6 Wonderful Willamette Valley Wine Tours Not to Miss

Lori and I head back each year to our native Oregon to reconnect with family and friends. While we’re here, we always make time for visiting the wonderful wineries of the Willamete Valley.

With its mild Mediterranean climate and loads of world-class vineyards to explore, any time of year is a good time for wine tasting in Oregon.

In this guide, we share our top picks for Willamette Valley wine tours from Portland. We’ve narrowed down the field to six essential tours so you can start planning an unforgettable outing right now.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, we might receive a commission (at no added cost to you). Thanks for supporting independent, ad-free blogs!

Why a Wine Tour in the Willamette Valley?

If this is your first time considering Willamette Valley wine tours, then you’re in for a real treat! The region is frequently regarded as one of the premier producers of Pinot Noir in the world, though expect to find much more here than just Pinot!

The Willamette Valley is home to 19,000 acres of vineyards, nearly 700 wineries, and numerous award-winning wines. Yet the vast majority of Oregon’s most noted wineries can be reached within a short distance from Portland—home to Oregon’s biggest population center and largest international airport.

You could try to seek out the best wineries and vineyards yourself (we’ve attempted this countless times, all in the name of research, of course…).

But what experience has taught us is that if you’re looking for the best value for your time and money, want to sample the best wines available, and want someone else to do the driving (which we strongly recommend for obvious reasons)—one of these top-rated Willamette Valley wine tours might be your best bet.

Good to Know for Willamette Valley Wine Tours

• Minimum Oregon drinking age is 21
• Tasting fees may or may not be included in the tour price
• Most tours offer a generous cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance
• Some tours require a minimum number of travelers
• If your tour does not offer a full lunch (or only a light snack), we recommend eating a full meal beforehand for maximum enjoyment

Willamette Valley Wine Tours:
Our Top Picks

What’s special about this tour

If you’re limited on time or want to get a later start out of Portland, check out this half-day Willamette Valley wine tour with America’s Hub World Tours.

Visit three selected wineries, meet local vintners and experience the best of Oregon wine country.

Tour the countryside in your comfortable Sprinter Van with your informative and professional guide, and leave with a new appreciation of one of the premier wine growing regions in the U.S.!

Highlights

• Tour Length: 6 hours
• Wineries: 3
• Meal Included: Light snack
• Group Size: Group Tour (10 max)
• Departs From: Various points around Portland

What’s special about this tour

This consistently top-rated 7.5-hour wine tour organized by A Great Oregon Wine Tour is a perfect opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the Willamette Valley and taste some of the region’s most outstanding wines.

Tours feature expertly-trained guides leading the way to 3 to 5 vineyards. Geared to all levels of knowledge and interest.

Perennially top-rated and an excellent value for the money puts this one at the top of our list of Willamette Valley wine tours.

Highlights

• Tour Length: 7.5 hours
• Wineries: 3-5
• Meal Included: Lunch
• Group Size: Small Group (10 max)
• Departs From: Various points in the Greater Portland area

What’s special about this tour

Who doesn’t love a fully customizable tour? And this top-rated, full-day private Willamette Valley wine tour with Oregon Wine Maker Tours is one of the best around.

Before you embark on your memorable wine tour, you’ll touch base with Carmine, your knowledgeable tour guide with over 30 years of viticulture experience, to begin customizing your personalized wine tour adventure.

This full-day tour generally features stops at 4-6 of the region’s premier wineries and vineyards, and includes a gourmet wine country picnic lunch.

Highlights

• Tour Length: 8 hours
• Wineries: 3-5
• Meal Included: Gourmet picnic lunch
• Group Size: Private (just your group)
• Departs From: Various points in the Greater Portland area

What’s special about this tour

Wine and local personality come together to make this full-day Willamette Valley wine tour with Terran Travels a truly memorable experience.

Dive deep into the unique history, environment, and character of Willamette Valley wines with your small group (up to 11 people) and knowledgeable guide.

And get to know some of the many colorful personalities of the winemakers and servers of this special region along the way, as you visit three tasting rooms (and lunch) in a variety of settings.

Highlights

• Tour Length: 6-7 hours
• Wineries: 3
• Meal Included: Lunch & snacks
• Group Size: Group Tour (14 max)
• Departs From: Royal Sonesta Portland Downtown

What’s special about this tour

For a special occasion with family, a fun excursion with coworkers, or day out with friends, this private group tour (up to 11 people) with Sea to Summit Adventure might be just the ticket!

Your knowledgeable tour guide (and designated driver for the day) leads you on a memorable expedition featuring outstanding wine and beautiful scenery.

Highlights

• Tour Length: 6-7 hours
• Meal Included: None
• Group Size: Private Group Tour (11 max)
• Departs From: Downtown Portland

What’s special about this tour

This private 8-hour tour from Portland with Willamette Valley Tour introduces you to four carefully-selected top wineries, Oregon viticulture, and the stunning scenery of the Willamette Valley.

Perfect for a romantic getaway, wedding party activity, or special outing with family and friends. Hands down, one of the top Willamette Valley wine tours on offer today.

Want a gourmet lunch as well? Willamette Valley Tour offers this wine tour with an added stop at the famous Red Hills Market in Dundee as well.

Highlights

• Tour Length: 7-8 hours
• Wineries: 3
• Meal Included: Optional Red Hills Market Lunch (see above)
• Group Size: Group Tour (14 max)
• Departs From: Various points around Greater Portland

Looking for a memorable private wine tour from Eugene instead of Portland?

Whether you live in the Eugene area, plan to pass through, or are looking to experience a different part of the Willamette Valley AVA, be sure to check out this top-rated Willamette Valley wine tour from Oregon Vine2Wine Tours!

This full day (8-hour) tour features stops and tastings at four carefully selected small-batch wineries near Eugene, with artisan picnic lunch included.

Ask about transport upgrades from Portland if you plan to be in the Portland area but looking for a fresh and unique, off-the-beaten-path experience.

Highlights

• Tour Length: 8 hours
• Wineries: 4
• Meal Included: Lunch
• Group Size: Private Tour (only your group)
• Departs From: Various points around Eugene

Which of these Willamette Valley wine tours is the best?

We’ve done the hard part narrowing the list of top Willamette Valley wine tours from hundreds to just eight (plus a bonus tour in Eugene).

Now, it’s over to you!

Sure, our top pick could be considered one of the best Willamette Valley wine tours on offer. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the right experience for you and your circumstances.

If you are looking to gain deeper insight into the process, have a more personalized experience, or a private tour with that special someone, there are other tours on the list that are probably better suited for that.

Best Times to Do a Wine Tour in the Willamette Valley

When Lori and I first started considering various Willamette Valley wine tours, we assumed summer would automatically be the best time to go.

Now having visited multitudes of wineries throughout the seasons over many years, we’ve learned it’s not quite that straightforward.

We think the “best” time will ultimately depend on the kind of experience you want—quiet tastings, vineyard views, harvest energy, or the best chance of scoring time with winemakers.

Late Spring through Early Fall (May to October)

This is by far the most popular window, and for good reason. The weather is generally dry, the vineyards are green and full, and most wineries operate on extended hours.

June and July are especially comfortable for touring, with long daylight hours and fewer weather-related cancellations. This is a great time if you want relaxed outdoor tastings, scenic drives between vineyards, and predictable conditions—especially if you’re booking a guided wine tour and want to maximize the number of stops without worrying about rain.

Harvest Season (September and October)

We think these are the most exciting months to visit, but they’re also the busiest. This is when grapes are coming in, and there’s a noticeable buzz in the air.

Some wineries offer special tastings or behind-the-scenes moments during harvest, and you may even see fruit being processed.

The trade-off is availability. Tasting rooms can be crowded, appointments book far in advance, and winemakers are often less available to chat.

If you’re looking at Willamette Valley wine tours during harvest, we strongly recommend booking a tour that already has winery reservations locked in.

Late Winter and Early Spring (February to April)

If you prefer a quieter, more personal experience, this time of year is underrated, in our opinion.

Fewer visitors means more time with tasting room staff, easier reservations, and often more thoughtful conversations about the wines.

The surrounding valley might be shrouded in clouds, and rain is more likely, but for serious wine lovers—especially those interested in Pinot Noir—this can be one of the most rewarding times to tour.

Many wineries are also pouring library wines or new releases during this period.

Best Days of the Week

As for days of the week, midweek tours (Tuesday through Thursday) are noticeably calmer than weekends year-round.

Weekends bring locals, bachelorette groups, and day-trippers from Portland, which can make tasting rooms feel rushed.

If your schedule allows, a weekday tour almost always delivers a smoother, more relaxed experience.

More Reading for Your Oregon Trip

• Cape Kiwanda, Oregon: A Guide to Hiking & Visiting
• 8 Reasons to Visit Cape Blanco State Park & Lighthouse
• Leach Botanical Garden: A Hidden Wonder in SE Portland
• Trillium Lake Hike: Guide to a Great Outing Near Mt. Hood

Featured Image Credit: Dan Meyers / Unsplash