December 3, 2020 Update on Covid-19 Restrictions
Governor Kate Brown has announced updated restrictions based on a new framework ranking counties from Lower to Extreme Risk. Beginning December 3, in all Willamette Valley counties, outdoor on-site consumption are allowed at a reduced capacity (maximum 50 people total, 6 in a group, and up to 2 households represented). No indoor tasting is allowed in Extreme Risk counties. Note: Benton County has been downgraded to High Risk, which allows for indoor tastings with some restrictions. However, at this time no wineries in Benton County have told us they’re offering tastings. Stay tuned.
Watch this page for updates as they become available. Please note:
- Continue to call ahead to confirm your plans before visiting any winery or wine country business
- Not all wineries will be offering outdoor tastings
- Order pickup and retail wine sales will continue (see our guide below)
- Tents may be two-sided at most
- Dress warmly!
Oregon Health Authority Guidance for Eating and Drinking Establishments (Updated January 29)
Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Updates
Wineries Open for Tastings by County
The listed wineries have told us they are open for outdoor, on-site consumption beginning December 3 in accordance with Oregon public health guidelines. Each winery links to its individual details. Always call ahead to confirm your plans with your destination. Scroll down for a county map.
Lane County
Marion County
Multnomah County
Polk County
Washington County
Yamhill County
Remy Wines (tastings starting 12/4)
Wineries Open for Takeout
Wineries open for wine to-go only, not for tastings or bottle service, are listed in the spreadsheet below. Note that winery policies can change so check back if you don’t see your favorite winery listed. Always call ahead to confirm your plans with your destination.
November 13, 2020 Update ON COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
Governor Kate Brown has ordered a two-week statewide freeze including the shutdown of restaurants, tasting rooms and bars for all on-premise indoor and outdoor consumption beginning November 18 and lasting through at least December 2. Read the full guidelines here and please note that all tasting rooms listed on this site will be restricted to to-go/pickup for off-premise consumption only until the shutdown is lifted. Watch this space for updates.
Be sure to check out The Giving Season, our holiday campaign that combines Willamette Cares Food Share and Wine Country Thanksgiving with a series of special offers, all redeemable online or via pickup order, from our wineries and wine country businesses.
Travel Oregon has an excellent travel alerts page with more general information and answers to frequently asked questions for travelers in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that the state of Oregon is advising against non-essential travel during the freeze. If you’re arriving to Oregon from out of state, or you’re an Oregonian returning home, a 14-day self-quarantine advisory is in place. Face coverings are required statewide, in all public settings indoors and outdoors.
STATEMENT ON OREGON FIRES
Since the origins of the Willamette Valley AVA, the community has relied on each other to impart knowledge, share resources and offer a support system to those in need. Willamette Valley winemakers have successfully mitigated wildfire smoke in years’ past, including the highly lauded 2018 vintage, and we will continue to do so this year. It’s the kindness of community that consistently fuels resilience and strength.
As we draw on that strength to move forward together, we thank our Willamette Valley wine lovers around the world for their support. Many of you have asked how we’re doing and what all this means for the 2020 vintage.
We must first remember that the Willamette Valley is vast and diverse. Every winemaker is approaching this situation individually and has a variety of factors to consider.
As always, there will be beautiful wines coming from our region. There may be less Pinot noir compared to previous years, because winemakers are committed to making sure every bottle that is made meets the region’s high quality standards.
We also need to remember that this region is more than Pinot noir. There will be outstanding white wines, rosés and sparkling wines that come out of the 2020 vintage.
With that, we are happy to announce that the Willamette Valley has reopened (as before, in accordance with the Governor’s COVID-19 guidelines by county; see below). We’ve listed resources we trust below.
For the media
Please contact Emily Petterson for media inquiries and Morgen McLaughlin (cell: 805-680-2602) for general questions.
Emergency Relief Donation Opportunities
Northwest Red Cross (serves Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Lincoln, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill counties)
Southwest Red Cross (serves Benton, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lake and Linn counties)
- Washington County Services, Beaverton
- YCAP Regional Food Bank, McMinnville
- Metro Services, Portland
- Food for Lane County, Eugene
- Linn Benton Food Share, Corvallis
- Marion Polk Food Share, Salem
Downtown Portland Demonstrations
From Travel Oregon: While Portland’s nightly demonstrations are largely peaceful, violent confrontations have occurred. We are advising visitors to exercise caution in the area within three blocks of the federal courthouse on SW Third Ave. between Salmon and Madison, especially late at night. Flights in and out of Portland International Airport and transportation in and around the city have not been affected.
