Remy Drankin (Photo by Cheryl Juetten)
STEVEN LINDSEY | Contributing Writer
StevenCraigLindsey@gmail.com
Wine experts encourage people to release the aromas and soften the tannins of wine by swirling it around in the glass. At Queer Wine Fest, however, swirling around the vineyards in a rainbow tutu is equally encouraged.
Few places on earth bring together a sense of community, freedom of expression, unapologetic love and copious amounts of vino quite like this celebration in Dayton, Ore., in the heart of the famed Willamette Valley wine region.
Founded in 2022 by Remy Wines owner and winemaker Remy Drabkin, (while she was also mayor of nearby McMinnville), Queer Wine Fest continues to grow in scope and popularity, drawing visitors far beyond the west coast.
As an out-and-proud queer woman herself, Drabkin recognized the impact of bringing together LGBTQ people and wines from companies that feature queer leadership or ownership or from queer winemakers. Her simple goal: a day of celebrating queer wine and culture, but more importantly, queer joy.
I had the pleasure of attending Queer Wine Fest in 2023, and watching it grow from afar has been delightful.
“At its most basic level, it’s simply gotten bigger: more wineries, more attendees, more activations. But the more important story is about the impact,” Drabkin said. “We went from asking who else in the wine industry was out and queer, to having winemakers reach out to us throughout the year because they want to be part of it.
“Professional networks within the queer wine community have grown and modernized, and most of those relationships simply didn’t exist before Queer Wine Fest, especially across U.S. wine regions.”
From the start, the event Drabkin created was one-of-a-kind in its mission to only feature brands with queer people in positions of importance.
“Now we’re seeing more gatherings of queer winemakers across the country, expanding our community’s visibility and sense of belonging,” she said. “And consumer perceptions have shifted too — not just of queer-made wines, but of who is shaping the future of wine.
“When I first pitched Queer Wine Fest, I met some hesitation and questions. Still, the support we’ve seen in the last four years demonstrates how sorely the community needs events like these and how quickly they are embraced and become part of the cultural fabric,” Drabkin added.
To be included in the lineup of wines poured at the event this on Sunday, June 29, businesses must be queer-owned or have a lead winemaker or lead grower who identifies as queer. From there, each winery submits a list of wines, and Drabkin and her team curate the final lineup to ensure diversity across regions, varietals, and styles.
Each winery pours two wines, so this year, they’ll be featuring 40 selections from 20 wineries.
As a previous attendee, I can confirm it’s worth building a Pacific Northwest vacation around Queer Wine Fest. From the cooler temperatures to the beautiful scenery across the Willemette Valley, it remains one of my favorite destinations of that year. Fly into Portland and it’s a picturesque 90-minute drive from the airport.
“Queer Wine Fest bridges local pride with national reach. We’re deeply connected to our community, so we’re also drawing people from Portland, Seattle, L.A., Denver, NYC — you name it. It’s turned into a true destination event,” Drabkin said.
The event’s host property, The Vintages Trailer Resort (The-Vintages.com) may be one of the quirkiest places we’ve ever stayed, and it’s the perfect fit for a trip to Oregon.
In addition to new wineries from Oregon, California and Washington, Queer Wine Fest has expanded the festival experience itself, now directly supporting about 30 queer-led businesses and artists.
“This year, all of our featured artists are performers. Last year, we featured queer-made visual art displays in addition to the walk-around tasting, but this year, you can expect aerialists in the vineyard alongside live music and DJ sets,” Drabkin said. “Nonprofits will also have a bigger presence.”
Because Queer Wine Fest is a fundraiser for local nonprofit Wine Country Pride, the organization’s full board will be there to help host the event. Additionally, Basic Rights Oregon, the largest LGBTQ rights advocacy group in Oregon, is bringing a surprise activation.
General admission tickets are $128, and the Penthouse Pre-Party the day before is $80. Or you can purchase a combo pass for $200.
“The vibe is bold, joyful, and deeply intentional. Plus, we’ve made it travel-friendly. There’s a commuter van from Portland to wine country for those who don’t want to drive, along with preferred rates at nearby hotels,” Drabkin said.
“The Willamette Valley is stunning this time of year, so if you’ve been looking for a reason to visit, Queer Wine Fest is the perfect one. It isn’t just a celebration, it’s community connection, visibility, and strength. Especially in this moment, we need to show up for each other and ourselves.”