Spirited and Sublime Celebrations at Salem's Willamette Valley Vineyards in Fall



Spirited and Sublime Celebrations at Salem's Willamette Valley Vineyards in Fall

Published 08/22/2019 at 5:53 PM PDT
By OREGON TRAVEL DAILY STAFF

Spirited and Sublime Celebrations at Salem's Willamette Valley Vineyards in Fall

(Salem, Oregon) – Just south of Salem, Oregon’s wine country has a special outpost. Willamette Valley Vineyards has been around since the early ‘80s, starting up with the small rush of California vintner pioneers back then and creating a dazzling space that has hosted all kinds of events over the decades.

It does so again in September and November, as it hosts the interactive Oregon Grape Stomp Championship & Harvest Celebration and it joins in the always-exhilarating Thanksgiving weekend celebration that lights up wineries throughout Oregon.

On Saturday, September 21 – 22, Willamette Valley Vineyards (WVV) gets back to its roots with the 29th Annual Oregon Grape Stomp Championship & Harvest Celebration. The festival is one of the largest at the Estate, packed to the rafters of towering structure with wine tasting possibilities, food pairings, the fab grape stomping feature and live music – all forming splendorous day or two at the winery’s scenic surroundings.

WVV chef will be offering a special menu for purchase – one inspired by this harvest.

For the grape stomp, people compete in teams of two, with their roles called the stomper and swabbie. The prize is the title and earning a trip to compete in the World Championship Grape Stomp on October 4th and 5th in Santa Rosa. One of the vineyard’s more spirited traditions is when competitors get dressed up in funky costumes or team uniforms. Prizes are awarded for the most impressive garb.

All family members are encouraged to attend and join in the fun with Kids Stomp taking place each day at 12 pm and adult stomping times occurring throughout the day.

Admission to attend is $15 per person, or $10 for wine club members, owners and their guests. Price of entry includes a wine tasting flight, live music and access to watch the stomping competitions. There is an additional fee of $10 per team to stomp or $5 per team for the 12 pm Kids Stomp. Children under the age of 9 must have an adult as their swabbie. You may purchase general admissions online, or if you would like to participate in the stomp, call (503) 588-9463 to reserve your stomp time.

As the frosts of late fall descend on the Willamette Valley and Thanksgiving weekend gets underway, WVV boasts its big celebration from November 29 to December 1. Festivities go from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Let the wine work off the turkey excess with an intimate seated wine tasting in the Estate’s cellar, boasting some limited release wines, including its 2014 Quinta Reserve Port-style Pinot Noir. You’ll also get to experience their library wine specials and tales of the recent harvest. Tickets include a cellar pass for a seated tasting (scheduled in advance), live music and a wine tasting flight of the latest releases in the Estate Tasting Room. More fab food comes from winery Chef DJ MacIntyre again, featuring a special fall-inspired menu available for purchase.

All events happen at the Willamette Valley Vineyards, 8800 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, Oregon. Website here.