Mo’s Seafood & Chowder Festival Returns to Willamette Valley Vineyards
Mo’s Seafood & Chowder Festival is making a triumphant return to Willamette Valley Vineyards this January.
Willamette hasn’t hosted the classic event since 2020, and wine enthusiasts and crab lovers alike have felt its absence.
“With the three-year hiatus, we’ve missed out on people visiting from out of town who would come annually,” Estate General Manager Spence Fogarty said. “For many local Club Members, this has been one of the most sought-after events we host. It's a staple in January.”
Fresh crab pairs perfectly with Willamette's Pinot Gris.
The festival returns to our Estate in the Salem Hills on January 26th-28th. Seafood and wine will take center stage as attendees delight in delicious chowder bowls and other fresh seafood paired with our classic Oregon wines, including the 2022 Pinot Gris.
Tickets are available for purchase online. Admission is $40 per person or $30 for Club Members and Owners. Tickets include a glass of wine, a $15 wine credit, a Riedel glass to take home, live music and access to the event. A variety of Mo’s seafood and sides will be available for purchase.
“We created this event many years ago as a partnership with another local Oregon brand,” Spence said. “The event brings the amazing offerings of the coast to the Willamette Valley for us to share that story with our customers and guests.”
Mo’s North Coast Regional Manager Billie Jo Edmonds said her heart was filled with joy when she learned the event was coming back in 2024.
“My favorite part is the interaction we get with everyone,” Billie Jo said. “We bring in such a diverse group of individuals who make the event so fun.”
The Seafood and Chowder Festival is Mo's biggest event of the year.
What to expect
This year’s festival is the 24th iteration of the event. As usual, Louie, the giant inflatable crab, will tower over the Estate and be a great photo-op for attendees. This family-friendly event has something for everyone.
“If you’ve never been, you don’t know what you're missing,” Billie Jo said.
Mo’s will prepare food for purchase like shrimp skewers, clam chowder, oyster shooters and a crab dinner. Guests who purchase a case of wine will receive a whole crab to enjoy at the festival too.
With the Oregon crab season opening just last week, the seafood should be particularly tasty this year.
“It looks like it's going to be a really good season,” Billie Jo said. “I’m expecting big, fat, juicy crabs this year.”
Louie the inflatable crab is a great place for kids and adults alike to take photos.
The festival is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the bounty that Oregon provides from both the ocean and the land as it highlights wonderful seafood and wine pairings. While Pinot Gris is at the forefront, many of our wines — both white and red — can complement fresh seafood.
Although the pandemic put a hold on the popular event, Spence said it’s expected to return with a full crowd.
“We look forward to celebrating this event for many years to come,” he said.