Blog, Holidays, Oregon Wine
Plan Your Visit to the 2013 Oregon Wine Memorial Weekend Event!
Willamette Valley Wineries invites you to the 23rd annual Memorial Weekend event, May 25-27, 2013.
For the past 23 years, Willamette Valley wineries and tasting rooms throughout the region kick off the summer by opening their doors inviting the public to spend Memorial Day weekend in Oregon Wine country. Visitors can expect to partake in extraordinary tastings of the region’s acclaimed Pinot noir, Pinot gris and other exciting wines, vineyard tours, food, special events and entertainment.
Here’s your chance to explore wine country in a fun and casual setting or spend the weekend getting to know the smaller or newer producers that are only open on Memorial Day & Thanksgiving weekends.
Now is the time to plan your visit by completing the following actions:
- Request a copy of the printed Guide to Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country, which includes all winery activities and a touring map. Simply email info@willamettewines.com to request your guide (distributed in early May). Please include your mailing address.
- Plot your course with these wine tasting routes.
- Get ready to sip with these wine tasting tips.
- Sign up for a special Memorial Weekend Wine Essentials Class to start your wine tasting experience on the right foot.
- Use the Mobile Wine Tour to navigate to your destinations, offering turn-by-turn directions to our wineries right on your smart phone.
Here are some tips from The North Willamette Vintners to get the most of your holiday weekend:
- Drive less, taste more. Avoid the long drive and congested roadways by visiting the wineries located in Portland’s backyard, shaping the northern gateway to Oregon’s wine country.
- Discover new wineries. Experience a new label or visit a boutique winery not typically open for tastings.
- Taste exceptional wines. Be among the first to enjoy new releases, barrel samples and paired flights.
- Learn from the pros. Meet the winemakers and learn about the style, characteristics and unique attributes of their wine.
- Experience wine country. Participate in a traditional tribal salmon bake, watch a live landscape painting, stroll along a garden walk, tour the vineyards, relax to live music and soak in the spectacular vineyard views while enjoying a picnic lunch.
For more information and to plan your weekend visit Willamette Valley Wineries Association.
Need a place to stay? The Grand Hotel Bridgeport is proud to offer wine lovers luxurious accommodations, free parking, free WiFi(helpful as you are planning your afternoon of wine tasting!), and a free chef prepared breakfast the following morning! What more do you need? Book a Grand Hotel at Bridgeport Wine Package and you will see what we mean!
Spend Thanksgiving in Oregon Wine Country! Willamette Valley kicks off the winter wine tasting and the holiday season during the 29th Annual Wine Country Thanksgiving Event November 25-27, 2011. More than 150 wineries and tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley will open their doors for special tastings and holiday festivities. For more information about participating wineries, visit willamettewines.com
To receive a mailer that includes a list of activities at each winery and a touring map, email info-at-willamettewines.com. Please include your mailing address when sending an email request.
Celebrate on your getaway with wine tasting and festivities by reserving your “Wining Encouraged” Wine Tour Package here at The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport. Touring some of the valley’s finest vineyards and wineries and end your adventure with us for a night of relaxing bliss. Our partner vineyards include:
Cooper Mountain Vineyards
Elk Cove Vineyards
Helvetia Vineyards
Kramer Vineyards
Montinore Estate
Oak Knoll Winery
Plum Hill Vineyards
Tualatin Estate Vineyards
This package starts at $169.00, plus tax and includes: (8) wine tasting vouchers to the 4 wineries of your choice (1) bottle of local Oregon wine
To make the most of your Oregon wine tasting experience, follow these great Wine Tasting Tips compliments of Willamette Valley Wineries Association!
- Plan your route ahead. Visit wineries that are in close proximity to limit driving. Call ahead to confirm hours.
- Get a designated driver! For a carefree day of tasting…it’s the prudent thing to do. Take advantage of local tour services that are fun and affordable.
- Avoid wearing any perfume, cologne or heavily scented lotions. It will interfere with your tasting experience as well as the experience of those around you.
- Spit…like the professionals. Or use dump buckets that are often placed on tasting room bars. It’s the cool thing to do. You will be able to taste more fantastic wines.
- Ask a lot of questions. This is your opportunity to educate your palate and learn more about the wine making process. Tasting Room staff are friendly and love to share their knowledge with guests.
- Explore a new wine tasting region. Likely you’ll experience less congestion and you’ll have a great time tasting new wines! Check out our wine tasting routes for some ideas.
- Likewise, try a new type of wine or “varietal” during your wine tasting. You must taste the Valley’s signature Pinot Noirs, but don’t be afraid to try something new. You may like it!
- Visit small wineries and larger wineries to enjoy a variety of wine tasting experiences. Chat with winemakers in an intimate setting, taste from the barrel or enjoy some live music and specialty food pairings.
- Don’t miss out on special discounts and offers at wineries during tasting events. And, if you discover a winery you really love, consider joining their wine club. You’ll likely receive discounts, exclusive deals, access to special releases and free tastings.
The North Willamette Vintners invite you to celebrate 2011 harvest by joining them on the North Willamette Harvest Trail and Grand Tasting October 8, 2011!
This extraordinary event features a guided bus tour to three NWV wineries for complimentary tastings, nibbles and harvest activities at each. Walk the the vineyard, visit the crush pad and tour the winery to discover each step of the wine making process with the professionals. Learn more about the region from your experienced tour guide on the bus and enjoy lunch along the way, all included in your ticket.
The tour concludes at the Grand Tasting event. Enjoy a harvest evening at Garden Vineyards including tastings, appetizers and specials on wine from all 25+ NWV wineries! This event is rain or shine, please dress accordingly. Buses depart from Garden Vineyards at 10am and return for the Grand Tasting, 4pm-6pm.
Tickets are limited and can be purchased at $79 for Harvest Trail and Grand Tasting. A limited number of Grand Tasting only tickets are available for $30. North Willamette Harvest Trail tickets are now on sale at www.NWVintners.org!
The North Willamette Vintners (NWV) represents the wineries located in, or immediately adjacent to, Washington County, Oregon. Together this diverse group of wineries shapes the northern gateway to Oregon’s wine country.
Dozens of local wineries offer tastings, pairings and activities during Memorial Day Weekend.
Want to plan a memorable getaway for Memorial Day? Come to Wine Country! The Grand Hotel Bridgeport is proud to offer wine lovers luxurious accommodations, free parking, free WiFi(helpful as you are planning your afternoon of wine tasting!), and a free chef prepared breakfast the following morning! What more do you need? Book a Grand Hotel at Bridgeport Wine Package and you will see what we mean!
The North Willamette Vintners roll open their cellar doors this Memorial Day weekend and invite wine lovers to experience the bounty of the North Willamette Valley. During the three-day holiday weekend, dozens of wineries located just minutes from Portland will welcome spring and kick off wine tasting season with extraordinary tastings, special events and entertainment.
“With our close proximity to Portland, we offer guests a truly authentic wine country experience easily accessible for a day excursion or a full weekend trip” explains Laurine Apolloni, President of North Willamette Vintners. “Guests can drive less and taste more in the North Willamette Valley this Memorial Day weekend”
Get the most of your holiday weekend:
- Drive less, taste more. Avoid the long drive and congested roadways by visiting the wineries located in Portland’s backyard, shaping the northern gateway to Oregon’s wine country.
- Discover new wineries. Experience a new label or visit a boutique winery not typically open for tastings.
- Taste exceptional wines. Be among the first to enjoy new releases, barrel samples and paired flights.
- Learn from the pros. Meet the winemakers and learn about the style, characteristics and unique attributes of their wine.
- Experience wine country. Participate in a traditional tribal salmon bake, watch a live landscape painting, stroll along a garden walk, tour the vineyards, relax to live music and soak in the spectacular vineyard views while enjoying a picnic lunch.
For more information and to plan your weekend visit www.NWVintners.com.
Spring is in the air and we are celebrating in a big way by creating some of the best travel packages and getaways in the Pacific Northwest! Here are just a few…….
Wine Trail Weekend Package April 9-10
This special package is available for this weekend only April 9-10. It includes a luxurious night in the Grand Hotel; (2) full days of unlimited wine tasting at North Willamette Vintner’s Wine Trail Weekend and complimentary North Willamette wine and wine glasses.
Grand Hotel Bridgeport Wine Tour Package Available Year Round:
Plan the perfect getaway this Spring with wine tasting and festivities by reserving your “Wining Encouraged” Wine Tour Package here at The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport. Spend Friday and Saturday touring some of the valley’s finest vineyards and wineries and end your adventure with us for a night of relaxing bliss. Please call the Front Desk at 866-968-5757 for more information about this package! Our partner vineyards include: Cooper Mountain Vineyards; Elk Cove Vineyards; Helvetia Vineyards; Kramer Vineyards; Montinore Estate; Oak Knoll Winery; Plum Hill Vineyards; Tualatin Estate Vineyards
Tulip Festival Package Available Through May 1st, 2011
If you have never experienced The Tulip Festival at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn, Oregon- you don’t know what you are missing! The Tulip Festival is a yearly event where you can witness the blooming of over 40 acres of tulips and daffodils!
For only $109.00 plus tax, you can stay an evening at the Grand AND receive a free entry pass to the Farm (a $10.00 value) and receive a coupon for 10% at the gift shop! There is nothing like the colors of the tulip fields in the spring!
For more information about the above packages please call 866-968-5757.