Be a Winemaker for a Day

Aspiring vintners can try their hand at harvesting grapes alongside vineyard managers during the second annual North Willamette Harvest Trail & Grand Tasting in Willamette Valley, just outside Portland, Ore., on Oct. 6.

Wannabe vintners visit three wineries and learn about the winemaking process from vineyard to crush pad to winery. Throughout the day, guests participate in wine tastings and food pairings, and the day is punctuated with a wine country lunch. The day culminates with a grand tasting at Garden Vineyards.

"Most people don’t have the opportunity to help prepare for harvest, but during Harvest Trail guests receive a hands-on wine adventure and can help sort grapes, assist with a punch down, learn about canopy management, and prepare wine barrels," said Juanita Lint, owner of Plum Hill Vineyards and president of the North Willamette Vintners.

Tickets are $79 for the full-day Harvest Trail and the grand tasting. Ticket price includes transportation, a guided tour and harvest activities, lunch, wine tastings, light appetizers, a North Willamette Vintners wine glass, and a canvas tote bag. A $35 ticket for the grand tasting only is also available. It includes a North Willamette Vintners logo glass, wine tastings, light appetizers, and canvas tote bag.

Lauren Mack is the Travel Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @lmack.

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