October 2025
October 2025
No Tricks, Only Treats. 
October is here, and with it comes the magical, and busy, harvest season! The vineyard is filled with activity as we bring in the fruits of a long sun-soaked summer.
While we’re hard at work crafting the next vintage, we know you’re gearing up for a month of cozy gatherings and maybe even some spooky festive fun.
Whether you’re hosting a Halloween soiree or simply enjoying the fall colors with friends and family, make sure your seasonal events are stocked up with the perfect pours.
From bold reds, sparkling rosés, and crisp whites, we’ve got just the bottles to enchant your palette. No tricks here, only treats!
The Carlton Estate 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 heated patio.
McMinnville is open 7 days a week.
Sun-Thurs: 12pm-6pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm-8pm
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.
A Taste of Place at the Erin Hanson Gallery
Saturday, October 18th. 1-5pm || The Erin Hanson Gallery || McMinnville
Join local artisans, each with their own type of canvas, at the Erin Hanson Gallery for an afternoon of great art and local goodness!
Chris James Cellars, Journey Distilled, and Suzy’s Chocolates will be featured at the Erin Hanson Gallery. Guests will enjoy small bites and samples as they roam the gallery.
Wine by the glass and bottles of wine can be purchased.
This is a FREE EVENT!
“Erin Hanson is the creator of the style of painting known as Open Impressionism. She creates vibrant and expressive landscape art with oil paint and brush. Her unique approach to oil painting has gained her millions of followers and thousands of collectors worldwide.”
Recipes
Recipes to look for this month on our website:
Basil Panna Cotta with Rose Poached Apricots
(A light dessert for a date night, using our Sparkling Rose!)
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: With Courage
““With Courage exists to support families in Yamhill County impacted by breast cancer. Whatever the stage of treatment or survivorship, we’re here to help support and walk through this together.“
With Courage was founded to give support to those battling breast cancer, and their families, that live in the Yamhill County area. When their founder was dealing with her own cancer journey, in 2014, she would often have to drive at least 45 minutes away just for her treatments, and there weren’t any available support groups locally. So, she decided to start one.”
Featured October wine: 2023 Sparkling Rose
Profile notes: Aromas and flavors of fresh strawberries and cherries; with a crisp, acid driven finish.
Available: At both tasting rooms and online
Cost: $34/ bottle — $12/ 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 2023 Sparkling Rose 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!
