It started during the pandemic - learning about and drinking wine on Wednesdays. You can read about our Wine Wednesday adventures in this blog.

The wine that all of us really enjoyed was pinot noir - particularly from Willamette Valley in Oregon. For the longest time, I incorrectly pronounced it “WILL-a-MET.”

It wasn’t until a graduate professor gently corrected me that I realized my mistake. She had lived in Oregon for a time and smiled the knowing smile of someone who had heard this before. “It’s WILL-AM-IT,” she said. Then she added the unforgettable memory trick: “WILL-AM-IT, DAMN-IT.”

It was this same graduate professor who sparked my interest in visiting Oregon. This state on the west coast between Washington and California has it all - from a drop-dead gorgeous coastline to mountains, valleys, and deserts.

Although Willamette Valley is just about an hour’s drive south of Portland—and was one of the main reasons for planning our trip—we decided not to go there right away. Instead, we set out to explore more of the state first. We tried to pack as much as we could into our nine-day trip but soon realized we would need not nine, but ninety days to see it all.

After logging over 1200 miles and winding our way through five of Oregon’s seven distinct regions, we finally pointed the car toward wine country.

By then, we were more than ready to slow down, get out of the car, sit among the serene, vine-striped hills, glass in hand, with nothing on the agenda except the next tasting.

So many vineyards, so little time

With more than 700 wineries scattered throughout Willamette Valley, there is no shortage of options. In fact, the real challenge is narrowing them down.

To manage our choices, this official Willamette Valley Wine site is a great resource for planning which wineries to visit. Because we wanted to keep the driving distance between tastings and our hotel to a minimum, we concentrated our vineyard visits to one area.

This website made it easy. Its search tool allows you to filter not only by region but by wine variety, visiting policies, views, and atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a Pinot Noir, sweeping vineyard vistas, reservation-only experiences, or something more casual and spontaneous, the filters help you create an itinerary that fits your pace—and prevents you from spending half your trip behind the wheel instead of enjoying what’s in your glass.

One piece of advice we received from a dear friend in the wine business was simple—but smart: don’t use your wine budget on bottles you can easily find at your local package store.

We were advised to save our purchases for the wines we can’t get back home—small-batch releases, winery-only selections, or limited vintages that never make it to retail shelves. That way, when the bottle is opened months later, it’s not just good wine—it’s a memory you couldn’t have picked up anywhere else.

Tastings provide a great learning experience. We were given information about the winemaker’s background, how the wine is produced, the particular grapes used, and how the land imparts the flavor. Plus, for a relatively low price point, you can sample a variety of wines instead of spending money for a whole bottle that you may not find enjoyable.

Etiquette

It stands without reason that you don’t want to overindulge to the point of near incapacitation or even slurring your words, but what are the unspoken rules to follow when at a tasting? Here are my tips.

Skip the cologne or perfume. Wine tasting is as much about aroma as it is about flavor. Strong fragrances can interfere with the experience - yours and the other guests. Consider leaving your Chanel No. 5 behind.
Business casual, not casual. Show respect for the establishment and yourself by refraining from gym wear or anything too fancy. Aim for polished, yet comfortable. And consider flats if a tour is involved.
It’s a tasting, not a race. Start by gently swirling the wine in your glass to release its aromas. Take a moment to notice the color and clarity. Then inhale deeply before taking a sip. Let the wine linger on your palate for a few seconds. Wine tasting is about experiencing the wine—not just drinking it.
Stems are there for a reason. When you hold the bowl of the glass, the warmth from your hand can raise the temperature of the wine and subtly alter its flavor. Instead, hold your glass by the stem. It keeps the wine at the proper temperature—and, as a bonus, looks a bit more polished while you sip.
Leave plenty of time. You’re a guest and much like visiting a friend for dinner, you wouldn’t rush the meal. Plan for at least a two-hour window at each winery. That gives you time to enjoy the pours, ask questions, take in the views, and relax into the experience rather than watching the clock or hurrying off to the next stop.
Kindness goes a long way. The purpose of tastings from the vineyard’s perspective is to introduce you to a wine club or to encourage you to purchase a bottle or two. While you may not love the wine enough to purchase it or even join a club, offering a few gracious words at the end matters. Think of it like being invited to a friend’s house for dinner. Even if the meal wasn’t your favorite, you would still thank the host and find something to compliment.

Winery Reviews

We were only in wine country for a short time, but we managed to visit four wineries; each a bit different from one another.

Roco Winery was one that we happened to see and just walked in without an appointment. They had mostly pinot noir, but also chardonnay and sparkling wines. Each was good, but nothing remarkable. Plus, it was our first tasting, so we opted not to purchase anything.

Trisaetum Winery offered a beautiful view and a relaxing vibe. Our host was very knowledgeable. We learned that the owners named the winery after their two children,Tristen and Tatum, combining their names to Trisaetum (pronounced TRISS-A-TUM). One of the owners, James Frey, is also an artist and his works were found in the entryway and foyer of the building. Though I’m typically not a white wine kind of girl, I found their chardonnay and riesling to be excellent. We purchased a couple bottles of each.

Dobbes Family Winery was within walking distance of our hotel. Their outdoor space was very relaxing with soft seating arranged so that groups could be inclusive, yet open. Their pinot noirs were very good, but hearing our friend’s advice in our ears, we knew we would be able to purchase this wine at home, so we left empty handed.

Dusky Goose Winery was where everything came together for us. We hit it off with the host, who was fun to talk to. The wine was superb, originally guided by famed master winemaker, Lynn Penner-Ash, and created by Andrew Imboden. They are a small production winery and will not release a bottle younger than three years old. Their tasting room sits above three different vineyards, though each has the same volcanic Jory soil, each producing their wines with different flavors and character. We enjoyed both the experience and the wine so much—and knowing we wouldn’t be able to find these bottles back home—it simply made sense to join their wine club.

A new member of the Dusky Goose. And they gave us hats!

Shipping Your Wine Home

Shipping laws vary between states, so you’ll want to be sure that the vineyard can ship to yours. Typically, shipping is done through UPS or FedEx where a signature of someone 21+ years of age is required. That means you’ll have to be at home the day your package arrives. Otherwise, you can direct the shipping to a FedEx or UPS facility where you can pick up your package. Many Staples stores accept shipments on your behalf if you are not planning to be home the day the package is scheduled to arrive. Just bring along your ID.

If you join a wine club, you’ll want to learn about your state’s shipping laws, as some limit the number of cases that can be shipped in a year’s time.

Willamette Valley is a wonderful place to visit, especially if you enjoy wine. But there are so many other reasons to visit Oregon. It is one trip that we’ll always treasure. And now each time we open a bottle of Dusky Goose, the memories come flooding back.