The WEEKEND at a glance
Thursday
After arriving to Oregon, check in to your room at McMinnville's most awarded hotel, The Atticus. Summarized perfectly by Condé Naste as "the sweet spot between everyday comforts and unique elegance." From this central location, you'll be able to walk to tasting rooms, restaurants & art galleries on McMinnville's historic 3rd Street. Each room at the Atticus Hotel is a direct reflection of the vibrant community surrounding it, featuring local artists, craftsmen and designers.
Once you've settled in, enjoy a leisurely stroll over to Thistle for a fresh, sophisticated and playful welcome dinner. We've booked a table for your group so you can take your time exploring the locally curated plates alongside Travis Todd, owner and winemaker of de la boue. Travis' wines are consistently sold out but we've convinced him to set aside a handful of bottles for your group, in case you find some favorites during the meal together. We trust this will be the perfect way to begin your journey through Oregon's renowned Willamette Valley region.
Friday
Today you'll start exploring the beautiful Yamhill - Carlton AVA, our focus for this trip. Begi with a field tasting at Elk Cove Vineyards, a winery with over 50 years of history in the region. This will give you the unique opportunity to taste their terroir driven wines, while walking through the vineyards that produced them. After the vineyard walk, partake in a one-of-a-kind comparative tasting, sampling wines from a current vintage, alongside an old vintage. Ever tried a 1992 Pinot Noir next to the current 2023 release? Today you will! This is a time to understand how the wines of Oregon evolve and age with years in the bottle. An experience available exclusively to Savor Willamette Valley groups.
Next up is an intimate experience with the winemaking team of Soter Vineyards. You'll learn how their respectful farming, craftsmanship and unique terroir combine to produce layered, nuanced wines. After the educational portion, it's time for a guided culinary experience designed to immerse you in the bounty of Mineral Springs Ranch. The pairings change weekly and follows the ebb and flow of their farm’s seasons so you can expect a menu with a diverse array of textures, flavors, and preparations.
Saturday
Day two begins with a visit to the picturesque Résonance property. A project of Maison Louis Jadot, Résonance crafts acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. During your time at the estate, we'll put your tasting skills to the test with a comparative tasting of French and Oregon wines followed by an elevated tasting, showcasing the three clones of Pinot Noir that make up their final Resonance Vineyard bottling. Learn how Pommard, Wadenswil and Dijon can perfectly balance one another, each contributing something special to the final blend. Leading you through the private tasting will be one of the team's skilled sommeliers so be sure to arrive with plenty of questions and an eagerness to learn.
After lunch in the picturesque town of Carlton, allow us to whisk you away to ____ winery, where the views and the wines will leave you in awe.
Once back in McMinnville, savor some down time before reconvening in the Atticus' private boardroom, where your farewell dinner will be expertly prepared and presented by chef Travis Bird of Cypress. A perfect time to cheers the memories made during your time in Oregon. Tomorrow you leave us (unless you opt to stay longer) but we hope your travels continue to another beautiful part of Oregon.
Sunday: Optional Add-On
Long before the Willamette Valley became widely known, Beaux Frères winery had already gained significant recognition. One of the region's most highly praised wineries, Beaux Frères is nestled in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, where the Etzel family first planted vines in 1988. Exclusively available to our guests, this tailored experience will give you a unique, up-close perspective of the vineyards that have earned international acclaim for their wines. Take a brief walk through the vineyards before indulging in a curated tasting, surrounded by some of the Etzel family's oldest vines.
Next up is a special visit to Ambar Estate, a winery founded upon the belief that great wine is born from a thoughtful collaboration between science and nature. After a seasonally driven tasting, you'll enjoy some additional bottles, paired with small plates carefully curated to showcase the beauty of the wines and the vibrancy of Pacific Northwest cuisine. Privately hosted in one of their luxury hospitality suites, it's the perfect way to round out the final day of your Savor Willamette valley trip.
Our Partners
