
March 2024
Wine | Events | Cruise Updates
Thanks to all who joined us this past couple of weekends at the festivals! We are looking forward to a week ahead of brighter weather, so stop in to see us at the Tasting Room!
For those who are either going on our 2025 Wine Cruise, or thinking about it, we’ll be hosting a Zoom Session about all the info! See below for more 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 🍷
CLUB MEMBERS

RSVP | Spring Wine Club Pick-Up Party
March 16th | Club Members Only
Wine Club Members join us for a delightful Spring Pick-up Party on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 12-6 pm at The Erin Hanson Gallery.
Indulge in the joy of wine, snacks, and music by Steve Hale with your fellow club members with the option to extend the invite up to 3 additional guests per member.
To reserve your spot at this delightful gathering, kindly RSVP by clicking the button below and following the Register/RSVP button, by 3/13.
Let’s raise a toast to good company, fine wines, and the shared passion for the art of winemaking. We’re looking forward to celebrating with you!
FEATURED EVENTS

After Hours: GSM | Guided Group Tasting
Wednesday, April 19th | 6:30 pm
We’re back for another ‘Afterhours’ event at our McMinnville location! The theme for this event: GSM, and its 3 varietal counterparts that make up GSM:
- 2020 Grenache
- 2020 Syrah
- 2020 Mourvèdre
After Hours is a guided tasting in a group setting with a different theme for each event, led by Kris, our in-house Sommelier and Tasting Room manager. She will walk you through each component of GSM: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre’s tasting notes, their origin, Chris’s winemaking style, etc. |
Accompanying the wines will be hearty appetizer bites prepared by our neighbor 1882 Grille.

Yamhill-Carlton AVA Spring Tasting
Saturday, April 20 | 6:00 pm
Yamhill-Carlton’s beloved Spring Tasting returns in 2024! On Saturday, April 20th, 40 wineries will gather at Abbey Road Farm for our region’s annual showcase of top Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, sparkling wine, and more. Enjoy catered food from Caballero’s Catering coupled with wines from every winery, all in the lovely open barn at Abbey Road Farm.
Join us in this special corner of the Willamette Valley for an unforgettable day in Oregon wine country.
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.
January Charity: Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition
Their mission is to advocate for people in need by providing access to resources and tools to strengthen communities in Yamhill County.
Featured Wine: 2022 Gewurztraminer
- Profile notes: Floral aromas with a hint of spice and flavors of fresh apricot, white peach, and pear. Extended skin contact (~5 hours) with a cool and extended fermentation.
- Available: At both tasting rooms and online
- Cost: $28/ per bottle
Wine buying through us will contribute donations to support services, education programs, and research initiatives that give hope to those affected by Autism.
How you can help:
- Visit the Tasting Rooms or purchase online all month long
- Purchase Bottles: 10% of the 2020 Carménère will be donated
- Glass Pours: $1 per glass pour will be donated
- Taste the 2022 Gewurztraminer 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!

Wine Bingo
January 1st – March 31st| 2024
We know you love our wine and now is your chance to show it!
From the beginning of January till the end of March every wine you try gets you closer to winning! For our Wine Bingo game you will receive a Bingo card with different wines on it. Each wine you try that’s on the card, be it on the flight or by the glass, gets stamped. Come each week for the new flight and fill up your card!
- 5 stamps in a row gets you a Bingo and entered to win in a drawing for prizes. Cover the entire card with stamps and you get 15 entries to win!!
- Wine tasting bingo ends 3/31/24. Return Bingo cards by 4/15.
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

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





