Getting to Wine Country: Transportation Options for Your Willamette Valley, Oregon Wine Adventure
We polled our guests and members and asked what the biggest challenge you face when planning a day of wine tasting. We were not surprised to discover that the number one concern when visiting wine country is transportation! Safely navigating the beautiful winding roads of Oregon wine country doesn’t necessarily go hand-in-hand with the consumption of world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Because we always want to ensure our visitors stay safe, we’ve outlined some clutch options below.
We know planning is not everyone’s cup of tea. Our wine club members enjoy full concierge services that take the stress away from planning and ensure a perfect experience every time. Check out our members page to learn more about the exclusive benefits of becoming an Artist Block member.
1. Dryver: Your Personal Driver
Dryver.com offers a unique service where you can hire a professional driver to chauffeur you in your own car! We’d never heard of this option until a friend of ours told us about it recently, she said the experience was seamless and felt safe. This is a budget-friendly way to enjoy your wine-tasting day without worrying about driving yourself back home. Simply book a driver through their website, and they’ll take care of the rest. This service starts at just $35 an hour! This can be cost effective for smaller groups and is from the comfort of your own vehicle.
2. Uber: Potential Convenience at Your Fingertips
Uber is an easy option for short rides between tasting rooms or from your lodging to our tasting room at Artist Block, but we can’t honestly speak to its accessibility during peak times. Wine country is always at its busiest on Saturdays from June through September, so if you’re going to use Uber do keep that in mind. It’s easy to use, simply download and open the app, create a profile, enter your destination, and enjoy the ride. Pro Tip: Keep in mind that because uber isn’t a sure bet, we would recommend this for a day of flexible tasting without pre-set reservation times, just in case.
3. Designated Driver (DD): A Fun Group Option
Hands down, the easiest and most economical option is to bring a friend along who doesn’t mind being the designated driver. Just because they are driving doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the tasting experience, that’s what those spittoons are on the table for! Many wineries, including Artist Block, provide spit cups so that your DD can still partake in the unique flavors of Oregon wines without the effects of alcohol. Believe it or not, some tasting rooms offer Non-alcoholic options, such as the “Clarity Tasting Flight” at Artist Block, featuring several non-alcoholic wines and aperitifs.
4. Private Drivers: Sit Back and Relax
If you want to elevate your wine country experience, hiring a private driver is a fantastic option. Here are four local services we recommend:
Pinot Pursuit: Tailored wine tours with knowledgeable guides who know Dundee’s hidden gems.
Main Street Drivers: Affordable and professional chauffeurs who drive your vehicle or theirs.
NW Wine Shuttle: Convenient hop-on, hop-off service that covers many of the top Dundee wineries.
Pinot Car: Luxury transportation with a focus on personalized service.
Each of these options offers flexibility and the chance to truly enjoy your day without worrying about logistics. While this might seem expensive, these private drivers start at $95 a day and are an excellent option for the comfort, ease, elevated experience with a guide, and safety it can bring.
5. Stay Overnight: Rest and Recharge
Another great way to simplify your wine country adventure is by staying overnight at a local lodging. Many accommodations are located just minutes from the best wineries in Dundee, offering both convenience and charm.
Here are of our favorite options:
The Black Walnut Inn: A luxurious boutique inn nestled in the Dundee Hills with stunning vineyard views.
The Atticus Hotel: A chic, locally-inspired hotel in nearby McMinnville with a great restaurant and walkable to downtownW.
The Allison Inn & Spa: A world-class retreat with elegant rooms, an amazing restaurant, and a serene spa experience.
The Willamette Valley B&B: A lovely little gem that is family owned and operated, featuring soaking tubs in every room and a home cooked breakfast each morning.
Staying overnight allows you to fully enjoy your wine-tasting experience without worrying about driving or rushing home.
Plan Your Perfect Wine Country Trip
At Artist Block, we’re all about creating memorable experiences for our guests. Whether you’re coming for our cult-classic Film Foodie Fridays or simply to enjoy an inspiring wine flight in an inspiring environment with friends, getting here should be part of the fun. Explore these transportation options and make your wine country visit is as easy as opening a screw top wine.