IPNC: The Global Pinot Noir Gathering

Every last weekend of July, McMinnville hosts 700+ Pinot Noir obsessives from around the world for the International Pinot Noir Celebration. Started in 1987, it's now the world's premier gathering for the grape - three days of tastings, seminars, and dinners with 70+ wineries from Oregon, Burgundy, and beyond.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Secure Full Weekend Pass Wine · Price: very high

   Tickets sell out months in advance - book early.

   Register at ipnc.org in January/February for July tickets (~$1,200-1,500 for full weekend). Includes lodging on Linfield campus, all meals, and access to 70+ wineries. Sell-out is common - join the mailing list for early access.

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2. 2 Explore Downtown McMinnville Before Arrival Adventure · Free

   Scout the festival venue and the town that hosts the world's top Pinot Noir minds.

   Walk downtown McMinnville's Third Street - the historic core where IPNC headquarters and many winery tasting rooms are located. Check out A to Z Wineworks, Willamette Valley Vineyards' tasting room, and the McMinnville Hotel building (built 1890). These are your festival anchor points. GPS: Downtown Third Street, McMinnville, OR 97128. This free exploration helps you navigate festival week and discover where winemakers will be.

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3. 3 Attend the Salmon Bake Adventure · Price: very high

   The Saturday afternoon highlight - winemakers cook salmon for attendees.

   The Salmon Bake happens Saturday afternoon on the Linfield campus lawn. Winemakers from around the world serve their wines while Pacific salmon cooks over alder wood fires. Dress casually - it's a picnic atmosphere with Grand Cru-level wines.

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4. 4 Find the Burgundy Producers Wine · Price: very high · Optional

   Top Burgundy domaines attend - taste the Old World alongside the New.

   Check the producer list before arrival. Burgundy houses like Drouhin, Faiveley, and Dujac often attend. Seek them out and ask to compare their Burgundy wines with Oregon Pinots. This is the conversation the event was made for.

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Insider tips

• Book by February - the event sells out every year

• Stay on campus in the dorms for the full experience (included in ticket)

• The Friday night dinner is themed - past themes include 'Pinot Under the Stars'

• Bring business cards - you'll meet winemakers, collectors, and sommeliers from around the world