One of the best ways to connect with friends and family during the fall season is to visit wineries! Each wine tour is different from the last, and different regions have unique offerings. Whether you’re a full-time resident in Oregon, or just visiting, it is definitely worth seeing some of our local wineries. They are often scenic and give you the opportunity to taste rare blends that may not be available in other locations. All things considered, wineries are a great option for spending a relaxing day off with friends or family. Below we’ve highlighted some local wineries near Salem.
First, Willamette Valley Vineyards welcomes visitors to its several locations. At its closest location in Turner, OR, the Estate offers many different activities for visitors to choose from every day. First, there is a Tableside Service & Wine Tasting option, where during a 90 minute session, a Tasting Room Associate will share the unique history of Willamette Valley Vineyards and parties up to 6 can order wine tasting flights, bottles, or food pairings. They also offer a Private Winery Tour & Tasting as well as a Harvest Tour & Tasting, which offer respective behind-the-scenes looks at their winery or vineyard. Both feature interesting information about the processes the vineyard goes through to harvest and create wine, and offer cheese and wine selections as part of the tour. Finally, they offer special food pairing options, where customers can experience wines selected to match food flavor profiles provided by the vineyard. Many options require reservations, but even if they are not required, Willamette Valley Vineyards recommends placing a reservation. For more information visit https://www.wvv.com/Estate.
Second, Eola Hills Wine Cellar has a location in Salem, OR called Legacy Estate Vineyard which operates from 1pm-5pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They offer wine tastings on their patio with excellent views, and at least 5 different wines to taste for a maximum of 6 people. Eola Hills also features a unique, wine and hiking experience where guests are able to take a self-guided hike through the vineyard. Reservations are not required, but are recommended for both options. Visit https://eolahillswinery.com/legacy-estate-vineyard/ for more information about booking a wine tasting or hiking tour at Eola Hills.
Cória Estates is another excellent winery in Salem, OR. They are open 12pm-6pm every day, with different activities available depending on when you plan to go. Their Self-Guided Patio Experience gives parties of up to 8 people the opportunity to enjoy a self-guided flight with a scenic view. Also available is wine by the glass or bottle, and charcuterie. For this experience, reservations are only available 12:30pm-3:30pm, so plan your reservation time accordingly! Their Terrace Experience offers Mexican ambiance as you are surrounded by unique stone architecture and palm trees, as well as a $50 wine credit to spend how you’d like, giving people an opportunity to choose a guided wine tour, or guests can grab a bottle of wine and a cheese plate and enjoy the wine on their own. These reservations must be made in advance and are for 1-8 people. Finally, they feature an Elevated Wine Experience, which offers parties of 2-8 a wine flight selected by the Winemaker, a charcuterie board, and a $20 wine credit to spend how you’d like. The experience takes place in a private outdoor tasting lounge and offers the opportunity to engage with a tasting associate about the estate’s history and wine making practices.
These are just 3 of the local wineries we’ve chosen to highlight in this blog. All 3 offer unique experiences, and an opportunity to learn more about wine making in the Willamette Valley and enjoy time with friends and family. Happy wine tasting and touring!