Scenic Wine Country Drives

Few experiences capture the spirit of Oregon’s wine country like a slow, scenic drive with the windows down and your favorite playlist blasting on the car stereo. From your home base in McMinnville, the heart of the Willamette Valley, winding roads lead you through rolling vineyards, charming historic towns, and serene forested backroads—perfect for an any-day escape.

These routes highlight not only the beauty of the region but also the people and places that make Oreong’s wine country truly special.

McMinnville Mountaintop & Meadow Loop

Approx. 28 miles | 2–3 hours with stops

This scenic loop through the McMinnville AVA is a love letter to quiet roads, high vineyards, and one of Oregon wine country’s most underrated regions. Start your day in downtown McMinnville with a stop at Summon Coffee for a handcrafted espresso or coffee and a moment of calm. Just down the hallway, Bad Dog Bakery is your next essential stop—grab a pastry (or a few) to fuel the adventure ahead.

From there, head west into the hills, where vineyards stretch toward the Coast Range and the city falls away behind you. Your first winery stop is Yamhill Valley Vineyards, a pioneering estate that offers classic expressions of the region’s famed Pinot Noir. Continue along Oldsville Road to Coeur de Terre Vineyard, where they have been farming using organic practices from the start.

Next, ascend to Maysara Winery—a mountaintop estate with sweeping views and a deep-rooted respect for the land it inhabits. Set on a vast biodynamic vineyard, Maysara is known for its elegantly structured Pinot Noir and its striking stone tasting room, a tribute to the owners’ Persian heritage. This land, once stewarded by the Yamhill Kalapuya people, continues to echo a legacy of reverence and resilience. The Momtazi family honors that spirit through sustainable farming and a profound connection to place.

End your loop back in McMinnville, grateful for a route that’s as peaceful as it is beautiful. Especially in spring and fall, don’t be surprised if you pull over just to sit in silence and take it all in.

Dundee Hills Loop

Approx. 33 miles | 2–3 hours with stops

Start your day at Mac Market in McMinnville, a beloved local gathering space housed in a converted warehouse. Inside, stop by Wellspent Market to stock up on picnic provisions—think artisan cheeses, seasonal produce, and natural wines—perfect for an afternoon among the vines.

From there, head northeast on Highway 99W toward Dundee, then veer onto Worden Hill Road for a scenic drive through the heart of the Dundee Hills, the Willamette Valley’s first and most storied sub-AVA. This winding route offers up one iconic vineyard after another—Domaine Roy, Furioso, and Alexana—along with rising stars like Artists Block, and The Grange / Black Walnut Inn.

This is wine country at its best: rolling vineyard vistas, inviting patios, and the perfect backdrop for that picnic you packed. Take your time—golden hour here feels like it was made just for you.

Eola-Amity Hills Ramble

Approx. 35 miles | 3–4 hours with stops

Quieter and more pastoral than the Dundee Hills route, this scenic drive winds south through the charming town of Amity and into the heart of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Along the way, you’ll encounter sweeping valley vistas, groves of Oregon White Oak, weathered barns, and acclaimed wineries like Antica Terra—where Chef Timothy Wastell was a 2025 James Beard semifinalist—plus Corollary Wines, Bethel Heights, and Brooks Wine. On your return, detour through tranquil Hopewell, where open farmland and near-empty roads offer a peaceful finish.

Coast Range Gateway

Approx. 60 miles one way | Full day trip

For the adventure-inclined, this scenic backroad route cuts west through the Oregon Coast Range via Meadow Lake Road and Nestucca River Road—a quiet, lesser-traveled corridor with unforgettable rewards.

Your journey begins in McMinnville, heading north toward Carlton before veering into the forested wilds of Meadowlake Road. Just before the canopy closes in, pause at Résonance Winery, an architecturally striking tasting room nestled among ancient Oregon white oaks.

As the road narrows, misty treetops, cascading streams, and winding ascents unfold into broad coastal plains. This landscape is more than beautiful—it’s sacred. You’ll be crossing the ancestral lands of the Yamhill Kalapuya and Nestucca Tillamook peoples, whose enduring stewardship shaped these ecosystems. Traveling with this history in mind adds depth and reverence to the route.

Stop for a homestyle lunch at Outpost on the River, a cozy roadside gem, before continuing to Tillamook, home of the beloved Tillamook Creamery. On your return to McMinnville, make time to visit the Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center in Grand Ronde to learn more about the region’s Indigenous heritage.

Beloved by adventurous cyclists and road-trippers alike, this route is best tackled in dry conditions—from late spring through early fall. For peak magic, go in autumn, when the forests ignite in fiery hues and the air turns crisp and clean.

Ribbon Ridge Meander

Approx. 40 miles | 2–3 hours

This elegant, slow-paced route winds through one of Oregon’s most boutique AVAs: Ribbon Ridge. With sweeping views of both the Coast Range and the Cascades, it’s a scenic showstopper. Start with a reservation at Sequitur, a former dairy farm turned acclaimed winery and brewery, then head to Cho Wines—one of Oregon’s most exciting new labels. From there, dip south into the steep, undulating hills that give Ribbon Ridge its name, and end your journey at the legendary Adelsheim Vineyard, a cornerstone of Oregon wine history.