Fall Things to Do Around Dundee, Oregon

Discover Autumn Magic in Oregon Wine Country: Sip Your Way Through Harvest Season

Fall transforms the Dundee Hills into a wine lover's paradise, with vineyards bustling with harvest activity and leaves turning brilliant shades of gold. September brings grape harvest in full swing, while October sees winemakers processing freshly harvested grapes and the new vintage taking shape. The rolling hills become a patchwork of amber and rust, creating the perfect backdrop for wine tasting adventures.

Expect picture-perfect weather with clear skies—mid-70s in September, low-60s in October, and low-50s in November. Layer up and spend your days exploring world-class tasting rooms, many offering harvest parties, outdoor concerts, and vineyard hikes led by winemakers themselves. Whether you're drawn to the sparkling wines at Argyle Winery or the elegant Pinot Noirs that made this region famous, every sip tells the story of this exceptional terroir.

Pick Pumpkins and Explore Local Farms

Head just a short drive to Sherwood and discover Red Berry Barn's Fall Harvest Festival, where you'll find 15 different varieties of pumpkins—from tiny gourds to massive beauties that need two people to carry. The festival runs from September 21st through October 31st and includes bounce pads, tube slides, corn mazes, and hayrides. Don't leave without sampling their famous pumpkin donuts and fresh apple cider.

Closer to Dundee, visit Draper Farms in McMinnville (@draperfarms on Instagram), where the pumpkins that grace local bakery counters are grown with care. These local farms embody the agricultural heritage that makes Oregon's wine country so special—places where you can still feel connected to the land and the seasons.

Chase the Fall Foliage

The Dundee Hills' temperate climate creates spectacular fall color, especially throughout September and October when vineyard leaves transition from green to electric yellow and gold. Take a scenic drive along the winding country roads, where every turn reveals another postcard-worthy vista of vine-covered hillsides against a backdrop of distant mountains.

The misty mornings add an ethereal quality to the landscape, while crisp afternoons are perfect for outdoor exploration. Many wineries offer hiking trails through their properties, giving you an up-close view of the vines as they prepare for winter dormancy. It's a quieter, more contemplative season—when the summer crowds have thinned and you can truly appreciate the beauty of Oregon's wine country at its most colorful.

Celebrate Olio Nuovo at Durant Vineyards

November brings a uniquely Oregon celebration to the Dundee Hills—Durant's annual Olio Nuovo Festival, a month-long olive harvest celebration with Italian roots and Oregon flair. Durant is home to Oregon's only commercial olive mill, and each November they invite visitors to taste the season's freshly pressed extra virgin olive oil while touring the mill to see the entire process firsthand.

The festival includes signature events like Feast Olio—an elevated 7-course olive oil-centric Italian supper with wine pairings—and Oeno & Olio, a communal tasting featuring Durant's estate wines alongside their award-winning olive oils with fresh bruschetta. Weekends feature a heated Food & Wine Pavilion with live music, Italian offerings from local restaurants, and Arbequina olive oil ice cream from Salt & Straw. The Holiday Marketplace showcases local artists, makers, and fine food producers, making it the perfect place to start your holiday shopping while sipping sparkling wine and sampling liquid gold.

Create Lasting Memories

What makes fall special in Dundee isn't just the wine or the scenery—it's the feeling of being somewhere authentic, where agriculture and community still matter. It's farmers' markets brimming with heirloom squash and late-season berries. It's tasting rooms where the winemaker might pour your flight and tell you about this year's harvest. It's pumpkin patches where families have been coming for generations.

Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or a day trip, autumn in Dundee offers the perfect blend of sophistication and down-home charm. So grab your favorite sweater, pack your camera, and come experience why fall is the most magical season in Oregon wine country.