Tasting Room In Carlton

This is one of our favorite stops in Carlton! Many tasting rooms have a stuffy vibe to them, and the people working there seem to be indifferent to whether you are there or not. Not the case here. The minute we walked in last December, and Jay came out to greet us wearing a giant knit hat and an equally giant grin, we were charmed. The conversation with him was casual, funny, and not at all uptight. Despite the lighthearted atmosphere, Jay is incredibly knowledgeable about wine without coming across as pompous.
Most importantly, every single wine I’ve ever tried here has been something I would proudly serve at the dinner table. My absolute favorite is the EIEIO (any and all of them)!

I’ve been in here a few times and have always had a good experience. Today, I tasted a handful of small production wines from well versed and experienced female, Christie I think her name was. Great location and cool wines!

Whoa that is kind of a harsh review from the only one who has reviewed this tasting room!
The Tasting Room in Carlton has been on that corner in Carlton for the past 13 years. Obviously they are doing something right to stay in business! I have lived in McMinnville for the past 15 years and have visited quite a few times. You have to know Jay’s (the owner) quirky personality, and Sarah has waited on me a number of times – she is great! But the feel of that entire establishment, is they are in it for serious wine drinkers & buyers. They don’t care what wine shop or winery you are coming from.
It truly is an added bonus, that a winery or tasting room even extend an industry discount to people in the first place. I know because I used to run a tasting room. It is not set in stone anywhere.
If you are a real wine addict like myself, check out the Tasting Room in Carlon’s available wine inventory:
(I did the leg work for you !!) and the next time you are on that great little street in Carlton, definitely check it out for yourself! (Jay’s own label E.I.E.O label is wine not to miss)

The wines in this place were pretty good — but the service from the tasting room «manager» was not good in any way shape or form.
Since the group that I went in there with are in the wine industry, and we typically take care of anyone in my sister’s wine shop that is in the industry, I like to be treated equally «kind» in return. Even after Scott Wright, of Scott Paul Wines, brought us down there to let Sarah know that we were to be «taken care of» — not only did we have to pay the full price for the tastes (with no heavy pouring), we were also totally ignored. I mean, it’s totally fine if we are ignored when we are getting the tastes for free or we are getting «larger» tastes… but what is the deal w/​getting treated like crap AND paying? This chick does not get it! She also has this heavy attitude… and I just get really annoyed by people that think they are «all that» just because they are in the wine industry. Please, you’re still pouring wine behind a counter… I do that too — and without attitude. It’s not that hard… she should try it sometime.
So, overall, I’d say don’t bother going in there. You aren’t treated all that well, and while the wines are good, there are a LOT of wines a stone’s throw from there that are also good.
Also, if that’s how it’s going to work, you can just go to the cheese place there in town, get some cheese/​olives/​etc, get some wine and actually enjoy yourself (which is what we did do afterwards, and should be done that from the get-​go). Skip this place. You’ll be happier.
Other Carlton suggestions:
Scott Paul
Carlton Wine Makers Studio