Located in Yamhill County, the oldest county in Oregon, McMinnville is often compared to the wine regions of France and Germany. Yamhill County is blessed with a long, moderate growing season which has proved ideal for growing such grapes as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and White Riesling. S ince most wineries have tasting rooms open to the public, a tasting tour is a delightful experience.
Many wineries also have festivals, music performances and picnics during the summer.
In August, McMinnville's Linfield College hosts the International Pinot Noir Festival. This festival celebrates the grape and wines that helped make Oregon famous as a wine producing region. Festival participants bring pinots from Oregon, France, Australia and California for celebrants to sample, along with hors d'oeuvres. Recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Oregon Downtown Development Association as an exemplary business district, the downtown area offers an almost park-like setting. Be sure to get a copy of the self-guided walking tour for the downtown area.