Within minutes of driving south from Portland, Oregon, the cityscape fades into quiet farmland. Rows of grape vines dip into green valleys, set against the backdrop of tall pine trees and the silhouette of Mount Hood.

Stretching approximately 150 miles from Portland to Eugene, the Willamette Valley is Oregon's largest wine region — and it's central to the state's regenerative agriculture and agritourism movements. From farms to accommodations, restaurants to vineyards, a hyper-local, hyper-seasonal community ethos takes center stage here.

The Willamette Valley is the perfect destination for a weekend or week-long road trip for oenophiles, food lovers, and eco-conscious adventurers. More than 25 wineries, in addition to restaurants and hotels, have EV charging stations to further enhance your carbon-conscious road trip. The coalescence of purpose-driven hospitality, agriculture, wine, food, and outdoor activities, coupled with a tight-knit community, is giving way to a palpable agritourism movement that invites travelers to slow down and experience the ebb and flow of nature and its bounties in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Where to Wine

The Willamette Valley is pinot noir country. The region's climate — cool, wet winters and warm summers with cool evenings — is ideal for growing the red grapes. In more recent years, whites like chardonnay and pinot gris grapes are also gaining traction. There are 12 American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) in the greater Willamette Valley where you'll find dozens of wineries that have adopted organic and sustainable practices in a pledge to operate more closely in tune with the land.

Sip Burgundian-inspired wines at Nicolas-Jay Estate in the city of Newberg. Nicolas-Jay uses no-till, fully organic methods to produce elegant vintages of pinot noir and chardonnay. The wine estate has recently purchased a Monarch Tractor, making it the first winery in the Willamette Valley to use this 100% electric tractor. Next, drive about 15 minutes to Mineral Springs Ranch. The property encompasses the farm, vineyard, and tasting room for Soter Vineyards, which uses completely biodynamic practices. Enjoy pinot noirs, chardonnays, and sparkling wines from the expansive tasting patio overlooking rolling vineyards. Each year, Soter also produces two expressions of Planet Oregon Wines — a pinot noir and a brut rose produced from pinot noir grapes. The wines are made using sustainable growing practices and 1% of bottle sales are donated to the Oregon Environmental Council.

Not far down the road is Ambar Estate, which opened its doors in the summer of 2024. Ambar is the Willamette Valley's first regenerative organic certified (ROC) winery. From using lighter bottles to wastewater treatment to electric trucks and forklifts, the regenerative ethos is embedded into every element of the winery.

Regenerative farming looks a bit different everywhere. For Ambar, it means practicing minimal tillage to preserve the underground ecosystem. Tillage can also exacerbate climate change by releasing carbon stored in the soil. "We plant a diverse cover crop… including plants like clover that attract nitrogen-fixing bacteria, to help our soil self-fertilize," the Ambar team told Smart Luxury. The idea behind all this is simple: diversity increases resiliency. If all the niches in your vineyard ecosystem are filled, weeds and pests are kept at a minimum."

Ambar's tasting room is inspired by Japanese and Pacific Northwest design and complemented by a Japanese-inspired garden and clusters of redwood trees. The structure features solar panels on the roof, helping the winery to run on solar power. As you taste the estate's outstanding pinot noir and chardonnay vintages, look across the vines to the snowcapped peak of Mount Hood from the tasting room's floor-to-ceiling windows.

Where to Dine

While known for its wine, food — both in terms of agriculture and culinary experiences– is also an inseparable element of the Willamette Valley and its commitment to environmental integrity. And for food lovers, it's an unmissable element of an agrotourism trip to the region.

Agrotourism is as impactful for the local environment as it is for the local producers. "In the local food scene, [farmers] supply chefs with peak-season ingredients, inspire creative menus, and ensure that every dish reflects the story of the land," said Chef Sarah Schafer, who heads up Humble Spirit. "This relationship is cyclical; when these producers thrive, our entire food culture becomes stronger."

Schafer's understated restaurant in downtown McMinnville invites you to sample seasonal dishes in a bright space. The evolving menu features dishes like albacore confit and squash cavatelli crafted from ingredients that have largely been sourced from Tabula Rasa, a nearby regenerative farm. Humble Spirit's owners are bringing the same farm-to-table concept to The Pub, a family-friendly space set to open in McMinnville in April.

"Regenerative agriculture is transforming how we grow, eat, and experience the Willamette Valley … By improving soil health through methods such as cover cropping, no-till farming, and livestock integration, vineyards and farms are producing more flavorful crops while enhancing resilience," Schafer continues. "For diners, this means access to hyper-local ingredients, terroir-driven wines, and menus that reflect the unique story of the land. Visitors are not just wine tasting; they are participating in immersive farm experiences, including vineyard tours and harvest feasts. This shift is not only sustainable but also represents a commitment to leaving the land in better condition than we found it."

For a fine-dining-meets-storytelling experience, book a seat at Anthology's communal table on the property of Four Graces Winery. Anthology launched its first menu in the summer of 2024 and releases a new menu complemented by wine pairings every season. Each iteration of the menu blends the best of local, seasonal ingredients with storytelling inspired by Chefs Chase Williams and Zack Ehrlich's backgrounds. Sit back, enjoy views over the vineyards, and watch the chefs meticulously prepare the food while you savor dishes like poached clams on brioche toast with chardonnay jam and truffles and glazed squash with wild mushrooms and goat cheese.

Another stop to add to the trip is Durant Olive Mill in Dayton, Oregon. Home to 15 acres of olive trees, an Italian-style mill, and a farm shop, Durant produces award-winning olive oils. Stop by for an olive oil tasting or join for harvest festivities throughout November at the Olio Nuovo Festival.

Explore the Willamette Valley on Foot or by Bicycle

Round out wine and culinary experiences with outdoor adventures. The region is full of forests, waterfalls, lakes, and rivers. You can hop on a portion of the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway or choose to cycle the entire path that winds for 134 miles along the Willamette River. Stop at wineries, cafes, and pubs along the way. There are also plenty of farm stands to stop at and buy local goods, including eggs, vegetables, and bread, at Source Farms just outside of Yamhill and the Newberg Wednesday Market. Or, follow one of the four designated, self-guided Oregon Farm Loops that bring you to the region's best farms, wineries, and shops.

If you prefer to adventure on foot, the region has plenty of accessible hikes and wildlife refuges. Stroll along flat paths through lush greenery and along the river in Champoeg State Heritage Area near Newberg or look for local birds and wildlife as you walk along the trail in Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge south of Salem.

Where to Stay

From small-town historical hotels to wine farm stays, the Willamette Valley is plentiful with agritourism-related accommodations.

Inn the Ground in Carlton embodies regenerative luxury. The B&B — part of The Ground initiative of which Tabula Rasa Farm and Humble Spirit are also part — was built with the intention of bringing guests closer to the practices of regenerative farming. The property includes a modern-style inn built partly above and partly below the ground of Tabula Rasa farm and a couple of on-site farmhouses perfect for small groups or families. Join a tour to learn about the farm's regenerative practices, wander along creeks through winding forest, and catch a sunset over the hill, staying warm in front of a fire pit.

The Grange Estate, the property connected to Anthology, opened its doors in late 2024. Nine bespoke suites featuring handcrafted details made with locally sourced materials like black walnut wood tables and countertops are housed in a cabin-like building that oozes an Oregon-meets-Scandinavia aesthetic. Start your day with a chef-prepared breakfast featuring decadent dishes inspired by local, seasonal ingredients. Take a walk through the vineyards, pause with one of the many books or games in the well-stocked common space, or simply curl up underneath a plush blanket in front of the fire.

Stay in a refurbished grain silo at Abbey Road Farm, where you can wander through the 82-acre property, taste small-batch wine from organically grown varietals including grüner veltliner and godello, and drink in the views.

In the heart of downtown McMinnville, find the Tributary Hotel, a former 100-year-old hardware store. The small, luxury, hyper-local hotel is named for Oregon's waterways (each suite is named after a local river) and is culinary-focused. The elaborate, multi-course breakfast spread is sourced from the property's regenerative farm — and is the perfect way to fuel up for a day of wine tasting and outdoor adventuring.

How to Get There

The Willamette Valley is best accessed by flying into Portland and driving down. The start of the Valley is just about half an hour south of Portland and is most easily explored by car.

When to Go

Although the Willamette Valley can be explored any time of the year, your best bet for having good weather (the region can be chilly and rainy late fall through early spring) is visiting May though October. Harvest season (late September through October) is a fun time to visit with lots of activity and special tastings.

Know Before You Go

The Willamette Valley is big — so do some pre-trip planning to decide which sub-regions and AVAs you want to visit. Advanced bookings are recommended during peak season as well. 

Combine With

The Willamette Valley pairs well with a trip to Portland (known for its food scene, especially the food trucks) and Mount Hood for hiking, mountain biking, and mushroom foraging.