Note: This post was made possible by Visit McMinnville. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I have a soft spot for wine country destinations that feel a little unexpected — places where the food scene punches above its weight, the winemakers have a genuine story to tell, and the whole vibe just makes you want to slow down and stay a while. McMinnville, Oregon? It checks every single one of those boxes.
Last November, I had the privilege of attending Tradition Reimagined, an event celebrating the diverse voices and techniques shaping Oregon’s wine country — both in the Willamette Valley and beyond. Willamette Valley has been high on my radar for years, but I had no idea just how diverse this AVA is — and honestly, something about this trip just felt special. It was one of the most meaningful wine experiences I’ve had in years, and I couldn’t let it live only in my camera roll.
So consider this your introduction to McMinnville — and mine. I’m planning to update this guide as I learn more about the region, so bookmark it if you’re thinking about a trip.
Skip to the Good Stuff
Why McMinnville?
McMinnville sits right in the heart of Oregon Wine Country, about an hour from Portland — which means it’s incredibly easy to reach from PDX, whether you’re flying in or doing a weekend road trip from the city. It has this wonderful quality of feeling like a small town that doesn’t act like one: the dining scene is genuinely impressive, the people are warm and passionate, and there are over 200 wineries within a 20-minute drive of downtown. Oh, and 13 of those tasting rooms are right on Third Street. Yes, thirteen. On one street.
This is the kind of place wine lovers dream about.
What is Tradition Reimagined?
I want to talk about this event because it was the heart of my trip — and because it deserves its own moment.
Tradition Reimagined was a multi-day celebration centered on two things I care a lot about: excellent wine and the stories behind the people making it. The event was organized by Bertony Faustin and Tiquette Bramlett — two incredible people doing meaningful work to expand who gets a seat at the table in Oregon wine country. What made it especially exciting was that we got to try wines not only from the Willamette Valley, but from other wine regions across Oregon that are diverse, unique, and not bound by traditional wine standards. For a wine nerd like me, that was genuinely thrilling.
Here’s a snapshot of what the weekend looked like:
Friday night kicked off with a Crick Take-Over at The Pub — wine, food, hip-hop, and a DJ. If that combination doesn’t get you excited about a wine event, I don’t know what will.
Saturday included a town walk through McMinnville, a tasting at Alumbra Wine, dinner with Chefs Sarah Schafer and Fatou Ouattara at The Ground at Stillwater, and an after-dark community celebration featuring bold wines and DJ OG One. The energy that night was something special.
Sunday brought us out to the OG Crick in North Plains for a brunch featuring duck confit grits and pork belly hash (!!), followed by a visit to Cho Wine, and then a fireside chat with Bertony Faustin, Tiquette Bramlett, and Chef Jonathan Jones — moderated by Kimiko Matsuda. It was one of those conversations that reminded me why wine is really about so much more than what’s in the glass.
One thing that struck me throughout the whole weekend: instead of competing, the wineries and makers here build genuine community. It’s a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy wine, regardless of background — and that is not something you find everywhere in the wine world.
Where to Eat
McMinnville’s food scene is legitimately excellent, y’all. Here are a few spots that came up again and again on my trip:
Mac Market (1140 NE Alpine Ave) is a food hall and community space that you need to put at the top of your list. It houses several vendors under one roof, including Alea Bakery, Honey Pie Pizza, Wellspent Market, and Day by Day Bar. It’s the perfect spot for a casual lunch or an afternoon snack between tastings.
Crescent Cafe (526 NE 3rd St) is where our group had breakfast on Saturday, and it’s a solid, welcoming spot right downtown.
Other local favorites worth noting: Grounded Table, Pura Vida Cocina, Pizza Capo, and Alchemist’s Jam. I’ll be adding more detail on these as I learn more!
Where to Stay
Third Street Flats
We stayed at Third Street Flats, which operates through the Atticus Hotel — and I’m already looking forward to returning. This property is located in the heart of Downtown McMinnville, and within walking distance to numerous shops, restaurants and tasting rooms.
Heads up: this property does not have an elevator, and you will need to climb up stairs to access your room. For ADA access, I would stay next door at the Atticus.
One thing I loved about Third Street Flats? Our room had a full kitchen and was incredibly spacious. It was nice to have room to spread out after a long day of wine tasting and have the option to prepare meals in our room. Spoiler alert: we ended up eating out for our entire stay!
More about the sister property: the Atticus Hotel is a boutique property that opened in 2018 and earned a Michelin Key in 2024 (a big deal!). You have access to complimentary coffee at The Atticus if you stay at Third Street Flats, which we made sure to take advantage of. Their restaurant, Cypress, focuses on locally-inspired Mediterranean cuisine and is worth a visit even if you’re not staying there.
If you’re looking for something even more elevated, Tributary Hotel is Oregon’s only Relais & Châteaux property, and they recently launched a brand-new luxury spa. For a full wine country splurge, this one is on my radar.
Wineries Worth Visiting
McMinnville has 20+ tasting rooms in town, with many more in the surrounding hills. A few that came up on my trip and are worth exploring:
Alumbra Wine — Alumbra is a small, family run winery and led by one of the few Latina winemakers in the state: Elena Rodriguez. If you have the opportunity to experience a tasting with her, you’re in for a treat. She is an incredible storyteller, and this was truly one of the best tastings I’ve been to in a while. Plus, the wine is incredible and innovative!
Cho Wine — Cho was such a pleasant surprise — this winery is led by David Cho, the first Korean-American winemaker in the state. One thing about Cho – they constantly uplift the AAPI community (check out their events — I’m dying to come back for one of their K-pop nights!) Their sparkling wine is exceptional, and I could have stayed here for hours.
For a broader look at the McMinnville AVA specifically, some standouts include Yamhill Valley Vineyards (the oldest winery in the AVA and the 2019 Oregon Winery of the Year), Maysara Winery (a biodynamic gem whose founders’ story is featured in the documentary Somm: Cup of Salvation), and Soter Vineyards — a biodynamic estate with a fine-dining culinary program and some of the region’s best sparkling wines.
Downtown, HiFi Wine Bar has earned serious love from local winemakers for their carefully curated selection — a great stop if you want a more low-key tasting experience.
More detailed winery notes coming as I continue exploring the region!
Where to Shop
Downtown McMinnville’s Third Street is incredibly walkable and lined with adorable, locally-owned small businesses — honestly one of the most charming main streets I’ve strolled in a wine region. Here are a few shops worth popping into:
Third Street Books — A wonderful local bookstore with an incredible selection. The kind of place you wander into for five minutes and leave an hour later.
Mes Amies — A super cute and charming clothing boutique with quirky gifts. Exactly the kind of shop you want to stumble into on a wine country weekend.
Left by West — Another great clothing store worth a browse.
Nash & Nichol — A lovely homegoods store. Great for picking up something to remember your trip by.
What Else to Do
McMinnville has a surprising amount to offer beyond wine. A few highlights:
If you’re an aviation nerd (or traveling with kids), the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is home to the Spruce Goose — the largest wooden airplane ever built. Right next door is Wings & Waves Waterpark, where one of the waterslides drops you out of a Boeing 747. Only in Oregon.
Bierly Brewing is a dedicated gluten-free brewery with a great atmosphere — the kind of place you settle into for an afternoon and lose track of time. They have plenty of hands-on activities on-site, which makes it a fun, offline hang. A great option if you need a break from wine tasting (yes, that can happen!).
Nature lovers will want to look into the trails around Miller Woods or the cycling routes out of town — the McMinnville Peavine Climb is one that came up for the more adventurous riders.
And if your trip lines up with any of these annual events, plan accordingly: the Oregon Chardonnay Celebration (February), the McMenamins UFO Festival (May — yes, this is real, and yes, it looks amazing), and Wine Country Pride (June–October), a nonprofit series founded by winemaker Remy Drabkin celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in wine country.
Final Thoughts
McMinnville surprised me in the best possible way — and Tradition Reimagined reminded me that wine country can be a space for joy, culture, and genuine community. I’ve traveled to wine regions all over the world, and this one left a real impression. I’ll be back, and this guide will grow with me as I do.
If you’re planning a trip to the Willamette Valley, don’t sleep on McMinnville. It’s a gem.
Photos by Tom McGovern
Thank you to Visit McMinnville for hosting me on a media trip. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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