April 2024

Wine | Events | Updates

Spring is HERE! Bud break on the vines has happened in the Willamette Valley as well, which is always an exciting indicator of the seasonal change.

To kickoff Spring, we are highlighting our GSM focused ‘Afterhours’ event this month. This will be a DELICIOUS one, we hope you join us!

See below, and reserve your spot if you haven’t yet.

We hope to see you at the McMinnville Tasting Room this month! Please take note of the current tasting room hours:

McMinnville: DAILY
- Monday – Thursday: 12–6 PM
- Friday 12–8 PM
- Saturday 12–8 PM
- Sunday 12–6 PM
Estate: Friday-Sunday 12-5pm

Cheers 🍷

BROWSE WINES ONLINE

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FEATURED EVENTS

After Hours: GSM | Guided Group Tasting

Wednesday, April 19th | 6:30 pm

We’re back for another ‘Afterhours’ event at our McMinnville location! The theme for this event: GSM, and its 3 varietal counterparts that make up GSM:

2020 Grenache
2020 Syrah
2020 Mourvèdre

After Hours is a guided tasting in a group setting with a different theme for each event, led by Kris, our in-house Sommelier and Tasting Room manager. She will walk you through each component of GSM: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre’s tasting notes, their origin, Chris’s winemaking style, etc.

Accompanying the wines will be hearty appetizer bites prepared by our neighbor 1882 Grille.

LEARN MORE

Yamhill-Carlton AVA Spring Tasting

Saturday, April 20 | 6:00 pm

Yamhill-Carlton’s beloved Spring Tasting returns in 2024! On Saturday, April 20th, 40 wineries will gather at Abbey Road Farm for our region’s annual showcase of top Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, sparkling wine, and more. Enjoy catered food from Caballero’s Catering coupled with wines from every winery, all in the lovely open barn at Abbey Road Farm.

Join us in this special corner of the Willamette Valley for an unforgettable day in Oregon wine country.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Charitable Giving Wine

Thank you to everyone who has helped us support our local charities through wine buying along the way this past year!

Each month Chris James Cellars chooses a non-profit organization to support by spreading awareness all month long. In 2024, we will be donating 10% of Bottle Sales & $1 from each glass pour of our featured wine.

January Charity: Juliette’s House

Their mission is to provide compassionate intervention through prevention, assessment, treatment and support for children and families who may have been impacted by child abuse.

Featured Wine: 2023 Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Profile notes: Floral aromas with a hint of spice and flavors of fresh apricot, white peach, and pear. Extended skin contact (~5 hours) with a cool and extended fermentation.
Available: At both tasting rooms and online
Cost: $30/ per bottle

Wine buying through us will contribute donations to support services, education programs, and research initiatives that give hope to those affected by Autism.

How you can help:

Visit the Tasting Rooms or purchase online all month long
Purchase Bottles: 10% of the 2020 Carménère will be donated
Glass Pours: $1 per glass pour will be donated
Taste the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc before you buy on our wine flight all month long!
Share our social media . HERE

* This wine will be on our weekly wine flights at the tasting rooms all month long, stop in to try before you buy!

LEARN MORE / PURCHASE

Weekly Events

WINE WEDNESDAY: Join us every Wednesday for a midweek treat at our McMinnville location! Enjoy a new wine flight as our menu switches over on Wednesdays, as well as drink specials (see below).
B.Y.O.G (Bring your own games): Every Friday! Round up your friends, or just stop by to enjoy the environment. Every Friday at our McMinnville location, from 5 – 8 pm we offer our space for an evening of games, wine, and light fare!

No reservation needed, our tables will be first come first served

Drink specials: $3 off Glass Pours, and 15% off bottles

RESERVE A TABLE

Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps

July 14-21, 2025 | 7-night river cruise | AmaSerena

Join us as we once again set sail with AmaWaterways. In July 2025 Chris will be wine host for the “Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps” cruise! The cruise includes 7 nights on the river with an optional 2-night stay in Amsterdam beforehand, and optional 3-night stay in Lake Como, Italy afterward.

Please reach out to Nicole Zima (nicole@sailawaygrouptravel.com) for more information or to book your room.

CITIES & SIGHTS

Amsterdam -> Cologne -> Rhine Gorge -> Rüdesheim -> Ludwigshafen -> Heidelberg -> Speyer -> Strasbourg -> Lucerne -> Basel

YOUR JOURNEY ALONG THE RHINE RIVER

Discover fairytale castles and historic vineyards as part of this Rhine River cruise showcasing the wines of the Rheingau and beyond. Start by exploring the canal-laden city of Amsterdam. Then it’s off to Germany, where you’ll discover the grand city of Cologne and the winemaking hamlet of Rüdesheim. Enjoy cruising through the UNESCO designated Rhine Gorge, where 40 castles are strung like pearls along the river banks. Cross the border into France’s Alsace region in enchanting Strasbourg and take in spectacular panoramas of the Swiss Alps. This itinerary is truly a dream come true.