September 2025
September 2025
🍂Fall-ing for Fantastic Wine
As the hot summer days start to fade into crisp evenings of early fall, there’s no better time to visit us at Chris James Cellars.
September heralds in the beginning of harvest season, and we’re excited to share that magical time with you! The weather is still pleasant, which means its prime for visiting us up at the Estate Tasting Room to enjoying our award-winning wines on the patio as you take in the views.
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 patio.
McMinnville is open 7 days a week.
Sun-Thurs: 12pm-7pm
Fri-Sat: 12pm-8pm
FEATURED EVENTS
Last Chance to Get Tickets to the Seventh Annual Stargazing Party!
Seventh Annual Stargazing Party
September 6th, 2025, 7pm-9pm
Estate Tasting Room – Carlton
We are so pleased to announce that Chris James Cellars is partnering with The Carlton Observatory Project for our seventh annual Stargazing Party at the Estate. Wine, Food, and the Cosmos!
We will be offering small bites paired with our wines.
Relax and enjoy an evening snack and drink before making your way to the top of the hill for star gazing using the telescopes brought out by the Carlton Observatory Project team.
A portion of the proceeds will go to support this wonderful non-profit to share the wonders of astronomy across generations.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!
Get your tickets soon, before they sell out!
Recipes
Recipes to look for this month on our website:
Chicken with Apples and Chardonnay
(The perfect combination to welcome in Autumn!)
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 September organization: Carlton Observatory Project
“The Carlton Observatory Project started in 2017 as an abstract aspiration, hatched by a desire to place a valuable scientific asset in our rural Yamhill county as a resource to cultivate broad community connections and encourage creative scientific exploration. As we rolled out our most impressive assets, our telescopes and the engaged minds behind them, we quickly discovered how eager our local (and even regional!) community is to form a like-minded curiosity with the night sky and all the information it holds.”
Featured September wine: 2024 Sparkling Chardonnay
Profile notes: Aromas of green apple, Bosc pear, with hints of white peach and citrus. The mouth feel is slightly creamy with crispness on the finish.
Available: At both tasting rooms and online
Cost: $35/ 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 2024 Sparkling Chardonnay 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!
