Kara and I always get this question.  “Which wineries should we visit in Oregon Wine Country?”

Well the answer depends.  Oregon Wine Country has a wine experience for everyone.  Whether you’re a wine connoisseur looking for exclusive high-quality Pinot Noir, a group of friends looking to for a different experience, or a family looking for kid-friendly places, we have recommendations for you to enjoy Oregon Wine Country.

So here is our list of the best Oregon wineries to visit.  Obviously you can mix and match.  Maybe you want a unique tasting experience. A chance to meet the winemaker or an opportunity to sip great wine in the middle of wine country.   Selecting any one of these wineries almost guarantees a great tasting experience at some of the very best wineries in Oregon.

Start with Sparking Wines at Argyle Winery

We always recommend starting Argyle Winery for their sparkling wine flights.   It’s a fantastic entry point into Wine Country. Argyle wines offer a variety of sparkling wines, including a traditional method sparkling wine that is made in the same way as Champagne. The modern tasting room, both indoor and outdoor, is spacious. It is a first-class tasting experience all the way.  

Best Wineries for an ultimate tasting experience.  Domaine Serene, Archery Summit, and Antica Terra

Sometimes, we call this trio, the “Flash of Dundee Hills.”  Three spots with lush vineyards and swanky tasting rooms serving the best Oregon Pinot Noir and top Oregon Chardonnay’s. 

We can’t get enough of Domaine Serene Winery, whose Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are absolutely divine, and they’ve recently introduced sparkling wine too! Plus, Domaine Serene has a sister winery in France, so you can do side-by-side tastings with incredible food pairings. And the winery?!? It’s the most stunning vineyard and tasting room in Oregon’ Willamette Valley.  You’ll often see NBA stars there. Finally, your Instagram followers will be seriously jealous of those vineyard views. 

Archery Summit. This is one of OG’s.  We’ve been going there since 2004. Archery Summit tends to produce bolder Pinot Noir, so it appeals to those who might prefer heavier red wines a bit more.  And if you’re in the mood for a unique experience, be sure to check out their cave tasting.   We continue to drink Archery Summit Pinot Noir that is often 15+ years old.  Their wine ages well.

Antica Terra.  Not sure where to start here since Antica Terra is truly unique.  This winery is known for its cult following and its unique tasting experience. Their top-notch wines that have gained a cult following among NBA players like LeBron James. Sure, it may burn a hole in your pocket, but the experience is absolutely mind-blowing. You can taste their wines in two places – their production warehouse (sounds unappealing but it is one of the most unique tasting venues in the entire Willamette Valley or a renovated, restored church in downtown Dayton that exudes an incredible vibe. Both tastings include a full food pairing. Antica Terra’s tasting showcase wines from other renowned Wine Country regions around the world.  This makes Antica Terra a unique wine tasting experience – Oregon Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, great food pairings and wine from around the world. 

Best Wineries for the Francophile: Domaine Drouhin, Bergstrom, or Resonance

These wineries can be easily visited within a day if you plan properly. You’ll end up in Carlton, a quaint small town in the heart of the Willamette Valley wine country with several good restaurants including Earth and Sea and a fantastic pizzeria called Park & Main.

Domaine Drouhin is a must-visit for lovers of French-style Pinot Noir and wine. Owned by the Drouhin family, who have been making wine in Burgundy for centuries, you can enjoy a side-by-side tasting, of their best Oregon Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Burgundy Chablis. Food pairings are available as well. The view is stunning – maybe the best n wine country – and you’ll enjoy a fantastic French-style experience.  

Bergstrom Wines are inspired by the wines of Burgundy, and the tasting experience is educational, informative and in-depth.  You’ll learn about the different grape varieties and how they’re grown and made. The wine knowledge form the team is next level.  In the tasting experience, you’ll likely try many wines from the same year from different Vineyards side by side which really gives you an appreciation for the diversity of Oregon Pinot Noir’s coming from the Willamette Valley.  If you really love to learn about the nuances of wine-making and the terroir of the region, this is a can’t miss tasting experience. 

Resonance: This winery is owned by the Louis Jadot family, who are also renowned winemakers in Burgundy. The tasting experience is luxurious and elegant.  It might be our favorite winery and tasting room.  With both indoor and outdoor tastings, you always have a few of the vines.   And the wines are highly regarded and you will have the opportunity to sample wines from the Louis Jadot family.

For a Unique Tasting Experience in Wine Country

If you’re seeking a unique experience and an authentic Oregon Wine Country tasting experience, check out these three wines.   Each winery  possess a unique flair and style. The wine served is still world-class so you will not be sacrificing any quality.

Beaux Frères: The Beaux Frères Winery is situated in a refurbished barn, and the wine tasting affair is quaint and picturesque.  You’ll get to taste some the very best Oregon Pinot’s and you’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time.   Very low-key very informative in educational and just spectacular wines.   You’ll be able to sample some of Oregon’s most distinctive wines, and the ambiance will transport you to another era. 

Fairsing: This winery is located on a hilltop with stunning views of the valley. The tasting experience is intimate and personal, and you’ll get to taste some of the best Pinot Noirs in Oregon. You’ll often find the owners of Fairsing handling your wine tasting and sharing their journey from Nebraska to Oregon Wine Country.  Fairsing, in our opinion, has some of the very best Chardonnay in the Willamette Valley.   The Tasting Experience is provided both indoors and outdoors, and the view of wine country is awe-inspiring. Fairsing is situated far away from the main wineries, giving you a sense of escaping from the usual. A preferred spot for us is Fairsing Winery, which offers a unique experience. It is a small vineyard, making it a small winery that is perched on top of a hill, providing incredible views of the Willamette Valley. They provide an excellent Pinot Noir, and an extraordinary collection of Chardonnays.  

Ken Wright Cellars: This is one of the best wineries to visit.  Truth be told, Ken Wright can and should be up at the top with the other other world-class Pinot Noir. It is known for its single-vineyard Pinot Noir, and the tasting experience is a true education in the art of winemaking. You’ll get to taste side-by-side wines to learn how the terroir affects the flavor of the wine.  Ken Wright is the father of Oregon Pinot Noir and really Pioneer in single vineyard production of at least 12 single single vineyard productions.  The tasting room is located in an old renovated train station so you often sit outside under under a covered roof.