Oregon's Underrated City Boasts A Beautiful Wine Country For A Romantic Getaway

Whether you're looking for incredible beaches or wine, California quickly comes to mind as a must-visit destination. However, neighboring Oregon holds its own with underrated coastal cities with panoramic beaches and one of the best, though perhaps overlooked, wine regions in the United States — especially if you're a fan of pinot noirs and tasting rooms without the crowds. At "the Heart of Oregon Wine Country" in the picturesque Willamette Valley lies McMinnville, a small city of roughly 35,000, perfect for a special or romantic weekend for all. McMinnville is just an hour southwest of Portland by car, though busy city life will feel a world away, whether you're warmly beckoned into the local community or dining on global cuisines.

The area around McMinnville was home to the Kalapooia tribe and first settled in the 1840s by pioneers who traversed the Oregon Trail during the Great Migration, though many moved south to California during the gold rush at the end of the decade. McMinnville was first plotted in 1855 and named by William T. Newby for his hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee, and over the next few decades, downtown McMinnville sprang up to largely support agriculture and Linfield University, both of which have been important to the city. While grapes and vineyards were not widely planted until the 1970s, the 40,500-acre McMinnville AVA is world renowned for its unique climate that nurtures grapes on the vine for longer periods, giving them fruity and earthy tones. The region is most famous for pinot noirs, though smaller amounts of chardonnays and pinot blancs are also produced.

While McMinnville makes a great romantic weekend destination, it would take days to savor every variety of wine at the 200-plus wineries dotting the foothills. To get a flavor of what the region has to offer, opt for a tasting tour. Several local companies, including May Your Glass Be Filled Tours and the NW Wine Shuttle, provide transportation between wineries throughout the McMinnville AVA. Tours can be customized for just you and your special someone or alongside multiple couples to celebrate a weekend without the kids. A handful of the must-visit wineries are the holistic Maysara Winery, the award-winning Coeur de Terre Vineyard, and Youngberg Hill. All are within 20 minutes of downtown and welcome walk-ins (Maysara asks to call in advance), though reservations are recommended.

Back in town, you'll have little to no trouble finding a parking spot (though note the posted time limits) and a bite or a beverage in the Granary District, center stage for McMinnville's rich culinary scene. You'll find unique cafes, restaurants, and bars catering to whatever suits your palate. One local winery, Brittan Vineyards, offers late-morning and afternoon tastings in its Granary District tasting room on weekends, which is a great way to kick off your day. It's under a mile from "Oregon's Favorite Main Street," the tree-lined Third Street, where you'll find a wide variety of historic, boutique hotels. If you'd rather pair your romantic evening overlooking the Willamette Valley under the stars, Youngberg Hill has several rooms for rent at its bed-and-breakfast. Another option recommended by WineryHunt Oregon is to opt for a short-term rental.

Though McMinnville is gorgeous and relatively mild year-round, optimal times to visit for wine tours are in the spring or fall months. Not only are the nearby foothills perfect for a quiet walk or bike ride through nature during these times of year, but wineries will be in full swing gearing up for a fruitful year or a bountiful harvest. On tours, budget at least $10 to $20 per person for a wine tasting, per Visit McMinnville, though several wineries have higher fees that can be waived with a purchase. For some of the best views during this time of year, don't miss visiting the Fairsing Vineyard (30 minutes outside downtown) or taking a beautiful, quiet walk along the Rotary Nature Preserve where you may see wildlife.  

Also consider making a stop at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum just east of town. Inside you'll find incredibly unique types of aircraft, including an SR-71 (a former spy plane and one of the world's fastest aircraft) along with the one-of-a-kind Spruce Goose, the world's largest wooden aircraft. Though your ride in might not be as impressive as these aircraft, you can reach McMinnville via Portland International Airport (PDX), one of the most traveler-friendly U.S. airports. From PDX, public transportation to McMinnville is available (to Linfield University), though you'll likely want to rent a car to explore not only the incredible wineries but also Oregon's other popular tourist attractions.