our day.
Approximately 6pm you are on your own for dinner in town, or we will transport you back to your accommodations. Highly recommended that you make 6:00 dinner reservations for Nick’s Italian at the fancy side of the restaurant next door.
COST: $375 per person for the day. Includes breakfast, transportation, personal wine education, lunch, all wine tastings, gratuities, and a final round at Nick’s. Dinner is on your own.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025: Willamette History Part One
9:30am: Union Block Coffee
We’ll start Tuesday morning by gathering at Union Block Coffee in the heart of McMinnville for caffeine, scones, and pastries. If you’re staying in the heart of McMinnville it’s an easy walk. If you need a ride there, we’ll pick you up beforehand. Depart 9:50am.
10:00am: Educational drive through the Dundee Hills
Heading out of McMinnville, we’ll head into the birthplace of the Willamette Valley wine story, the Red Hills of Dundee. We’ll drive you through both the south and north sides of the hills, pointing out important wineries and vineyards, telling stories, examining the soil, and if the weather is good, taking some great photos.
11:00am: Knudsen Vineyards plus lunch
Then we’ll arrive at the north side of the Dundee Hills, home of the second oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in Willamette Valley. We’ll learn about Cal Knudsen and Dick Erath, their contributions to the industry, the planting of the original vines, and much more. The tasting will include some stunning Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, and we’ll enjoy more wine with a gourmet sandwich lunch in the Fireplace Room.
1:30pm: Domaine Drouhin Oregon
Next we’ll visit the legendary Domaine Drouhin Oregon winery and property on the south side of the Dundee Hills. We’ll hear the stories of Laurent Drouhin, on the advice of David Adelsheim, purchasing the hill and bringing the validation of one of the top families of Burgundy to the world of Oregon wine. This is always a spectacular tasting. We hope to have Veronique Drouhin join us (fingers crossed).
3:00pm: Argyle Winery
No trip to Willamette is complete without a visit to Argyle, the most-awarded winery in the region. They are sparkling wine specialists but also make a wide range of still wines. We’ll dive into their history and the great variety they have available. The new tasting room is stunning!
5:00pm NW Cru Wine Bar with Tim and Denise of Denison Cellars
We’ll finish off the day with a private tasting at NW Cru Wine Bar with none other than Minnesota native Tim Wilson, winemaker and co-owner of Denison Cellars. He only makes 1200 cases a year, but spreads that out over many different wines. This tasting will focus on his Pinot Noirs.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025: Under the Radar Willamette
9:30am: Union Block Coffee
We’ll start Wednesday morning by gathering at Union Block Coffee in the heart of McMinnville for caffeine, scones, and pastries. If you’re staying in the heart of McMinnville it’s an easy walk. If you need a ride there, we’ll pick you up beforehand. Depart 9:45am.
10:15am: Johan Vineyards
We start the day at a totally under-the-radar winery of tiny production and beautiful labels (seriously, they are the most beautiful labels in the wine world). Johan makes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir like all the others, but also things like Grüner Veltlilner, Trousseau, Skin-Contact whites, and even Zweigelt. This will be an eye-opening tasting for everyone (and they are GREAT wines to carry home!).
12:30pm: Domino IV, including lunch
We’ll head north, through McMinnville, and into the Yamhill-Carlton AVA to the amazing winery Domino IV. From the winery website: “When you arrive at Dominio IV you have options. We can set you up on the 1916 farmhouse porch, and you can rock in your chair while the breeze reminds you that the ocean is nearby. Or have a walk up the cherry-trunk stairs to the hayloft of the 100-year-old barn. We have places to hide away and places to walk with a glass in hand. Come see what farm life evokes both in your glass and in your heart.”
3:00pm: Carlton Winemaker’s Studio – Lavinea
Greg Ralston and Isabelle Munier are the power team behind this distinctive brand. Multiple Pinot Noirs, all made with the EXACT same winemaking fomulas (yeast, oak, aging, etc.), yet from multiple vineyards and AVAs in Willamette. In other words, this is the best way to truly taste the differences between all the regions. The wines are top grade, and off the radar of most wine lovers. I’ve know Greg for over 25 years, since his days in Napa Valley when he ran Chateau Montelena.
5:00pm NW Cru Wine Bar with Tim and Denise of Denison Cellars
We’ll finish off the day with a private tasting at NW Cru Wine Bar with none other than Minnesota native Tim Wilson, winemaker and co-owner of Denison Cellars. He only makes 1200 cases a year, but spreads that out over many different wines. This tasting will focus on their Chardonnay and new Rocks of Milton Freewater AVA Syrah.
A quick note regarding pricing
Wine tours range in style and pricing models more than you can imagine. Some tour operators work in cahoots with the big brand wineries, getting a kickback for the visit. Some tour operators specialize in small and cool wineries. Some know their stuff, some don’t. Some are working for someone else, and are saying what they are told to say. Some advertise “party van” vibes along with “two microphones to keep the party going.”
Some include lunch, some don’t. Some include wine tasting fees, some don’t.
What we’re doing with The Flying Grape is offering ultimate transparency, and giving you confidence that our 30 years of experience and contacts are going to make for an incredible day for you. Everything from meeting for coffee in the morning, until happy hour in the early evening, is included. All tasting fees, lunch, gratuities, and more. Everything. Period.
The only thing you have to spend money on during the day are the bottles of memories you want to bring home. 🙂
Thursday, February 27, 2025: Willamette History Part Two
9:30am: Union Block Coffee
We’ll start Thursday morning by gathering at Union Block Coffee in the heart of McMinnville for caffeine, scones, and pastries. If you’re staying in the heart of McMinnville it’s an easy walk. If you need a ride there, we’ll pick you up beforehand. Depart 9:45am.
10:00am: Ponzi Vineyards
We can’t talk about Willamette Valley history without learning about Ponzi Vineyards. As part of the founding families of the Willamette Wine industry, Dick and Nancy Ponzi planted their first vines in 1968. Along with pioneers David Lett, David Adelsheim, Cal Knudsen with Dick Erath, and a handful of others, they are truly the founders of the region.
10:00am: ROCO Winery + lunch
Rollin Soles is one of the legends of Willamette Valley. He was part of the original team at Argyle, establishing Willamette as one of the premier Sparkling Wine regions of the world. He’s worked tirelessly to promote the region, always offering this knowledge and expertise to any winery that asked. About ten years ago, he and his wife, Corby, (the name ROCO is combining Rollin + Corby) founded this winery. All of Rollin’s decades of knowledge and contacts has been poured into this project, where top-notch wines have been made since day one.
2:30pm: Adelsheim Vineyards
David Adelsheim literally wrote the laws of the land when it comes to Oregon wine. He and his wife Ginny moved to the hills of Willamette Valley in the late 1960s with the goal of being hippy artists. He worked as a sommelier in Portland and heard about David Lett planting Pinot Noir on the Dundee Hills. The rest is history. Adelsheim Vineyards is one of our favorites and we can’t wait to take you there.
4:00pm: A special surprise
I can’t tell you what it is yet because it’s not confirmed. But if this comes together, get ready for something incredible.
5:00pm: End of tour day with happy hour at HiFi Wine Bar
We’ll finish off our day with a one hour tasting at our favorite wine bar in Willamette Valley. Jason and Angela will choose some bottles off the list for us to enjoy and learn from, while we review the day and the knowledge we have gained. (Beverages only, food not included.) Approximately 6pm you are on your own for dinner in town, or we will transport you back to your accommodations.
IMPORTANT DETAILS – be sure to read!
Each spot on each day is $375 per person. We are limiting each day to a total of ten participants.
All invoicing for the tour will happen the first week of January, and payment is due within seven days of receiving the invoice.
A 3% surcharge for credit card payments will be added to the price. If you choose to pay by check, this fee is waived.
THE FLYING GRAPE LLC is not responsible for acts of God, delayed flights, interrupted service, or unforeseen circumstances that change the tours as outlined. Additionally, The Flying Grape is not responsible for individual illness or injury. Once payment is received, all payments are final.
You are responsible for your own Travel Insurance policy to cover instances outlined above.
The Flying Grape reserves the right refuse tour participation or remove individuals if necessary.