When to Visit the Willamette Valley?

Written By Susan Klieman

The Willamette Valley is a year-round destination, but the experience changes significantly by season. Weather, winery access, crowd levels, and available activities all vary throughout the year. Whether you’re planning a wine-focused trip, outdoor activities, or a quieter visit centered on food and scenery, understanding the seasons will help you plan the right experience.

Below is a practical guide to when to visit the Willamette Valley, what to expect, and how to plan your time once you arrive.

Winter wonderland at Lonesome Rock’s vineyard with the Coast Range in the distance.

Winter in the Willamette Valley

December – February

Winter is the quietest season in the Willamette Valley. Many wineries and restaurants operate on reduced schedules, and tastings are often appointment-only. While weather can be cool and wet, the experience is relaxed, unhurried, and intimate.

What to Expect in Winter:

  • Temperatures typically in the mid-30s to low-50s

  • Regular rain, occasional frost or light snow

  • Fewer visitors and less traffic

  • More time and attention during tastings

  • Reduced hours at some restaurants. Call or check websites first.

Why Visit in Winter:

  • Easier access to sought-after wineries

  • A slower pace and quieter tasting rooms

  • Ideal for focused wine exploration without crowds

Wineries to Visit in Winter:

  • Solena Estate: A picturesque estate winery known for crafting terroir-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Yamhill, OR

  • Lonesome Rock Cellars: A secluded, high-elevation family estate producing organically-farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with rare owner-led appointment-only tastings overlooking the vineyard and Coast Range mountains. Carlton, OR

  • Resonance Carlton Tasting Room: A Willamette Valley winery founded by Burgundy’s Maison Louis Jadot that crafts expressive Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rosé from estate and premier vineyards with French-inspired precision and offers scenic tastings.

Winter Events to Consider:

  • O-Shogatsu, Japanese New Year: A cultural celebration of renewal and new beginnings, with the Portland Japanese Garden marking the start of 2026—the Year of the Horse (Uma)—through traditional programming that honors happiness, prosperity, and the year ahead. January 11, 2026. Portland OR

  • Portland Winter Light Festival: A multi-evening outdoor art and light festival featuring free installations and performances. February 6-14, 2026. Portland, OR

  • Zwickelmania: A statewide craft beer event by the Oregon Brewer’s Guild where more than 120 breweries—over 50 in the Portland metro area—open their doors for free tastings, food pairings, brewer-led talks, and behind-the-scenes tours. February 21, 2026. Portland, OR

  • Oregon Chardonnay Celebration: Sixty producers from across the state come together to pour their signature Chardonnays in a single, day-long tasting event. February 21, 2026. Newberg, OR

More Things to Do in Winter:

  • Ski Mount Hood (day trip): For skiing on Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge Ski Area and Mt. Hood Meadows are the top choices, offering the region’s best combination of terrain, reliability, and access—Timberline for its long season and iconic setting, and Meadows for its size and variety of runs.

  • Winter Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast (day trip): Along the Oregon Coast, gray whale watching is a year-round experience—peaking during winter and spring migrations, continuing with resident whales feeding close to shore in summer and fall, supported by educational viewing at the Whale Watching Center and celebrated statewide during Oregon Whale Watch Week in late December and late March.

Things to Keep in Mind for Winter Travel in Oregon:

  • Weather: Winter temperatures usually sit in the upper 30s to low 50s, with a mix of fog, rain, dramatic skies, and occasional blue-sky afternoons. Dusk arrives as early as 4:30–5:00 PM, and higher elevations may see snow. Always check weather before you leave for the day and don’t travel far if snow or ice storms are expected.

  • Driving: Main highways are usually well maintained, but rural vineyard roads can be narrow, muddy, or icy. Give yourself buffer time between tastings so you’re not rushing. Some roads, especially those leading into the Coast or Cascade ranges may close. Here are some resources:

  • What to Wear: Layers are your friend. A warm jacket or waterproof shell, comfortable boots, and something stylish-but-practical work perfectly. This is Oregon—no one expects you to dress up unless you want to.

Lonesome Rock’s Vineyard in Spring with crimson clover cover crop blooming.

Spring in the Willamette Valley

March – May

Spring marks the start of the growing season in the Willamette Valley. Vineyards begin to green up, wildflowers bloom, and wineries transition out of winter schedules. Rain is common, but crowds remain relatively light.

What to Expect in Spring:

  • Temperatures generally range from the mid-40s to low-60s

  • Frequent rain, especially in March and April

  • Fewer visitors and easier tasting reservations

  • Spring wine releases and reopening of seasonal wineries

Why Visit in Spring:

  • Quieter tasting rooms and more personal experiences

  • Scenic landscapes with fresh growth and flowering trees

  • Good availability at restaurants and lodging

Wineries to Visit in Spring:

  • Lonesome Rock Cellars: A secluded, high-elevation family estate producing organically-farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with rare owner-led, appointment-only tastings overlooking the vineyard and Coast Range mountains. Carlton, OR

  • DePonte Cellars: A family-owned Dundee Hills winery known for Burgundian-style Pinot Noir, rare Melon de Bourgogne, and other expressive wines served daily in a relaxed tasting room in the Dundee Hills. Dayton, OR

  • Granville Wine Company: A boutique, appointment-only Dundee Hills winery led by second-generation vignerons focused on organic, site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines. Dundee, OR

Spring Events to Consider:

  • The Biamp Portland Jazz Festival: A ten-day multi-venue celebration of jazz including local, national, and international musicians. March 5-14, 2026. Portland, OR

  • Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival: A seasonal spring event featuring expansive tulip fields, hot air balloon launches, wine tastings, a specialty gift shop, food and craft vendors, family activities, and photo opportunities. Tentative Dates: March 20 – April 26, 2026. Woodburn, OR

  • Cuvée Stroll at The Allison Inn & Spa: A walk-around tasting benefiting the Yamhill Enrichment Society (YES) and features 40+ Willamette Valley wineries, small bites from local chefs and restaurants, live music, and artisan vendors. April 19, 2026 - Newberg, OR

  • UFO Festival: Each year, thousands of visitors travel an hour southwest of Portland to attend Oregon’s annual UFO Festival, a multi-day event featuring parades, costume contests, guest speakers, and family-friendly activities, second in popularity only to Roswell’s. May 15, 2026. McMinnville, OR

  • Willamette Valley Wine Auction: The region’s leading annual showcase, bringing together top wineries, trade influencers, and collectors to experience distinctive expressions of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine while supporting the promotion of Oregon wine through collaborative tastings and gatherings. May 13 & 14, 2026. Carlton, OR

  • Magic in the Mountains: An annual Chehalem Mountains wine tasting that brings together more than 35 acclaimed Oregon wineries for an afternoon of regional wines paired with food from local purveyors. May 30, 2026 Newberg, OR.

More Things to Do in Spring:

Summertime at Lonesome Rock - the vineyard is lush with views of the Coast Range.

Summer in the Willamette Valley

June – August

Summer is the most popular time to visit the Willamette Valley. Weather is typically dry and warm, vineyards are fully grown, and most wineries operate at full capacity with extended hours.

What to Expect in Summer:

  • Daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s, cooler evenings

  • Little rainfall

  • Busiest season for wineries, hotels, and restaurants

  • Outdoor tastings, events, and festivals

Why Visit in Summer:

  • Reliable weather for vineyard visits and outdoor activities

  • Full access to wineries, markets, and regional events

  • Ideal conditions for multi-day wine country trips

Wineries to Visit in Summer:

  • Lonesome Rock Cellars: A secluded, high-elevation family estate producing organically-farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with rare owner-led, appointment-only tastings overlooking the vineyard and Coast Range mountains. Carlton, OR

  • Domino IV: A winery blending farm life and creativity with terroir-rich Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Syrah, Viognier, and other varietals served in relaxed tastings on its historic vineyard property, Carlton, OR

  • Beaux Frères: Offers appointment-only tasting experiences in the Ribbon Ridge AVA that guide guests through estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and vineyard history with options ranging from a classic seated flight to an extended panoramic tour and rare bottlings. Newberg, OR

Summer Events to Consider:

  • Event list coming soon

More Things to Do in Summer:

  • Hiking the Willamette Valley (day trip): The Willamette Valley offers a wide range of hiking options, from easy walks along urban rivers to challenging, multi-day routes in the mountain ranges that frame the region. Refer to The Ultimate Guide: How To Hike in the Willamette Valley

  • Oregon Coast (day trip): Typically busy in the summer and parking is more challenging, but worth the effort. A 363-mile stretch of publicly accessible Pacific shoreline, offering dramatic beaches, rugged headlands, coastal towns, abundant wildlife and outdoor recreation — from beachcombing and tide pooling to whale watching and scenic drives — making it one of the state’s most beloved travel destinations year-round.

Lonesome Rock in the fall when vineyard leaves turn golden.

Fall in the Willamette Valley (Harvest Season)

September – November

Fall is harvest season in the Willamette Valley and a favorite time for many wine enthusiasts. Vineyards change color, wineries are active with harvest operations, and weather is often stable through October.

What to Expect in Fall:

  • Warm days and cool nights early in the season

  • Harvest activity at wineries, especially in September and October

  • Increased demand for tasting appointments

  • Fall foliage across vineyard landscapes

Why Visit in Fall:

  • Opportunity to see vineyards during harvest

  • Excellent weather for tasting and touring

  • Seasonal food and wine events

Wineries to Visit in Fall:

  • Corollary Wines: A boutique winery dedicated to exploring traditional-method Oregon sparkling wines, offering seated tastings of a range of brut, rosé, and blanc de blancs bubbles in a scenic outdoor setting. Amity, OR

  • Lonesome Rock Cellars: A secluded, high-elevation family estate producing organically-farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with rare owner-led, appointment-only tastings overlooking the vineyard and Coast Range mountains. Carlton, OR

  • Bethel Heights: A pioneering family-run estate in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley producing highly expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from diverse hillside soils, with relaxed hospitality and scenic vineyard views that reflect decades of terroir-focused winemaking. Salem, OR

Fall Events to Consider:

  • Event list coming soon

More Things to Do in Fall:

  • Hiking the Willamette Valley (day trip): The Willamette Valley offers a wide range of hiking options, from easy walks along urban rivers to challenging, multi-day routes in the mountain ranges that frame the region. Refer to The Ultimate Guide: How To Hike in the Willamette Valley

  • Oregon Coast (day trip): A bit quieter than the summer months with less crowds. A 363-mile stretch of publicly accessible Pacific shoreline, offering dramatic beaches, rugged headlands, coastal towns, abundant wildlife and outdoor recreation — from beachcombing and tide pooling to whale watching and scenic drives — making it one of the state’s most beloved travel destinations year-round.

What’s the Best Time to Visit the Willamette Valley?

There is no single “best” time to visit the Willamette Valley—only the best time for your priorities.

At a glance:

  • Spring: fewer crowds, green landscapes

  • Summer: best weather, most activity

  • Fall: harvest energy and vineyard color

  • Winter: quiet, focused tasting experiences

Planning around the season allows you to shape your visit around what matters most—whether that’s wine tasting, scenery, events, or simply time and space to explore at your own pace.

Susan Klieman
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Inside the Distinctive Style of Lonesome Rock Willamette Valley Pinot Noir