May is Oregon wine monthExplore some of Oregon's World Class Vineyards

May is Oregon Wine Month

The secret might be out about Oregon’s vineyards — Time Magazine just touted the Willamette Valley as one of the world’s top spots to go wine tasting, after all — but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to fight the crowds during May’s Oregon Wine Month celebrations. In addition to Oregon’s bounty of world-class vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms, we also have a bounty of wide-open spaces and friendly faces.

Amtrak Cascades has daily trains to Salem and Eugene to get you closer to the wineries.

Remember you can bring your wine back with you on the train. Avoid the driving, traffic, and parking. Explore hotel discounts as well in Salem.

To give our regional vineyards the props they deserve for Oregon Wine Month, we’re highlighting a lineup of Salem-area wineries where you can soak up the views, savor the local flights and bites, and get in on special May events. Check individual websites for details, but many vineyards welcome kids and leashed pets and some offer overnight stays, so let’s get sipping.

SIP AND STAY AT WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS

Fifteen minutes from downtown Salem, Willamette Valley Vineyards produces exceptional red, white, sparkling and Rosé wines using Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gruner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc and other Willamette Valley varietals. Many bottles are produced using grapes that flourish on the winery's vineyard in Turner, Oregon. The sweeping views of the valley are reason enough to visit, but the wine and food pairings guided by a knowledgeable winery ambassador will make your visit unforgettable. Book one of the Winery Suites loaded with amenities or reserve a slip for your RV at the vineyard’s Traveling Wine Enthusiast Park and make a weekend of it.

FEEL LIKE FAMILY AT CÓRIA ESTATES
It takes a village — or a family — to produce Pinot Noir, Merlot, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay with this much character. At Salem’s southern edge, Mexican-American family-owned Cória Estates opened a tasting room in 2017 atop its 140-acre property. The buzzy vibe of this estate winery is largely due to winemaker Aurora Cória, daughter of owners Luis and Janice Cória, and the family has been growing grapes for over two decades. Stop by for panoramic views (on a clear day you can see five mountains) and enjoy a flight along with tasty charcuterie.

GO “WIKING” AT EOLA HILLS’ LEGACY ESTATE
Eight miles west of downtown Salem, sip and mingle away amidst one of Oregon Wine Country's most breathtaking settings at Eola Hills Legacy Estate. The 325-acre tract of undulating vineyards has been producing top-notch wines for more than 30 years, so pull up an Adirondack chair and enjoy a vintage from the estate’s Barrel Select Reserve portfolio along with gourmet picnic provisions. Or go “wiking” — take a self-guided hike through the vineyard before you hit the modern tasting room.

SLOW IT DOWN AT ANDANTE VINEYARD
Co-owner Joe Allan mindfully designed the Andante winery to blend into the surrounding landscape — and the same slow, natural aesthetic resonates throughout this winery’s sublime setting. Located about 20 minutes west of Salem and nestled in the rolling hills of the Willamette Valley, the 15-acre Andante Vineyard produces exquisite small-batch Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligoté and Gamay Noir. Reserve a tasting and food pairing in the new tasting room and sample six estate wines and thoughtful bites prepared by the chef. You can also charge your EV here and continue your vineyard-hopping.

VISIT THE ORIGINAL VAN DUZER VINEYARDS
At nearby Van Duzer Vineyards, you’ll find gorgeous hilltop views surrounded by vines, a lovely outdoor patio and expressive wines. Proprietors Carl and Marilynn Thoma were among the first to choose the foothills of the now-lauded Van Duzer Corridor to create their family estate in 1998. The 84 acres of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Syrah are in the direct path of cool marine winds and, combined with the vineyard’s sustainable farming practices, they produce exquisite wines. Stop by for a flight in the tasting room or, better yet, treat yourself to a Wine Club Weekend and enjoy live music with your flight and food pairing.

ENJOY EPIC FLIGHTS AND VIEWS AT BRYN MAWR
Perched at 870 feet on the upper crest of the acclaimed Eola-Amity Hills, this 40-acre estate is battered by winds from the coast and the vines are anchored into steep volcanic soil, producing powerful notes you can taste — the whites and pinks are nervy and crisp and the reds are bold and edgy. The terrain also gives this vineyard one of the most dramatic views in the valley, making it a must-stop on your tasting tour. Discerning oenophiles can reserve the elevated tasting experience and tailor the wines to their preference. Even better, reserve the luxe Vineyard Guesthouse, pour yourself a glass and watch the sunset from your open-air deck.