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Exploring the Heart of the Willamette Wine Passport Stops: Summer of 2025
- Sarah Short
- May 20
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 2
The Heart of the Willamette Passport is your golden ticket to exploring some of the most charming wineries in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. For the price a couple of tastings, you get free flights or discounted experiences at locations all over Corvallis, Salem, and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning your journey, these wineries offer a range of experiences that cater to every palate. We’ve taken the time to visit each location, and gathered visitor data from last season, to give honest reviews of each one, including their standout features and what you can expect.
Airlie Winery (Monmouth)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲 (3/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Nestled in the coastal mountain range on the western edge of the Willamette Valley, Airlie Winery is a women-owned and operated establishment in a family-friendly and dog-friendly setting complete with a picnic area and pond, as well as stunning views off the deck. Simple cheese and cracker plates are available and we enjoyed their moderately prices small bottles of bubbles. Much of the seating is covered and there is a cozy tasting room.
Ankeny Vineyard (Salem)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲💲 (4/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Notable Features:
Ankeny Vineyard is located in the southern slopes of the Salem Hills. While there are often kids and dogs visiting with their families, it's not a great location for running around or off-leash. Their pizza is fantastic, but expect crowds in summer. There is abundant covered tent seating, and limited deck seating available by reservation with gorgeous views of the valley. They often have live music on the weekends.
Benedetto Vineyards (Dallas)
Taste: ⭐ (1/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲 (3/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Benedetto Vineyards is a fun destination with food trucks and frequent live music events. The wines were not to our taste, but the friendly service and welcoming vibe more than make up for it. Perfect for a casual wine-tasting experience. Abundant outdoor deck seating, both covered and uncovered. The grassy space felt great for kids and dogs, though we haven't seen on our visits.
Benton-Lane Winery (Monroe)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲💲 (4/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Benton-Lane Winery offers a beautiful location, set back from the road, with plenty of space to ramble. While the expansive vineyards and scenic views make it an attractive spot, tastings can be by reservation only during busy times. Additionally, there’s a corking fee if you want to drink their own wine on-site—something we hadn't encountered before. Their tasty wood-fired pizza events are available monthly by reservation in the summer. There is plenty of grassy space and outdoor seating for guests to enjoy with their dogs, but it felt too upscale for kids.
Broadley Vineyards (Monroe)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐ (1/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Kid-Friendly: No
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲💲 (4/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
A smaller location with limited seating next to a busy road, Broadley Vineyards offers a cozy, rustic tasting room, perfect for an intimate tasting experience. Not a great choice for dogs, kids, or those seeking a relaxing view. They have charcuterie available.
Cardwell Hill Cellars (Philomath)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Price: 💲💲 (2/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Just down the road from Lumos, Cardwell Hill Cellars is a family-run vineyard with beautiful view. Large flocks of wild turkeys are a common sighting. The tasting room is relaxed, and the patio is a perfect spot to sip their award-winning wine while taking in the scenery. I haven't seen dogs or kids there, but it would be a good spot for it. The have packaged cheese and crackers available for snacking.
Compton Family Wines (Philomath)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Price: 💲💲 (2/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Compton Family Wines, formerly known as Spindrift Cellars, has a tasting room located on the busy main road in Philomath, so their outdoor seating was not our favorite. They also offer indoor barrel-room seating, but neither was especially kid or dog-friendly. The host is knowledgeable and friendly.
Fullerton Wines (Corvallis)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
View: ⭐ (1/5)
Kid-Friendly: No
Dog-Friendly: No
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲💲💲(5/5)
Vibes: ⭐ (1/5)
Fullerton Wines is a family-run winery that focuses on producing elegant and balanced wines from sustainably farmed vineyards. Unfortunately, their tasting room is in an unsightly, difficult to find, location behind U-Haul in Corvallis. Their indoor tasting room has limited seating and isn't good for children or dogs. They were priced higher than other wineries on the passport, but that being said, offered some of our favorite wines.
Harris Bridge Vineyard (Philomath)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Food Selection: ⭐ (1/5)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲💲 (4/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Harris Bridge Vineyard specializes in dessert vermouth crafted from Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir grapes. The winery is located along the peaceful and beautiful Harris Creek where guests can stick their toes in while enjoying a unique tasting experience. We rarely see other guests there.
Lumos Wine Company (Philomath)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐ (1/5)
Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (5/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Lumos Wine Company is tucked away in a stunning, off-the-beaten-path location, offering breathtaking views of the valley. The rustic charm of the barn-style tasting room adds to the relaxed, welcoming vibe. Unfortunately, the outhouse bathroom killed that vibe for us. Their wines and tastings were in the high range for the locations on the passport, and their tasting fee required multiple bottle purchases to be waived. They offer charcuterie and allow guests to bring their own food, as well as periodically hosting visiting food trucks. This is a great location for families and dogs, and a great place to showcase to visiting guests.
Namaste Vineyards (Dallas)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲 (/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
A beautiful, restored barn creates ample indoor seating with a fireplace. Outside the glass doors lies a massive deck with breathtaking views of the valley. The deck does tend to be windy. Enjoy a variety of wines and a moderately priced charcuterie before visiting Salt Creek Cider House, just down the road.
Salt Creek Cider House (Dallas)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲 (2/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Salt Creek Cider House is probably the most kid-friendly stop on the passport. In addition to toys, games, and corn hole, they also have a small playground. This family-owned cidery provides generous pours of a range of traditionally-made ciders ranging from dry to sweet. While they typically only offer packaged chips, they often host food trucks and live music in the summer, so check their calendar.
Springhill Cellars Winery (Albany)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲 (3/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Springhill Cellars Winery is a larger, family-owned, commercial winery located in North Albany. There is a rustic barn with indoor seating available, but it's much more pleasant to sit on the lawn with a view of the valley. Their smoky rosé is very popular. Limited charcuterie available.
Stomp by Croft Vineyards (Salem)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲💲 (5/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
While located off a busy road, the tasting room and lawn or situated on a peaceful river and overlook an orchard. This location is always hopping with families and dogs in summer and has our favorite food menu on the passport. Stomp often hosts trivia, live music, and other events. Their tastings are Pinot-heavy, so try one their other flights if that's not to your taste. While there is limited indoor seating, there's an excellent covered, heated deck for year-round sipping, and plenty of picnic tables in the orchard. Members enjoy fun perks such as their river float and private trail.
Third Block Wines (Jefferson)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲 (3/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Third Block Wines is a boutique winery with a variety of reds on offer - a great stop if you want a break from Pinot Noir. The friendly owners enjoy sharing details about the winery. The seating is largely indoors, with a living-room style layout in a large barn-style building.
Valcan Cellars (Corvallis)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Price: 💲💲💲💲 (4/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Valcan Cellars is a small wine bar in downtown Corvallis. Their is a cozy tasting room and limited street seating. They share a building with Old World Deli, and you are welcome to order food while tasting. They offer a variety of reds besides the obligatory Pinto Noir, including Syrah, Tempranillo and Ganache. We like the value of this location compared to the other wine bar in downtown Corvallis.
West Hills Vineyards (Salem)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
View: ⭐ (1/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Kid-Friendly: No
Dog-Friendly: No
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲💲 (4/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
This tasting room is located on a very busy freeway just outside of Salem. Their wine is great and they have an impressive food menu, but we were put off by the loud traffic noise, which made the patio seating unpleasant. Between the road and the formal inside seating, I do not consider this location kid or dog-friendly.
Wetzel Estate Winery (Dallas)
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
View: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Food Selection: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Kid-Friendly: No
Dog-Friendly: No
Bathroom Cleanliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Price: 💲💲💲 (3/5)
Vibes: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Wetzel Estate Winery, formerly known as Chateau Bianca, is a family-owned winery located off the highway outside of Salem. Their outdoor seating amongst the wine equipment is subject to some traffic noise. There is ample indoor seating, however, and they also sell infused grapeseed oils. This is a great stop if you are a fan of extra-buttery Chardonnay.
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