Boutique is beautiful in Oregon wine country

The minute you pull into McMinnville, Oregon, you know this won’t be a typical wine country experience. The cozy village still feels, well, cozy. When you pop into the wineries along the main street, you’re as likely to be sitting next to a local as you are a tourist. The Third Street Books clerk will ask you what you like to read and make personalized recommendations. Pizza Capo server Caleb can offer great hiking suggestions and even set up an excursion for you through his private concierge travel service The Valley Outfitters. Even the antique store doesn’t take itself too seriously, with giant Ziplock bags of jewelry for sale and a tongue-in-cheek boudoir section tucked behind the curtain.

This is a different kind of wine country, one still infused with the rugged pioneer spirit. Even the oldest wineries in Oregon just aren’t that old, though people were fermenting grapes in Oregon before it was even a state. Nearly all the wineries have a boutique feel, very different than the sprawling estates of other more popular destinations. If you run into a bachelorette party, they’ll be wearing hiking boots, not tiaras.

Start by checking into the Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg. This gorgeous facility is a great jumping off point to explore Oregon’s incredible Willamette Valley, while providing so much excellent food, wine, and spa services that you’ll have to tear yourself away. The spa is one-of-a-kind, with a Himalayan salt room, private and co-ed relaxation areas, and even outdoor treatments. The recently renovated Jory restaurant features a chef’s counter where you can watch the kitchen in action, or choose to sit in the elegant main dining area and enjoy a four-, five- or seven-course tasting menu, complete with curated wines from the cellar.

Once you’ve enjoyed the amenities, take a spin out to wine country. Furioso Vineyards in Dundee is a can’t-miss destination. Enjoy an incredible selection of unique wines like the Melon de Bourgogne you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. Take extra time to admire the owner’s incredible art collection — which includes some of his own works — that adorn the walls.

Then head to Torii Mor, a special place nestled into the Dundee Hills that was first planted in 1972. The facility has a lovely Japanese garden on site, a nod to the name of the winery: a combination of the traditional Japanese torii gates with the Scandinavian word for earth. Even the mineral water they pour on site is from the winery, which helps explain why the wines are so good.

Then swing by Branch Point Distillery for a palate cleanser. The distillery crafts whiskeys made solely from Oregon grains, giving them unique and interesting flavors that are unlike anything you’ve had. There’s even a cocktail flight so you can try them in different formats.

End the day in McMinnville at Humble Spirit, a farm-to-table restaurant where every ingredient sings in harmony with the rest. Sit at the bar if you can, and chat up bartender Steven, who will make menu recommendations while he mixes specialty cocktails. He will suggest the burger and, while it may be tempting to order something else, this burger will leave you at a loss for words. Other restaurants in town may get more buzz but this humble spot is a cut above.