WILLAMETTE VALLEY WINERIES in Oregon
More than 500 wineries in the Willamette Valley produce a plethora of excellent pinot noir, pinot gris, and riesling. But this region also grows hops and fresh produce galore (think hazelnuts, cherries, and olives, as well as grass seed and Christmas trees), offers fine dining, and also presents varied recreational opportunities. The 150-mile-long valley is surrounded by mountains on three sides–the Cascade Range to the east, the Oregon Coast Range to the west, and the Calapooya Mountains to the south, and the Willamette River flows through the entire length,
The valley runs runs from Eugene to Portland, but its heart is in the area immediately surrounding Salem in the Dundee Hills and is best seen along Highway 99 West. Beautiful at any time of year, it is stunning in fall when the grape leaves turn mustard-yellow and the trees burst into seasonal color. It was a Reserve Pinot Noir from Eyrie Vineyards in McMinnville that shocked the wine world in 1979 by placing in the top 10 of pinot noirs in a blind tasting at the Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiad in Paris.
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| colorful fall scenic of Willamette Valley in Oregon |
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| colorful pinot noir grapes on the vine in Willamette Valley in Oregon |
WINERIES
McMinnville
935 NE 10th Ave., (888) 472-5124, (503) 472-6315. Daily, Noon to 5pm. Tasting fee $10 & $20, waived with wine purchase.
It was the Eyrie Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir that shocked the wine world by placing in the top 10 of pinot noirs in a blind tasting at the 1979 Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiad in Paris.
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colorful pinot noir grapes on the vine at Eyrie Vineyards
in McMinnville in Willamette Valley in Oregon |
Dundee Hills AVA
The lovely Dundee Hills AVA (Americn Viticulture Area) is the epicenter of Oregon’s acclaimed wine country, and its red volcanic soil produces particularly excellent pinot noir grapes and wines. The first vines were planted more than 50 years ago, and today the area is home to more than 50 vineyards and wineries. The streets in the one-stoplight town of Dundee are lined with tasting rooms, and it is known for having the area’s highest concentration of wine-tasting facilities.
111 5th St., Amity, (503) 835-9305.
In informal surroundings, enjoy tasting single-vineyard Willamette Valley wines with a Portuguese flair.
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| interior of Coelho Winery tasting room in Amity in Willamette Valley in Oregon |
6555 NE Hilltop Lane, Dayton, (866) 864-6555, (503) 864-4600. Tasting W-M 11-4.
This 42-acre hilltop estate property produces exclusively pinot noir in their five-level, gravity-flow winery. A new state-of-the-art visitor center and tasting room, built in Old World style, offers a stellar experience, and food and wine pairing events are held in a cave-like subterranean warren of rooms. Sparkling wine and Chardonnay will soon be produced in Oregon’s first dedicated white winery, opening here in summer of 2018.
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| exterior of Domaine Serene in Dayton in Willamette Valley in Oregon |
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| cellar tasting room at Domaine Serene in Dayton in Willamette Valley in Oregon |
8355 NE Warren Rd., Dundee, (503) 857-5776.
This tiny little winery recently opened a fabulous new tasting room. It specializes in small production of great pinot noirs.
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| bottle of pinot noir at Dusky Goose in Dundee in Willamette Valley in Oregon |
27751 NW Olson Rd., Gaston, (877) ELK-COVE. Daily 10am-5pm.
The family of the winery owners has farmed in Oregon for five generations and has been growing pinot noir grapes for more than four decades. The wines are top-rated (I can attest to the deliciousness of the 2015, Willamette Valley, Estate Pinot Noir), and the tsting room has a view of the Coast Range Mountains.
8400 Champoeg Rd NE, St. Paul, (503) 678-1240.
Enjoy an elaborate tasting in a beautiful tasting room with a stellar view.
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| tasting room at Lady Hill Winery in St. Paul in Willamette Valley in Oregon |
6451 NE Hilltop Ln., Dayton, (503) 864-4592. W-M 11am-5pm.
Part of a 150-acre farm with 35 acres of vineyards, this winery tasting rooms offers a stellar view and is known for its pinot noir, pinot gris, and pinot blanc.
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| tasting room at Winter's Hill in Dayton in Willamette Valley in Oregon |
OTHER
5510 NE Breyman Orchards Rd., Dayton, 503-864-8502.
Established in 2008, this family-owned destination is the first commercial olive mill in the Northwest. Oregon Olive Mill oils can be tasted in the the venue’s nursery and garden shop. It is interesting to sample the five varietals--Arbequina, Koroneiki, Frantoio, Tuscan, and Mission--to determine which is your own favorite. This pastoral spot also has expansive lavender fields and grows grapes for Durant Vineyards. An annual Lavender Extravaganza is held in July.
Two lodging accommodations are also available--a one-bedroom guest suite overlooking the valley and a two-bedroom Stoneycrest cottage, which overlooks Durant Vineyards. Both properties are available to rent by the night, weekend or week and feature full kitchens and breathtaking views.
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| olive oil tasting bar at Red Ridge Farms in Dayton in Willamette Valley in Oregon |
$2.
The Willamette river has several cable-pulled car ferries. It is worth going out of your way to experience this one, but it very well might turn out to be on your way.
8105 Wallace Rd. NW, (503) 399-9806, Salem. Tu-Sat 10-5.
-watermark.JPG "exterior of McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville, Oregon")
