A Perfect French-Inspired Day in the Willamette Valley
I was so thrilled to see how much you all loved the Italian day itinerary—so naturally, I had to put together a classic French day just for you!
If you’re new here, you might not know that the Willamette Valley is renowned for producing beautiful Burgundy-style wines—Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in particular, but always with that signature Oregon twist. However, there are several wineries in the valley crafting wines that are even closer to traditional French Burgundy, many of them led by French winemakers. Those are the stars of today’s itinerary.
Planning a classic French-inspired wine tasting day was a breeze—especially since many of the wineries I’ll be highlighting are also on my personal top 10 list. I hope this inspires you to create your own version of a French wine day and follow along as this fun series continues!
Morning: French Pastries & Coffee
Start your day by heading out to wine country at least an hour before your first tasting. Trust me—you don’t want to miss the incredible French-style bakeries scattered throughout the valley. My personal favorites are Carlton Bakery in Carlton, Oregon, and Tous Les Jours in Hillsboro. Nothing sets the mood for a French day quite like a flaky pain au chocolat paired with a creamy café au lait. C’est parfait!
First Stop: Resonance Wines
Next, head to one of my absolute favorite wineries—Résonance Wines. This is a must-visit for lovers of French wine. Not only do they produce exceptional Burgundian-style wines in Oregon under the guidance of winemaker Guillaume Large, but they also offer selections from their sister label, Louis Jadot, made by the legendary Jacques Lardière.
Their winemaking philosophy centers around understanding a vineyard’s terroir and applying minimal intervention in the winery—classic French elegance with Oregon roots. We happened to visit on Bastille Day, and it was a dream: live music, artisanal cheese pairings from both their Oregon and French labels, and stunning 270° views of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Be sure to book ahead and check out their special events during the summer months!
Midday: French Picnic at Artist Block
Our next stop was a whimsical French picnic at Artist Block, and wow—what a gem! This spot is ideal for a day date or a girls’ day out. Their newly released sparkling wines are made using the traditional Champagne method (yes, please!), and their art gallery-meets-winery setting is just magical.
You can book a full French picnic in the vineyard all summer long. And don’t miss Andy Warhol—the sweetest winery cat who might just join you for your lunch! Want to impress your friends? Join the A-List and learn how to saber a bottle of bubbles. It’s as fun as it sounds—and yes, it’s as Instagrammable as you’re imagining.
Some of my other favorite French Classics can be found in these 5 wineries. We may not have had time to make it happen on this day, but I’ve been a handful of times and they are still on the top of my Favorites List.
- Nicholas Jay- https://www.nicolas-jay.com. One of those Premium style wineries that’s worth every penny to visit!
- Bergstrom Wines- https://bergstromwines.com. Here you will find some insanely incredible Burgundian style Pinots, with one of the Best Chardonnays I’ve ever had. Their immersive food and wine pairing experience will blow your mind!
- Flaneur Winery- https://www.flaneurwines.com. This is a really cool spot I’ve loved for the last 5 years and they continue to amaze me.
- Domaine Divio- https://domainedivio.com. All I have to say is I took my French friends here last year to meet the wine maker Bruno, and they have fallen in love so much that they still carry their wines at their restaurant in Portland.
- And of course a true French classic- Domaine Drouhin- https://domainedrouhin.com.
Founded by the Drouhin family of Burgundy, this winery embodies a seamless blend of Old World elegance and New World winemaking techniques, particularly with their Pinot Noir.
So whether you decide to do a day or a whole weekend trip, there are plenty of French inspired wineries and wine makers that make Willamette Valley the perfect destination for some classic Burgundian wines.
Optional Stop: Cheese at Briar Rose Creamery
Before heading back to town, swing by Briar Rose Creamery, just around the corner from Artist Block. Their cheeses are absolutely divine and will complete your French-themed day in the most delicious way. After all, is it really a French day without cheese? I think not.
Dinner: Classic French Cuisine at Bergerac
To wrap up your day, treat yourself to an authentic French dinner at Bergerac, a cozy bistro tucked away in SE Woodstock, Portland. Owned by dear friends from Bergerac, France, this spot offers warm hospitality and unforgettable flavors. They specialize in classic French comfort food and are especially known for their coursed dinners—my favorite is the seasonal mushroom dinner, which happens twice a year.
Stay up to date on their events and offerings by following them on social media or visiting their website: bergeracpdx.com.
Every spot mentioned here has been personally visited (multiple times!) and has never disappointed. I truly hope you get to explore them yourself and share the experience with friends. If you loved this blog post, give it a like, share it with a fellow wine lover, and drop a comment to let me know what you’d love to see next in this series!
Santé, and happy sipping! 🍷🥐
The Whole Wine Yards 