It probably comes as no surprise that this region is famous for wine, but what if we told you that some of the most memorable parts of your visit might happen between tastings? Think of it as wine country’s secret superpower: the experiences that make every sip feel richer because of what surrounds it. Picture yourself seated at a long harvest table where laughter and candlelight carry into the night, or attending a chef-crafted pairing so spot-on that it makes you pause mid-bite. This season, the Willamette Valley isn’t just pouring wine — it’s celebrating, teaching, and dazzling your senses; and Dundee is right at the center of it all.
- Anthology at The Four Graces: Where Food, Wine & Storytelling Meet
One of the current crown-jewel experiences in the Dundee Hills is Anthology at The Four Graces. If you love food that tells a story and wine that mirrors the land, this is the event for you. Imagine: a 14-seat open-kitchen tasting room with sweeping views of the vineyards; three or more courses crafted by chefs Chase Williams and Zack Ehrlich; thoughtful wine pairings led by Sommelier Peter Marcy; and a menu that changes every few months to ensure full advantage of the freshest ingredients.
What makes it stand out:
- Community: this event has communal seating, so you share the meal with fellow wine lovers.
- Seasonal artistry: this food isn’t just decoration, it highlights the very best of Pacific Northwest cuisine.
- The ambiance: Anthology is elevated yet approachable, and exquisitely curated without being pretentious.
When to do it: Anthology offers both 5:30 and 8:30 seatings, Thursday-Sunday evenings.
Note: You must be a member of The Foley Food & Wine Society to attend, but membership is FREE and all you need to do is click on the following link and register: https://www.foleywinesdundeehills.com/anthology.htm
- Anacréon Winery & the Epicure Experience: Private Pairings & Harvest Dinner
If your idea of luxury in wine country includes privately hosted events, cuisine that feels like a crafted poem, and jaw-dropping vineyard views, Anacréon Winery is delivering. The Epicure Experience is a 5-course food and wine pairing using only local ingredients, many of which are estate grown. It’s private, reserved in advance, and encourages you to slow down and taste the textures, terroir, and story behind each bite and sip. This event celebrates Anacréon’s core belief in connection, whether that mean between food & wine, land & table, or host & guest. Check out the website below to make a reservation!
What makes it stand out:
- High level of craft & terroir expression: Anacréon is small-production winery, and the vineyard is both organic and dry-farmed. This results in wines that emphasize the land, microclimate, and soils of the Chehalem Mountains more distinctly.
- Beautiful, intentional space: the tasting house & grounds are designed to highlight the vineyard views and foster a feeling of tranquility and connection. Natural materials, gardens, and sightlines make it more than just a wine tasting, it’s an immersive aesthetic experience.
Note: Dietary restrictions can be accommodated if stated ahead of time, and reservations should be made no later than 72 hours in advance.
- Ambar Estate: Sustainable Pairings & Harvest Events
Ambar Estate is relatively new on many wine-lovers’ radar, but you’d never guess it when visiting. Here are a few of their current & upcoming standout offerings:
- Wine and Food Pairing Experience: Five wines paired with small plates in their luxury hospitality suite. Intimate, curated, and focused on local flavors.
- “The Art of Food and Wine Pairing” Classroom Series: Want to learn why certain wines go with certain foods? Chef Heidi Whitney-Schile leads this immersive afternoon class (scheduled September 21, 2025) at Ambar Estate.
- Ambar’s Vineyard Table Dinner Series: This series consists of evening dinners held amidst the vineyards with celebrated chef-led menus matched specifically to Ambar’s wines. Taste the bounty of PNW cuisine with a beautiful, under-the-stars ambiance.
- Harvest Vineyard Walk and Lunch / Brunch: Throughout harvest season, Ambar offers gentle walks through the vineyards with an added meal, giving you a close-to-ground look at what goes into what you taste.
What makes Ambar stand out:
- Ambar is the first Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard in Willamette Valley, so you’re drinking wine that strives to honor the land it comes from.
- Ambar’s settings are elegant without being overblown, and it’s known throughout the valley for its warm and welcoming hospitality.
- Harvest Season: Festivals, Pairings & Community Energy
Autumn in wine country is all about celebration. Harvest season is when the vineyards are fullest, the air is crisp, and the events feel somehow even more joyful. Events often include festivals, vineyard walks, and evening meals throughout the valley, along with live music performances, local vendors, and countless tastings. These events, however, are often ticketed, so make sure to book your spot in advance and bring layers as dinners frequently take place under the canopy of fall skies. This is the ideal environment to try new vintages and local produce, while diving deep into the connection between land, grape, and plate.
Click here for more details on upcoming wine country events: https://www.willamettevalley.org/experiences
https://thedundee.com/events/month/
- Antica Terra: A Fine Wine & Artful Experience
At Antica Terra, you don’t just taste wine — you live it. Their events are thoughtfully curated to draw you in, not only to the wine, but to the land, season, and people crafting each vintage as well. Here are a few of the experiences you might discover this fall:
- Table in the Trees: Imagine a long, ribbon-like concrete table winding through grand oaks. You’ll enjoy a flight of six Antica Terra wines accompanied by light, seasonal snacks. This is a perfect option for small groups (up to six) who want something serene yet special.
- Harvest Lunches: During harvest, Antica Terra opens up a multi-course, family-style feast, often featuring rare tastings, seasonal vegetables, and local proteins.
- Collective Tasting: If you want something expansive, Antica Terra’s collective tastings cover an array of varietals from Antica Terra, Lillian (one of their sister labels), and occasionally an additional rare or inspirational bottling from around the world. Bites from James Beard award winning chef, Timothy Wastell, elevate the pours, making this a perfect pick for anyone who loves exploring the fringes of wine.
- The Reserve Tasting: For serious enthusiasts, this event offers rare access. Think bottles tucked away in secret corners of the cellar, wines reserved not in the sense of price, but in scarcity and curated craft. Expect thoughtful food pairings, intimate settings, and staff who love nothing more than to answer your questions and dive into details.
Note: Experiences are often by appointment only, and are sometimes even for members only, so make sure to check ahead of time!
When you attend a curated food-and-wine pairings, a harvest celebration, or a dinner tucked into the vines, you unlock something deeper:
- Connection: to the land, to the seasons, and to the people making the wine. When you taste a new vintage, or experience harvest, you understand more of the story behind the bottle.
- Flavor amplified: food and wine in tandem often unlock new notes in both; the right pairing can make your wine shine in a way that a tasting alone might not.
- Memories that stick: under the stars, surrounded by vineyards, and with good company… these moments become the stories you tell later.
- The best time to visit: Harvest season (late summer-early fall) is one of the richest, most beautiful, and most lively times to explore the Willamette Valley, where foliage, weather, new vintages, and winery events all converge.
Practical Tips & Things to Know
- Book ahead: Many of these experiences (Anthology, Epicure, and Ambar for example) require reservations, often 72+ hours ahead of time. If you wait until the last minute, you may miss out.
- Check cancellation & dietary policies: Some are strict about cancellations; some are inflexible on substitutions, but many do accommodate dietary needs (vegan/vegetarian/gluten free) if you let them know in advance.
- Transportation & timing: Plan for travel between wineries (some are close, others farther). If doing multiple events in one day, consider opting for a ride share or taxi.
- Dress for comfort & weather: vineyard evenings can cool quickly and rain is always a possibility, wear shoes that can handle sidewalks, vineyard paths, or wet ground.
Whichever events you attend, just don’t forget to book your room with us at The Dundee Hotel!