Author Archives: Emily Grosvenor

Want a tiny trip with big impact? These are my favorite quick drives to awaken the wanderer’s spirit and get the lay of the land around McMinnville. The Red Hills Loop (The Dundee Hills AVA) You will know the Dundee Hills by their swiftly rising island of red volcanic soils, just 28 miles southwest ofContinue reading “Three quick, gorgeous drives around Oregon Pinot noir country”

Baths solve everything, but you don’t need a tub. If you’re traveling to McMinnville, think about weaving in a little forest bathing, a new/old practice that might be the perfect add-on for any trip to the area. Forest BathingJust what is forest bathing? It is both as old as time – people have always livedContinue reading “These places for forest bathing near McMinnville are perfection.”

Sometimes you just want the perfect picture for your Instagram feed so you can spend the rest of your time just living your best life. Check out these sweet backdrops in Oregon’s coolest historic small town Main Street for an easy photo op. Then you can get back to doing what you do best: ActualContinue reading “Snap these Insta-friendly backdrops on your next trip to #McMinnvilleOR”

Wine is a full-body pleasure, in the making as well as consuming. You can learn and experience a ton by visiting these artists and learning from their approach to a product that engages all the senses. Sight: Patrick Reuter of Dominio IV Winemaker Patrick Reuter was a senior studying at the University of Oregon theContinue reading “The five winemaker sensualists of Oregon Wine Country (and one who has the sixth sense!)”

Right on the heels of a case I had closed like Forever 21 I got a hot tip about a place out northeast of McMinnville that has tongue’s wagging and wine lovers up in a tizzy. They call it Stoller Family Estate. I’ve read in the local rags that it’s been raining awards over there. Best TastingContinue reading “The Wine Country Detective investigates why Stoller keeps winning all of these awards”

The Tiny Travelers love to tell people where to go and what to do. But this month’s adventure takes on a particular sense of urgency. In this month of Thanksgiving, there might not be anything more meaningful in travel than to take a group of your family or friends to the Chachalu Museum and Cultural CenterContinue reading “Drop everything and go to the Chachalu Museum”

Every year, the tiny travelers seek out great gifts you can buy locally this holiday season, presents your loved ones can’t help but sing about.  On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… 🎵 Twelve Cases AgingTake your pick from among 20 downtown tasting rooms, or pick one from each and take aContinue reading “12 Days of Christmas Holiday Gift Guide”

When chef Jesse Kinchloe wants to show some love to his wife and business partner, Erica, he knows just what is on the menu: hand-rolled gnocchi. They know more than a little something about romance and food, being the visionaries behind Valley Commissary, one of Willamette Valley’s must-visit restaurants. “The ingredients or “stars” of a dishContinue reading “Romance is on the menu”

Here’s a fact about DIY personal retreats: You don’t need much more than a place with a desk, a bed, and a way to get food. But what about what you might want? If we are talking about a slower pace, time for creativity, access to great food, and elevated particulars, McMinnville earns a lot of checks onContinue reading “A Personal Retreat to Check all the Boxes”

I say it every time I meet someone new in this small wine country town with a name that sounds like it’s from a different century: There are only five people to meet in McMinnville. I say five people not to minimize the contributions of the thousands that live here but to show the impactContinue reading “The Five People You Meet in McMinnville”