Tasting Room Tips for Visitors

No visit to McMinnville would be complete without stopping in to at least one winery tasting room. After all, there are dozens to choose from, so you’ll never know what you’ll find. Check out our wineries page to acquaint yourself with some of the options, or start by learning more about the different styles and varietals of wines common to the Willamette Valley AVA.

In the meantime, here are just a few tips and tricks to help you on your journey of wine exploration:

Ask Questions

People who don’t know anything about wine are some of wineries’ favorite customers because they can share their knowledge with a willing student.

Spitting is OK

It really is OK to spit out your wine samples during tastings. There’s even a spittoon on the bar for that exact purpose. No one will take offense, we promise!

Winery Dogs

Expect dogs to greet you on the grounds of many local wineries. They are friendly and love visitors. It’s best to leave your own dogs at home, though.

Picture-taking

It’s considered good form to ask permission first if you’d like to walk among the grapevines or take pictures with clusters.