June 2025
Summer in Wine Country!
Summer is just around the corner in wine country!
Here at Chris James Cellars the promise of summer has us buzzing with excitement! From the vines soaking up the early summer sun, to the clink of glasses echoing on our gorgeous patio, it’s going to be a fun summer season.
Whether you’re a longtime friend or a curious newcomer, we’ve got some delicious award-winning wines to share with you that pair perfectly with warm breezes and good times.
Come join us up at the Carlton Estate for the weekends and enjoy the patio and the sweeping views of the vineyard and the coast range.
Carlton is open Fri-Sun: 12pm-5pm
Or visit us at our downtown McMinnville Tasting Room for a day of strolling the shops and sipping some wines on the patio.
McMinnville is open 7 days a week.
Sun-Thurs: 12pm-7pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm-8pm
We look forward to celebrating summer with you!
Wine Club Members- Save the Date!
The Summer Wine Club BBQ Party is coming!
When: June 28th and 29th
Where: The Estate Tasting Room
Summer is coming fast and it’s almost time for our annual Summer Wine Club Release Party BBQ out at the Carlton Estate! Bring your friends and celebrate the warm weather, our fabulous wines, and delicious food! Catered by the local legend: Bert’s Chuckwagon.
Included in the price is your choice of 2 different meats: Chicken or Brisket (or even a bit of both!), Bert’s famous Mac and Cheese and Potato Salad. As well as side salads, fruits, chips, rolls, and more! Club member discount applies!
There will be two time slots available each day:
- Saturday 12-2pm
- Saturday 3-5pm
- Sunday 12-2pm
- Sunday 3-5pm
Just pick which day, and time, that works best for you and make your reservation soon! Each club member may purchase up to 4 tickets.
Reservation information coming soon! Mark your calendars now!
Not a wine club Member? Here’s how to join!
FEATURED EVENTS
Taste of Mac 2025
Saturday, June 14th, 11:30am-5pm || Downtown McMinnville
Chris James Cellars is excited to be a part of the 3rd annual Taste of Mac.
Taste of Mac is a wonderful event put on by the McMinnville Lion’s Club, all centered around historic downtown McMinnville. Experience everything great about Third Street in a single day, flitting from shop to restaurant to pub to winery. Every participating business will give you a sip of one of their vintages, a taste of something on their menu, or a small trinket for you to enjoy.
Tickets are available now!
The 12th Annual DRINK PINK!
Saturday July 26th, 12pm-4pm || Stoller Family Estate
Join us for the 12th Annual Drink Pink Rosé Festival at the amazing Stoller Family Estate! Prepare to drink the best Rosés in the valley while enjoying live music, noshing on amazing food and shopping with local craft & food vendors!
Don’t forget to dress up in your best pink outfit for our annual ‘Best Dressed Competition’! Whether its a subtle hint of pink, a beautiful pink dress or an outrageous display of all that is pink, Think like Barbie,
“Pink, goes with everything
Beautiful from head to toe
I’m read’ to go, you know, you know
It’s pink
Good enough to drink”
To top it off, we are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with With Courage again, a local non-profit that supports families in Yamhill County who have been impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis. They offer care packages, online and in person support as well as financial assistance. View below for ways to support With Courage while at Drink Pink!
Tickets available now!
Recipes
Recipes to look for this month on our website:
Berry-Muscat Wine Goblets
A refreshing gelatin desert with fruit and Black Muscat wine!
Charitable Giving Wine
We’re appreciative of your ongoing support with our Wine Releases paired with our Charitable Giving Wine program! For over a year now, each month we have successfully raised funds to support our local nonprofit organizations while showing off our featured wines!
Featured June organization: Basic Rights Oregon
“Our mission is to ensure that all LGBTQ2SIA+ Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories.”
Featured June wine: 2023 Black Muscat
Profile notes: Aromas of roses and cherries, with flavors of strawberries, tart raspberries, and a fresh acidity on the palate.
Available: At both tasting rooms and online
Cost: $30/ bottle — $11/ glass pour
How you can support:
- Taste the 2023 Black Muscat before you buy on our wine flights all month long!
- 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
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
MONTHLY EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month!
6:30pm-8:30pm || McMinnville Tasting Room
Gather your team and come join us for a fun evening. Test your knowledge and enjoy a glass of wine.
Trivia night is free, but we do require a $10 minimum purchase of wine or food.
Register your team today!
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.
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
• A wine host will lead tastings and discussions
