Shafer Vineyard Cellars

Do you need to pick up some European glass Christmas ornaments with your pinot noir?

Welcome to one of the most unusual wineries in Oregon, where visitors can experience a collection of northern Willamette estate wines along with a Christmas shop that would make Costco envious. Here, WineTrail trekkers can answer that age-old question: Does riesling pair with German nutcrackers?

Owners Harvey and Miki Shafer planted their vineyards in the foothills of Gales Creek Valley, west of Forest Grove, in 1973. Their goal was simple — to grow grapes. However, within a few years, that goal morphed when Harvey began making wine from their estate fruit. Friends and neighbors encouraged them to produce wine. That was 1978. Now as Harvey works the vineyard, he’s producing pinot noir, pinot gris, chardonnay, fumé blanc, riesling, Müller-Thurgau, gewürztraminer, and dessert wines from their 70-acre property. WineTrail visitors can experience their complimentary wines and then purchase a bottle without breaking the bank. For example, a bottle of their pinot gris sells for around $15. Even their pinot noir reserve won’t dent your wallet, selling for $28. The tasting room, and Miki’s Christmas Shop, is decidedly Northwest in look and feel. Made of cedar, it makes a relaxed setting to chat with Miki and enjoy fine wines.

If you do snap up a bottle of their estate wine, you might want to check out their über picnic ground. In the midst of vineyards and stately oaks, the 2-acre picnic ground offers a great place to unwind. Let the kids run around the gazebo, admire your just purchased Christmas ornament, and uncork a bottle of Shafer Vineyard Cellars’ Miki’s Blush (assuming it isn’t sold out). Prost!