A Wine Country Wellness Weekend

While McMinnville may be known for our numerous wine tasting experiences, sometimes a relaxing wellness weekend is needed. If you’re in the mood for nourishing food, a soothing spa experience, and a mellow, meditative weekend, check out these local offerings of health and wellness. 

Kick off your wellness day at Earth & Elevate Movement Studio, where you’ll find a variety of offerings to stretch and soothe sore bodies. Choose from classes such as Hot Vinyasa, Gentle Pilates, and Deep Stretching, or try an Aerial Yoga class. Drop-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is appreciated. 

If you’re craving a tasty bite after your workout, head to Local Flow. At this Third Street staple, you can choose from their delicious fruit smoothies, smoothie bowls, crepes made with gluten-free batter and wrapped around a great selection of veggie fillings, and their fresh juice blends (think lemon, ginger, kale and apple) and add an immunity booster shot while you’re at it. 

For a relaxing massage, book an appointment with one of McMinnville’s many licensed massage therapists. Altum Massage and BlueBird Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork are among the top reviewed massage therapists in the area. Both locations offer traditional Swedish massage, deep tissue, and pregnancy massage.

At Altum, you can book a couples massage experience. Massage add-ons include hot stones which offer a penetrating heat to sore muscles, cupping which can break up adhesions in soft tissues, and skin treatments such as exfoliation or pain relief gel. BlueBird Therapeutic Massage features a far infrared sauna which offers relaxation, soothes sore muscles and offers improved detoxification and circulation. 

If you prefer a full spa experience, Bloom Aesthetics and Spa Bliss both offer facials, waxing, and brow treatments. Additionally, Bloom Aesthetics offers IV hydration and vitamin infusions.

When it’s time for some forest bathing and time in nature, take an easy walk through one of McMinnville’s many trails, accessible close to the city center. The Rotary Nature Preserve at Tice Woods is a lovely natural area with ponds, wetlands, and forested paths that wind through a mile of great bird watching areas. Joe Dancer Park also has a 1.2 mile forested trail that circles the popular sports field and community park. 

For a meditative end to your day, stop in at Velvet Monkey Tea Shop. Good luck choosing from among their 100+ tea options, including medicinal blends, herbal blends, green and black teas, and fine chocolates for a sweet treat. Located in the basement of the historical 1893 Wright Building, Velvet Monkey is a serene lounge to wind down a wellness day in the valley.

Erin Hall (she/her) is a reader, writer, bookseller, and vegan nacho enthusiast. She’s the author of the Detective Molly Malone series, which begins with her debut novel, Dear Sylvia, Love Jane. Erin has a Master of Arts in writing and publishing through Portland State University’s Ooligan Press (2008). She serves on the board of Gather Repertory Theatre and the Oregon Humanities Programs Advisory Committee, and is an active member of The Oregon Historical Society and Willamette Writers. Erin has taught fiction and memoir writing classes in the Yamhill Valley and always wants to know what books you’re reading. She lives and writes on ancestral Kalapuya land.

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