December 2025
Happy Holidays from Chris James Cellars
December is here and the 2025 year draws to a close.
The winter chill is starting to set in and we at Chris James Cellars find ourselves reflecting with gratitude on the wonderful memorable moments with you this year.
December is a time for gathering, savoring, and celebrating, and we’re delighted to raise a glass with all of our friends as we look back on a year filled with exceptional wines, award-winning new releases, and fun experiences.
From all of us at Chris James Cellars, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season willed with joy and great wine!
Cheers! 
Come visit us and stock up on all the wines you need for your holiday celebrations!
Visit us at our downtown McMinnville Tasting Room for a day of strolling the shops and sipping some wines in our cozy tasting room on these chilly winter days.
McMinnville is open 7 days a week.
Sun-Thurs: 12pm-6pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm-8pm
The Carlton Estate is now closed for the winter season. We will see you there again come Spring!
GET THEM BEFORE THEY’RE GONE!
Wines we are very low in stock on!
2023 Sparkling Rose, Yamhill-Carlton (Estate)
2020 Barbera, Columbia Valley
2022 Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon, Columbia Valley
Wines available online and in both tasting rooms.
FEATURED EVENTS
WINE CLUB HOLIDAY PARTY
WINE CLUB EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY PARTY!
Saturday December 6th, 12-5pm || The Erin Hanson Gallery
Join us in celebrating the season with a delightful Wine Club Holiday Party at The Erin Hanson Gallery.
Indulge in the joy of wine, snacks, and music with your fellow club members, and feel free to extend the invitation to up to 3 guests per member.
Let’s raise a toast to good company, fine wines, and the shared passion for the art of winemaking. Looking forward to celebrating with you!
Wine club members must RSVP by December 1st.
Not a wine club member? Visit us at either tasting room, or online, to find out more about our customizable wine club memberships.
Featured Events
Tapas Happy Hour at the McMinnville Tasting Room
Saturday November 22nd || McMinnville Tasting Room || 3pm-6pm
Add to your wine tasting experience with our Tapas-style Happy Hour, with Chef Sami Marquez! Spanish-driven shareable plates with a Farm to Table approach, featuring Live-Grilled and Local ingredients from our neighboring farmers.
This menu features 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, with the exception of the side grilled bread.
Reservations are highly encouraged and will ensure your table, but food will be first-come, first-served basis, and available until we sell out! Food & wine sold separately. No ticket sales for this event.
BONUS!
If you’re a STEAK lover, Chef Sami will have her newly launched Steak Sauce for sale at the happy hour. Mention this newsletter to get $2.00 off per bottle. Limited supply. If you would prefer to pre-order, please visit her website at www.vinotrece.com
How to Reserve Your Table:
Make a standard reservation for Saturday, November 22nd at the McMinnville location, between 3 and 6 pm to enjoy this Tapas Happy Hour. We can’t wait to have Sami with her grills on-site, ready to cook for you!
McMinnville Wine + Food Classic Tickets On Sale NOW!
March 13th-15th|| Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT?
Join us at the McMinnville Wine + Food Classic 2026!
Treat your friends, family, or yourself to a weekend of Oregon wine, food, and fun.
With Early Bird Pricing, it’s the perfect time to give a gift that feels thoughtful and delicious. Score your discounted ticket before December 31, 2025. Includes VIP tickets.
Use discount code EARLYBIRD for 30% off tickets!
Why it makes a great gift:
- A full weekend of wine, food & local artisans across both Evergreen Aviation & Space Museums.
- Choose Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or join us as a VIP all weekend long
- A great way to keep the good vibes going after the holidays
- Wrapped in memories, not paper
Give a gift that’s easy, meaningful, and guaranteed to make someone smile. Use code EARLYBIRD at checkout for 30% off tickets and join us for an unforgettable weekend!
Recipes
Recipes to look for this month on our website:
Ciambelline al Vino Rosso
(Italian Red Wine Cookies!)
Featured + Charitable Giving Wine
We’re appreciative of your ongoing support with our Wine Releases paired with our Charitable Giving Wine program! For over two years now, each month we have successfully raised funds to support our local nonprofit organizations while showing off our featured wines!
Featured December organization: Soroptimist International of McMinnville
“Soroptimists are dedicated to transforming the lives of women and girls through access to education. The name Soroptimist means “best for women,” and that’s exactly what we strive to achieve.
Through our initiatives our members work to empower women to be their very best, creating ripples of change in local communities and across the globe. We are part of an international organization of nearly 95,000 members in 120 countries, advocating for women’s rights, health, and education. With our global motto, “A Global Voice… A Global Vision,” we believe that uniting voices across borders leads to real change.”
Featured December wine: 2021 Miscela Reserva
Profile notes: Aromas of violets, cherry, black currants and spice; flavors of raspberry, plum and dark berries with an undercurrent of earthiness.
Available: At both tasting rooms and online
Cost: $59/ bottle — $20/ glass pour
How you can support:
- Visit the Tasting Rooms or purchase online all month long
- Purchase Bottles: 10% of the featured wine will be donated
- Glass Pours: $1 per glass pour will be donated
- Taste the 2021 Miscela Reserva before you buy on our wine flights all month long!
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
Gems of Southeast Europe
November 9-16, 2025 | 7-night river cruise | AmaBella
Join us as we once again set sail with AmaWaterways. In November 2026 Chris will be wine host for the “Gems of Southeast Europe” cruise! The cruise includes 7 nights on the river with an optional 2-night stay in Vienna beforehand, and optional 2 nights Bucharest or 3-night stay in Istanbul afterward.
Please reach out to Nicole Zima (nicole@sailawaygrouptravel.com) for more information or to book your room.
CITIES & SIGHTS
BUDAPEST -> MOHÁCS -> VUKOVAR -> BELGRADE -> SCENIC CRUISING THROUGH THE IRON GATES-> VIDIN -> ROUSSE-> GIURGIU
YOUR JOURNEY ALONG THE DANUBE RIVER
Touch history in Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, as you sail along the exotic lower Danube. Celtic fortifications, medieval towns and grand cities, along with the natural beauty of pastoral landscapes and the Danube’s famed Iron Gates, showcase the best of eastern Europe.
Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to bike through Belgrade’s sprawling Kalemegdan Park. Wine connoisseurs will have a chance to taste history from the centuries-old wine-growing hills dating back to the Romans in Croatia. Be treated to the flavors, sights, sounds and cultures of this diverse swath of the continent.
EXTRA INCLUDED FEATURES ONLY ON WINE CRUISES
- Special tours and tastings at local wineries and private cellars
- Learn about winemaking in renowned vineyards
- Onboard wine pairings with award-winning cuisine
- Owner, farmer, winemaker for Chris James Cellars, Chris Barnes, will lead tastings and discussions. And, of course, Beth will also be there!
