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Oregon

Perfecting Pinot: The Art of Wine in Oregon’s Willamette Valley

Program No. 23989RJ
Oregon’s Willamette Valley produces 70% of the state’s wine. Meet local winemakers, learn how to pair wines with food and get an insider’s look into this growing industry.
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Food & WineRegional StudiesSmall GroupNature & Environment
Length
6 days
Rating (4.8)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,349

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6 days
5 nights
13 meals
5B 4L 4D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Lecture
McMinnville, OR
2
Tasting Class, Barrel Cave Field Trip, Lecture
McMinnville, OR
3
Olive Oil, Wine Tasting, Lecture
McMinnville, OR
4
Raptors in Vineyards, Vineyard Walk, Free Time
McMinnville, OR
5
Wine Production, Winery Dinner
McMinnville, OR
6
Program Concludes
McMinnville, OR
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At a Glance

While Oregon produces a mere 1% of the nation’s wine, many of its blends have received some of the highest quality ratings in the industry. Journey into the heart of the Willamette Valley to meet local winemakers at their vineyards, visit farms to learn about sustainable agriculture, and sample some of the region’s famous Pinot Noir with experts who share advice on wine pairing. Gain insight into the lives of workers who make these vineyards what they are today, and hear how raptors are often used as an environmentally friendly way to control pests in vineyards. Due to accommodations limitations, single rooms are limited and roommate matching is unavailable for solo travelers.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking over varied terrain at vineyards and farms.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Delight in wine tasting events at local vineyards, visit local farms for a farm-to-table meal, and learn how to pair Pinot Noir with your favorite foods.
  • Discover sustainable alternatives to traditional agriculture practices through a demonstration on falconry.
  • Learn about the impacts and contributions of seasonal and migratory workers on the wine industry.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Jeff Peterson
Dr. Jeff Peterson, a professor at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, has lived and worked in much of Latin America. He is a faculty member of the Wine Studies Program through the Evenstad Center for Wine Education and led the founding of Linfield College’s Wine Studies Program, the only wine studies program in the United States to focus on the liberal arts approach to the wine industry. He also founded Vinum Docet, which uses wine as a way to explore history, culture, and food.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Linda Wanless
Linda Wanless View biography
Linda Wanless was born under a wandering star in Lubbock, Texas. She wandered through Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, California and the Oregon coast before moving to Portland in 1980. She retired from the health insurance industry and connected with Road Scholar in 2006. She enjoys sharing the beauty and her love of the Pacific Northwest with others. In her off time, Linda enjoys puttering with her flowers, reading, photography, classical music and the company of her family and Shih Tzu, Scooter.
Profile Image of Jeff Peterson
Jeff Peterson View biography
Dr. Jeff Peterson, a professor at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, has lived and worked in much of Latin America. He is a faculty member of the Wine Studies Program through the Evenstad Center for Wine Education and led the founding of Linfield College’s Wine Studies Program, the only wine studies program in the United States to focus on the liberal arts approach to the wine industry. He also founded Vinum Docet, which uses wine as a way to explore history, culture, and food.
Profile Image of Toni Ketrenos
Toni Ketrenos View biography
Toni Ketrenos teaches in the Wine Studies Department at Linfield College in Oregon. Prior to joining the faculty in 2020, she worked in nearly all tiers of the wine industry, including production, distribution, and retail. She earned her diploma in wines from the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (WSET) and Certified Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators, as well as other regional certifications. In addition to wine, Ketrenos loves to travel, kayak, sew, and hike with her son and Australian Shepherd, Azzi.
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