: Nick Grier / Abbey Road Farm

Cozy Winter Sleeps for Wine Lovers

Enjoy fewer crowds during the cozy season in wine country.
December 10, 2019 (Updated December 28, 2022)

You might have had the chance to sleep in a yurt — the cozy round structures you can book at many Oregon State Parks — but have you heard of sleeping in a grain silo?

You can do just that in Willamette Valley wine country at Abbey Road Farm. The converted grain silo bed-and-breakfast is located on an 82-acre working farm, complete with a wine tasting room (with indoor and outdoor seating), manicured gardens, panoramic views and a newly renovated horse riding arena complete with meeting rooms, lounge and catering kitchen perfect for a wine country event. 

This hidden base camp in Carlton is one of several unique places to stay when a day of wine tasting just isn’t enough to capture the full experience. Spending a night or two at a cozy lodging property — especially in the winter — is all about the crackling fires, the pitter-patter of rain and the romance of Mother Nature, since the skies can be foggy or drizzly one minute and crisp and sunny the next. Here are three cozy places to stay the next time you’d like to extend your trip in Willamette Valley wine country.

Guests are welcome to wander the grounds at Abbey Road Farm and say hello to the goats as well as chickens, alpaca, llama and other animal friends. (Photo by: Nick Grier)

Farm Life in Carlton

Here, off a quiet farm road in Carlton, you’ll find an old grain silo on a hill overlooking the valley. Don’t be fooled — the silo at Abbey Road Farm has been renovated to house five well-appointed rooms, each with its own bathroom, art-filled walls and windows for that dreamy vineyard view. Guests to the farm can enjoy the daily chef-made breakfast prepared by chef/innkeeper Will Preisch (formerly of Portland’s Park Kitchen, Le Pigeon, The Bent Brick and Holdfast).

Guests are also welcome to wander the garden — with its fruit and veggies, flowers, teas and medicinal plants — and say hello to the goats, chickens, ducks, mini donkeys, alpaca, llama and sheep. The farm is committed to using organic practices in all farmable acreage (vineyard and produce), using sustainable energy as much as possible, and inspiring visitors to appreciate the land where their food and drink comes from. 

Visitors are nearby dozens of tasting rooms, including the Abbey Road Farm tasting room, as well as fabulous places to eat. For a quick and easy picnic with your favorite bottle of vino, pick up gourmet provisions at Red Hills Market.

You'll be right in the middle of the wine-tasting action at Vineyard View Inn, in the heart of Newberg.

Vineyard Views in Newberg

The biggest problem you’ll have at Newberg’s Vineyard View Inn is where to go tasting first, with at least half a dozen tasting rooms within about a mile: Hazelfern Cellars, Prive Vineyard, Swick Wines, Bells Up Winery, Rain Dance Vineyards and Pamplin Family Winery, plus Soter Vineyards and tasting room, next door to the inn. Soter is known for its exquisite pinot noirs as well as chardonnay and dry rose. Pick up a bottle or three and head back to your room at the inn, where each of the five rooms include a cozy fireplace and all of the luxurious amenities you’d expect in wine country. Gather around the fire pit in the yard for s’mores and a nightcap.

Bustling Downtown in McMinnville

At Youngberg Hill in McMinnville, nine guest rooms sit atop a 50-acre hilltop overlooking the valley below. You can sample the pinot at the family-owned organic winery, which includes certifications for LIVE , Salmon Safe and Sustainable Oregon Wine Board practices. Head six miles east to the bustling downtown area, where tasting rooms, boutique shops and restaurants line the streets. The boutique Atticus Hotel and funky Third Street Flats are two other lovely options within walking distance of downtown spots like the new Pizza Capo, which serves up woodfired pies with seasonal ingredients like a recent “valley special” with chanterelles, bacon mascarpone, fontina, rosemary, fried sage and hazelnuts. 

Landmark Wines in Turner

At Willamette Valley Vineyards, just off Interstate-5 in Turner, a stay at one of their plush suites includes a private winery tour and tasting as well as a $150 wine credit. Founded in 1983 by Oregon wine pioneer Jim Berneau, the vineyard is one of Oregon’s largest wine producers and one of its most popular tasting rooms, with an expansive patio, courtyard and 65-foot lookout tower. Visitors can show up at the tasting room for a free afternoon daily tour of the estate, and dogs are welcome on the decks and lawns. Pair a pinot flight with bites from the chef-prepared menu — the Willamette Valley BBQ bacon burger comes with wagyu beef and truffle fries. The vineyard is just down the road from Enchanted Forest (open March through October), where you can be a kid again with nostalgic theme-park rides and fun for all ages.

Take in views of nearby filbert orchards, pastures and rolling hills at the cozy Franziska Haus in the Dundee Hills.
Advertisements

Rustic Elegance in Dundee

Two miles west of Newberg in the Dundee Hills, Franziska Haus makes a dramatic statement, with its lodge-like structure contrasted with Old World accents. After a day of wine tasting, curl up with a book in a cozy nook, stroll the grounds and take in the views of nearby filbert orchards, pastures and rolling hills. In the morning, sit down to a breakfast of traditional hearty German cuisine served by the innkeepers, then head out for another day of exploring. Duck Pond Cellars and The Four Graces are a stone’s throw away, and the seasonal dishes at Recipe Neighborhood Kitchen just 2 miles north are a bit of wine-country indulgence not to miss. 

 


If You Go:

Call before visiting — During winter, many wineries cut back on hours and pare down food programs. It’s often a good idea to call ahead to confirm. The same goes for restaurants and lodging. With fewer options, things can fill up fast, so advance reservations are key.

Check weather and road conditions Winter in the Willamette Valley can be wet, so bring a raincoat, water-resistant footwear and, for extra points, a spare pair of socks. You never know when you might have the chance to take an impromptu vineyard hike. 

Book a tour — Consider making a car-free trip to wine country. Or, if no one in your group wants to be the designated driver, book a guided tour. Having a driver takes the stress out of wine tasting and lets everyone in on the fun. Backcountry Wine Tours and A Great Oregon Wine Tour leave from Portland. From Salem try Prestige Wine Tours or Valley Vineyard Tours. Eugene Wine Tours and Cork and Barrel Wine Tours cover the South Valley.

About The
Author

Jen Anderson
Jen Anderson is a longtime journalist and travel writer/editor who is now Travel Oregon’s Content & Community Manager, helping to align content for visitors via social media, print and web. She’s called Oregon home for 25 years and loves finding the latest places to eat, drink and play around the state with her husband and two boys. Brewpubs, beaches and bike trails top the list.

Trip Ideas