The northern Willamette Valley is known the world over for its award-winning wines. It is, after all, where we first planted pinot noir in the 1960s. And it is where you'll find hundreds of vineyards, tasting rooms, and bottle shops today-each offering tastes that are lovingly crafted by dedicated vintners who work in harmony with the region's moderate climate, nutrient-rich soils, and extensive growing season.
But that's not all the northern Willamette Valley has to offer. Indeed, set amongst the rolling hillsides and rows of wine grapes, you'll find countless family farms, eateries, markets, and more-many of which are spotlighted along the Yamhill Farm Loop.
Tabula Rasa Farms raises grass-fed beef, pastured pork and pasture-raised laying hens.
The 12-stop farm loop was established as part of the larger Oregon Farm Loop project to showcase not just the area's wineries, but the Willamette Valley's deep roots as an agricultural region through working farms, overnight stays, and more. If you'd like to visit, it's easy to get started: Just download a brochure and map from the official Yamhill Farm Loop website, figure out what sounds fun, and give yourself plenty of time to savor the region's celebrated flavors.
For more, here's a guide to everything you need to know for exploring the Yamhill Farm Loop.
In all, a dozen businesses make up the Yamhill Farm Loop. You can make a weekend out of it and visit as many stops as possible along the loop-or you can pick a handful of spots that sound interesting and work those into your travel plans. If you decide to spend a night or two along the loop, seven of the loop's 12 stops offer overnight accommodations. Just be sure to make reservations, since these farm stays and B&Bs fill up fast-especially in spring and summer.
The Yamhill Farm Loop sits entirely within Yamhill County at the northern edge of the Willamette Valley. Oenophiles will be no stranger to the cozy communities along the loop-including Carlton, Newberg, Dundee, Dayton, Lafayette, Amity, and McMinnville.
Driving east-west along the route takes just more than a half-hour, without stopping; driving from the loop's northern edge in Yamhill to its southern border near Amity, meanwhile, takes just less than 30 minutes. With such a compact loop, it's easy to while away a day along the Yamhill Farm Loop without spending much time in the car.
Eola Crest Cattle, just minutes from downtown McMinnville, offers farm-raised beef, farm fresh eggs and other meats. You can also book a few nights at the Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast and immerse yourself in the farm setting.
Start at Durant at Red Ridge Farms, known for its estate-grown and elegantly crafted pinot noir, rosé, pinot gris, and other varietals-best enjoyed in the winery's tasting room, which boasts views of Cascade peaks, farms, and fields below. Durant also makes its own olive oil, sells locally sourced kitchen products, hosts a plant nursery, and more. Soter Vineyards is another popular stop-and employs sustainable winemaking practices when crafting its pinot noir, chardonnay, and sparkling wines.
Wings and a Prayer Alpacas welcomes visitors to visit with their rare Suri alpacas and Great Pyrenees as herd guardians. You can purchase finished fiber products, like blankets and rugs, in the farm store.
Even if you're not an oenophile, you'll find plenty to love about the Yamhill Farm Loop. If visiting in July or early August, stop by Wayward Winds Lavender; the massive lavender field offers U-pick opportunities, as well as hand-crafted products and food items made with the aromatic purple plant-including lavender lemonade, soda, sno-cones, and more. And all year long, Wings and a Prayer Alpacas welcomes visitors wanting to get up-close and personal with the herd of suri alpacas; visitors can take a class about alpacas, enjoy a walk in the farm's forest with their own furry friend, or stop into an on-site shop to purchase products crafted from alpaca fiber.
Want to take a taste of the Willamette Valley home with you? Stop by Blue Raeven Farmstand, which sells fresh pies (baked daily and featuring farm-grown fruit), as well as baked goods, gifts, local specialty food items, and more. You'll also find farm-fresh hazelnuts, eggs, produce, and more-not to mention seasonal U-pick opportunities-at Bernards Farm, just a quick, 15-minute drive from downtown McMinnville.
With so much to see, we wouldn't blame you for wanting to spend a night along the loop-especially with the lineup of world-class, only-in-the-Willamette-Valley offerings at your disposal. Abbey Road Farm, for instance, sits on a working farm and hosts visitors in three converted grain silos; amenities include locally sourced, seasonally inspired breakfasts, as well as Abbey Road's own tasting room (complete with outdoor fire pits). And if you're traveling with family or a group, consider a stay at the Eola Crest Cattle Farmhouse B&B; the Western-inspired, five-bedroom home sits on a working cattle farm just five minutes from downtown McMinnville. Finally, a stay at Yamhill Vineyards Bed and Breakfast includes a vineyard tour, farm-grown grape juice with breakfast, and tips for making the most of your wine-tasting experience in the heart of Oregon Wine Country.
Stay at Abbey Road's working farm in one of the three (non-working and converted) grain silos and enjoy a farm-sourced breakfast you won't forget by chef duo, the Wilderness Hunters.
