7 Willamette Valley Wineries with a View

Wine tasting with a view near Salem, Oregon

Restore your spirits and satisfy your inner wine enthusiast with some of the most scenic wineries and tasting rooms in Oregon's Mid-Willamette Valley. From family-owned boutique estates crafting less than 3,000 cases a year to much larger operations producing thousands more, here are eight destinations in the heart of the valley that pair spectacular views along with diverse and nuanced wines.

Updated 4/26/2024

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Meaning “high hill” in Welsh, boutique winery Bryn Mawr Vineyards sits on the wind-swept western crest of the Eola-Amity Hills in Salem, Oregon, one of the steepest and rockiest spots in the valley. First take in the valley spread out before you, then head inside. Both red and white flights are available, so there’s a lot to sample. Along with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, be sure to try Bryn Mawr’s intriguing Old World-style wines, like Dolcetto or Tempranillo. Leashed pets and picnic lunches are welcome.

A half mile south of Bryn Mawr, 40-year-old family estate Bethel Heights Vineyard also capitalizes on rocky hillside soils and Æolian winds to create its Pinots and Chardonnays. Some of the area’s oldest own-rooted vinifera vines are located here, planted between 1977 and 1979. The results are new and old generation Pinot Noirs, which vary in characteristics depending on the block. Set on an incline, the main tasting room will give you a birds-eye view of Bethel Heights’ 49 vineyard acres. Toys, crayons and coloring paper are available for kiddos.

Also in the Eola-Amity Hills, Cherry Hill Winery, in Rickreall, Oregon, makes about 2,000 cases of estate-grown Pinot Noir, Dijon Cuvée Pinot Noir and Blanc de Pinot Noir each year. Once off the main road, wind through the 90-acre vineyard until you reach the cozy tasting room, set on a rise to capture the hills and ponds. For a white wine with red wine personality, try the Blanc. Its peach notes and crisp acidity are perfect on a warm summer day.

At Salem’s southern edge, Mexican-American family-owned and operated winery Cória Estates opened a tasting room in 2017 atop its 140-acre property. The 360-degree view stretches for miles and includes the 100-acre vineyard and the valley below. On a clear day, look for Mount Jefferson, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens and the South Sister. Cória currently offers four wines for sipping: two Pinot Noirs, a Rosé of Pinot Noir and a Pinot Gris. Live music is held regularly. Kids and leashed pets are always welcome.

Micro-winery Trinity Vineyards, in Salem, sources grapes from its seven acres of Pinot Noir vines as well as Washington’s Columbia Valley and Horse Heaven Hills. That means that along with classic Pinots, you’ll find Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Barbera and Grenache in the Salem tasting room, which pours a rotation of four whites and four reds. The tasting room’s hilltop setting features vines, slopes and mountains. Love music? Stay an evening for the live music series in the summer. The tasting room is open limited hours, be sure to call ahead to confirm.

One of the biggest wineries in the area, Willamette Valley Vineyards’ 50-acre estate tasting room is located about nine miles southeast of Salem. The spacious interior is studded with tables, comfy chairs and fireplaces. Choose from more than 30 wines as well as daily and reserve tasting flights. When weather permits, snag a table outside on the large patio or courtyard and really soak in the valley views along with the sun. Food pairings and tours of the estate are offered daily, see the website for details. Come early on the weekends as the tasting room can get very busy.

Established in 1983, Illahe Vineyards is an 80-acre site located in the Mt. Pigsah, Polk County, sub-AVA of the Willamette Valley. The family-owned winery produces award-winning Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier, Gruner Veltliner and what is likely the state’s only Tempranillo Rose. In the spring of 2023, Illahe unveiled a stunning new tasting room, featuring two sets of accordion glass doors that fill the modern space with light and open onto a wraparound deck overlooking the vineyards.

About the Author

Northwest destinations, hard cider, culinary adventures, family travel – Carrie Uffindell writes about all these topics and more as an Oregon-based freelancer. When not editing the Portland Events Wall Calendar, she has contributed to Northwest Travel & Life Magazine, CIDERCRAFT Magazine, Eater Portland and Red Tricycle Portland. She's also a board member of Travel & Words, a boutique conference held each spring in the Northwest. You can find her portfolio and blog at carrieuffindell.com.

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