November 2025
Thankful for the Season
Harvest has wrapped up for another year, and we are already excited for the 2025 vintage!
We will have some of your old favorites like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Dolcetto, but we will also have our first estate Albarino, Cab Franc, Syrah, Schioppetino, Barbera, and Nebbiolo! It is hard to wait on those reds that will be in barrel for 18 months! 
As we turn our attention to the Holiday Season, with Thanksgiving coming up, we’re especially thankful for our loyal friends, customers, and wine club members who make each season so rewarding.
Before winter sets in we invite you to visit and raise a glass with us at the Estate! The Carlton Estate will be closing at the end of the month for the winter season, and we’d love to celebrate the close of harvest with you.
The Carlton Estate is open Fri-Sun: 12pm-5pm until the end of November.
You can always visit us at our downtown McMinnville Tasting Room for a day of strolling the shops and sipping some wines on these rainy fall days.
McMinnville is open 7 days a week.
Sun-Thurs: 12pm-6pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm-8pm
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
THE RETURN OF THE BIG BOLD RED WINE TOUR! (CLUB ONLY)
October 1st – November 30th || Both Tasting Rooms (and other participating wineries)
Chris James Cellars is participating in the 2025 Big Bold Red Wine Tour!
This is a great opportunity for our Club Members to try the big red wines of 20 different wineries in the Willamette Valley for a fantastic price.
- Wine club members can pick up one passport per club membership at the tasting rooms.
- $10 tasting fee for passport holders at each winery involved. (Limit 1 discounted tasting per winery)
- Bottle/case discounts for passport holders
- Purchase a bottle of wine to earn a stamp at each winery.
- Collect 8 or more stamps to enter to wine a sippable prize.
- Submit your completed passport at any participating winery by December 10th to be eligible to win.
- Winners will be announced in December.
- Visit the tasting room to pick up your Passport any time during the length of the tour.
Get your tickets soon, before they sell out!
Not a wine club member? Visit us at either tasting room, or online, to find out more about our customizable wine club memberships.
Hillsboro Sip & Shop
Saturday November 8th. 3pm-7pm || Downtown Hillsboro
Experience the vibrancy of Historic Downtown Hillsboro during the holidays with us! Chris James Cellars will be participating in the 5th Annual 2025 Hillsboro Downtown Sip & Shop. We will be located at Merrill Gardens this year.
Get your passport to retail therapy at over a dozen merchants, to meet and greet up to 14 wineries and more perks in historic downtown Hillsboro.
Your passport includes:
Complimentary tastings
Reusable shopping bag filled with merchant swag + promos
A logo wine glass (while supplies last)
We look forward to seeing you there!
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!
Recipes
Recipes to look for this month on our website:
Simple Dolcetto Mulled Wine
(Great for those chilly winter nights!)
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 October organization: The Pulmonary Hypertension Association
“PH is a rare disease and an umbrella term used to describe a group of complex, potentially fatal lung conditions; it’s characterized by high blood pressure in the vessels of the lungs and can lead to right heart failure. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain. Currently, there is no cure for PH.
PHA was selected because Beth (owner) was diagnosed with PH shortly after having their son, Jensen, in 2012. Beth is now considered a “long-term survivor” and she is doing well.”
Featured November wine: 2020 Dolcetto
Profile notes: Aromas of ripe cherries and earthy notes of under ripe raspberries with hints of violets and spice. The flavors mimic the nose with a soft peppery finish.
Available: At both tasting rooms and online
Cost: $42/ bottle — $15/ 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 2020 Dolcetto 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!
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!
