It was 50 years ago, in April of 1974 when the first bottles of fruit wine became available from Nehalem Bay Winery – making it one of the oldest wineries in Oregon. Established in the historic Mohler Creamery building near the coastal town of Nehalem by Pat McCoy. Cheese, milk and butter were produced in the building from 1909 to 1959 as part of the Tillamook County Creamery Association. So naturally wine goes with cheese … The winery has become renowned not only for it’s wines, but also for it’s summer concert series, and for their 50th year – it had to be a BIG one! On Saturday, starting at 3 pm there will be three bands playing throughout the afternoon, into the evening.
Initially, Nehalem Bay Winery production focused on a variety of fruit wines, with Oregon Blackberry being the first wine bottled and released on April 1, 1974. Within a few years, we began producing traditional white and red wines in local, handmade oak foeders, making us one of the ten oldest wineries in the State of Oregon and the first winery on the Oregon Coast. Early on McCoy partnered with two-time Purple Heart recipient and philanthropist Raymond Shackelford, and he quickly established the Winery as a community-inclusive place to enjoy music, food and fun against the stunning backdrop of the Oregon Coast Range.
When Pat passed away in the 1990s, Ray took over ownership and then brought on Melissa Stetzel as manager in 1998. Stetzel took the event venue to another level, establishing a regular summer concert series, which always has launched with a Memorial Day weekend event. Celebrating the 50th Anniversary at Nehalem Bay Winery on Saturday May 25th during our Memorial Weekend Blues Fest with a few of favorite bands playing, including the Norman Sylvester Band, Johnny Wheels & the Swamp Donkeys and the Rittz Band! Admission is FREE.
Food is available for purchase – Creole Cooking – Taste of New Orleans Cart will be serving delicious Cajun food. Nehalem Bay wines, local beer and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
All events are Family friendly & Dog friendly.
Nehalem Bay Winery would love to hear about peoples’ fond memories from their visits to the Winery over the last FIVE decades.
Feel free to post your special memories of the Winery here on the event page! https://www.facebook.com/events/443787878070797
Nehalem Bay Winery is three generations of Oregonians strong, Travis Stetzel (Ray’s grandson, Melissa’s son) oversees the winery’s second location in Depoe Bay. The wines are crafted from world-class fruit from the Willamette Valley and offer a wide selection of fruit wines as well as traditional red and white grape varietals. The winery “makes the rounds” of Farmers Markets and special events with lots of opportunities to taste (and purchase) their wonderful wines. Of course, the tasting rooms at the historic Mohler location and in Depoe Bay are the BEST places to experience Nehalem Bay wines.
Depoe Bay Winery, the second location on the central Coast, opened in 1999, and is one of the only tasting rooms in the world where whale sightings occur regularly due to its resident Gray Whale pod. One block from the Smallest Harbor in the World, a few doors down from legendary restaurant Gracie’s Sea Hag, and across the street from one of the few spouting horns found outside of the Hawaiian Islands.
Nehalem Bay Winery is open every day from 10 am – 5 pm – 34965 Hwy. 53, Mohler.
Want your favorite wines delivered direct to your doorstep? (Shipping available to most states.) Order HERE.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for more FREE summer concerts at Nehalem Bay Winery:
June 15th – Juneteenth Reggae Festival
July 4 – 6th – Independence Day Celebration
August 3rd – Day of the Dog
August 17th – Bluegrass & BBQ
August 31-Sept. 1 – Local Favorites – Sedona Fire Band & Heather Christie