May 2024

Wine | Events | Updates

Hello, May! We hope you are all well and excited for this spike in temperatures… we sure are!

One reason we love May is because of Oregon Wine Month! As you venture out into the Wine Country for festivities, add Chris James to your itinerary! We’d love to host you.

If you are planning bigger things for summer of next year, consider joining us for a river cruise in Europe! We will be sailing July 14-21, 2025. Mark your calendars for an informational zoom call on Monday, May 13th @ 3pm & 6pm.

Please see the Cruise section below to join in and learn more about the details.

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

Mother’s Day Market @ Erin Hanson Gallery

Saturday, May 11th @ 11:00 AM

The Erin Hanson Gallery is collaborating with local businesses for a special Mother’s Day Market, including a florist, winery, chocolatier, and jeweler. We are proud to partner with wonderful companies to help make it easy for you to find all of the perfect gifts for the Momma(s) in your life, all under one roof!

Wine Tasting + Wine by Chris James Cellars
Chocolates + Chocolate Tastings by Suzy’s Chocolates
Flower Bar by Crowley House Flower Farm
Jewelry Bar by Botanically Inclined
Artwork + Mother’s Day Cards by Erin Hanson
Live Music by Guy Meets Girl

Date & Time:

Saturday, May 11th, 11 am to 5 pm in McMinnville.

LEARN MORE

Mother’s Day Paint & Sip

Sunday, May 12th @ 11:00 am

Celebrate Mom with us as we host Bottle & Bottega at our McMinnville Tasting Room!

Receive step-by-step instructions on how to turn a blank canvas into a memorable work of art. No experience needed.

Ticket price includes a wine flight or glass pour, as well as all painting materials. Additional wine & food will be available for purchase during the event.
Check-in time from 11:00-11:30 am. Painting begins promptly at 11:30 am and goes until 1:30 pm.

Cancellations made between 12 to 48 hours of the event are subject to a credit towards another event. Cancellations made within 12 hours of the event are not subject to a credit, refund or event exchange.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Summer Wine Club BBQ Release Party

Summer is coming fast and it’s almost time for our annual Summer Wine Club Release Party at the Carlton Estate! We’re bringing back the BBQ, so bring your friends and celebrate the warm weather, our fabulous wines, and delicious food! Catered by local chef: Bert’s Chuckwagon.

Cost: $23
Your admission includes your choice of 2 different meats: Chicken or Brisket (or even a bit of both!), Bert’s famous Mac and Cheese and Southwest Corn off-the-Cob, side salads, fruits, chips, rolls, etc. Club member discount applies.

There will be two time slots available each day, choose one at the time of reservation:

Saturday 12-2pm
Saturday 3-5pm
Sunday 12-2pm
Sunday 3-5pm
Each club member may purchase up to 4 tickets. Click below to reserve today.

RESERVE YOUR PARTY

JOIN THE CLUB

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.

May Charity: Homeward Bound Pets

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: 2022 Cuvee Blanc

Profile notes: A blend of 90% Scheurebe, and 10% Huxelrebe. Aromas of ripe pear, orange marmalade, citrus, peach and black currants, with a crisp refreshing finish.
Available: At both tasting rooms and online
Cost: $28 / per bottle, $11 / glass pour

How you can help:

Visit the Tasting Rooms or purchase online all month long
Purchase Bottles: 10% of the 2022 Cuvee Blanc will be donated
Glass Pours: $1 per glass pour will be donated
Taste the 2022 Cuvee 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.

Zoom Call Times:

3pm PDT/6pm EDT: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMlc-2opzsjG9Y2yxjlRTPsaNg3KNvOGSsO
6pm PDT /9pm EDT: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlf-CorzosH9L1JdXDq5kDIw4B1Y4P_erH

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.