March 2025
Spring is in the Air!
We are excited for the arrival of March, with its promise of spring in the air.
The lengthening days are becoming a little bit warmer, and the nights are no longer frosty. This season of change brings renewal and growth, both on the vine and in our daily lives.
Let’s celebrate growth and change as we spring into the season!
The McMinnville Tasting Room has warm indoor setting for these rainy spring days, or if the weather is nice, you can sit out on the heated patio.
Visit our McMinnville Tasting Room any time to enjoy our fine wines while relaxing in the heart of historic downtown McMinnville. Open daily:
– 12 pm – 6 pm Sunday – Thursday
– 12 pm -8 pm Friday – Saturday
(The Estate Tasting Room will open again at the beginning of April!)
Wine Club Members:
Spring Wine Club release is HERE!
Our Spring Wine Club Release Pickup Party will be on March 15th 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. To ensure your spot at this delightful gathering, kindly RSVP by completing the provided survey by 3/10/25.
Please RSVP HERE.
(PLEASE ONLY RSVP IF YOU ARE A CLUB MEMBER)
If you can’t make it to the Pick-up Party, your wine will be available to pick up at the McMinnville Tasting Room starting March 1st.
FEATURED EVENTS
McMinnville Food and Wine Classic
March 7th-9th, 2025 || Evergreen Space Museum Friday: 3 pm – 9 pm
Saturday: 11 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm
Join Chris James Cellars at the McMinnville Wine + Food Classic and help support local children’s education.
The annual McMinnville Wine + Food Classic gathers thousands of people from all over the Pacific Northwest at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in celebration of Oregon wine and food. 2025’s event welcomes returning favorites as well as new producers.
Taste your way through the Evergreen Space Museum and discover some of the best Oregon wine country has to offer at the McMinnville Wine + Food Classic!
All while supporting children’s education!
McMinnville Wine + Food Classic is a nonprofit organization supporting children’s education at St. James School.
This event is 21 and over
Wine on the Water
April 17th. 5:30pm-8pm || The Portland Spirit River Cruise || Portland, OR
Boarding: 5:30 pm
Cruising: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Taste your way through Oregon on a sunset cruise!
Join Chris James Cellars on April 17th at 5:30 pm for Wine on Water, a wine tasting cruise aboard the Portland Spirit where you can taste your way through 15 local wineries, all showcasing their latest vintages, while we cruise the Willamette River.
Tickets include a two-hour sunset cruise, 14 wine tasting tickets and a souvenir wine tasting cup.
Food will be available for purchase.
(Must be 21 and over)
Save $5 per ticket with coupon code “CJC” on Wine on Water | Portland Spirit Cruises and Events or by calling 503-224-3900.
Boarding begins at 5:30pm, and cruise starts at 6pm. Don’t be late.
Recipes
Recipes to look for this month on our website:
Canederli Dumplings
(Italian Alpine dumplings that pair perfectly with our 2021 Rossa Alpino)
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 March organization: Saint Bezzie’s Art Collab
“St. Bezzie’s provides curriculum and supplies for groups to participate in healing through art. We are a mobile Non-Profit facilitating Art Healing workshops, locally in Oregon, and globally by partnering with Mi Casa International in El Salvador.
We also care about our planet so we host art supply swaps in Yamhill County and beyond.”
Featured March wine: 2021 Rosso Alpino
Profile notes: Aromas of black cherry and blackberries with notes of tobacco and earth. The flavors are bright on the palate with medium tannins and notes of tart cherry, raspberry, and baking spice.
Available: At both tasting rooms and online
Cost: $49/ bottle — $17/ 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 Rosso Alpino 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
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
