Haute couture is high-end winemaking that is constructed by hand from start to finish, producing high-quality, expensive, often unusual wines and made with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable winemakers—often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques.
Appointments only tastings . These are wineries you probably have not heard of, and you may have difficulty finding them even as you are staring right at 'em! Without solicitation, sommeliers rave about these wineries and the winemakers. This is a true oenophile experience and collectors’ choice, as you will be tasting in private and have unique tasting experiences (often with no tasting fee). The tasting typically takes place in beautiful areas of the barrel room (dress for cool temperatures). They guarantee the experience will exceed your expectations. And in exchange, they often have the expectation you come with the intention of ordering 2-6 bottles or a case minimum.
With this option, we will choose the TOP choices typically from our Hidden Gems list.
With this option, we will choose the TOP choices typically from our Hidden Gems list.
Although there are so many places to visit, we recommend allocating 1.5 - 3 hours per visit and no more than three wineries per day. Quickly tasting a flight of their wines and leaving after 30 minutes, or even an hour is not often a memorable experience. The magic happens when you’re not in a hurry; ask if the winemaker is around, see if there are any animals on the property you can say hello to, ask all of the questions your heart desires. Once in Forest Grove we got to sit on a tractor and play with a little baby goat. That was our favorite visit of the entire day and it happened because we weren’t in a rush. The smart move is to schedule one or two visits early that require appointments and then have a couple in your back pocket that are open to visitors walking in. That way, if you have time, you can plug one of those options in.
The facility tour is hosted in an intimate setting by the owner/winemaker or with one of their wine ambassadors. For an hour to 2 hours, you have the undivided attention of a knowledgeable professional to talk about their select wines, general wine education, information about their property and its AVA, and answer any kind of question you may have.