Oregon
Perfecting Pinot: The Art of Wine in Oregon’s Willamette Valley
Program No. 23989RJ
Oregon’s Willamette Valley produces 70% of the state’s wine. Meet local winemakers, learn how to pair wines with food and get an insider’s look into this growing industry.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
6 days
5 nights
12 meals
5B 3L 4D
2
Tasting Class, Barrel Cave Field Trip, Lecture
McMinnville, OR
3
Olive Oil, Wine Tasting, Lecture
McMinnville, OR
4
Raptors in Vineyards, Vineyard Walk, Free Time
McMinnville, OR
5
Wine Production, Winery Dinner
Portland, OR
6
Program Concludes
Portland, OR
At a Glance
While Oregon produces a mere 1% of the nation’s wine, many of its blends have received some of the highest quality ratings in the industry. Journey into the heart of the Willamette Valley to meet local winemakers at their vineyards, visit farms to learn about sustainable agriculture, and sample some of the region’s famous Pinot Noir with experts who share advice on wine pairing. Gain insight into the lives of workers who make these vineyards what they are today, and hear how raptors are often used as an environmentally friendly way to control pests in vineyards. Due to accommodations limitations, single rooms are limited and roommate matching is unavailable for solo travelers.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking over varied terrain at vineyards and farms.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Delight in wine tasting events at local vineyards, visit local farms for a farm-to-table meal, and learn how to pair pinot noir with your favorite foods.
- Discover sustainable alternatives to traditional agriculture practices through a demonstration on falconry.
- Learn about the impacts and contributions of seasonal and migratory workers on the wine industry.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Jeff Peterson
Dr. Jeff Peterson, a professor at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, has lived and worked in much of Latin America. He is a faculty member of the Wine Studies Program through the Evenstad Center for Wine Education and led the founding of Linfield College’s Wine Studies Program, the only wine studies program in the United States to focus on the liberal arts approach to the wine industry. He also founded Vinum Docet, which uses wine as a way to explore history, culture, and food.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Jeff Peterson
View biography
Dr. Jeff Peterson, a professor at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, has lived and worked in much of Latin America. He is a faculty member of the Wine Studies Program through the Evenstad Center for Wine Education and led the founding of Linfield College’s Wine Studies Program, the only wine studies program in the United States to focus on the liberal arts approach to the wine industry. He also founded Vinum Docet, which uses wine as a way to explore history, culture, and food.
Toni Ketrenos
View biography
Toni Ketrenos teaches in the Wine Studies Department at Linfield College in Oregon. Prior to joining the faculty in 2020, she worked in nearly all tiers of the wine industry, including production, distribution, and retail. She earned her diploma in wines from the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (WSET) and Certified Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators, as well as other regional certifications. In addition to wine, Ketrenos loves to travel, kayak, sew, and hike with her son and Australian Shepherd, Azzi.