Best Places To Stay In Oregon Wine Country
Lumos Winery lavender field, Courtesy of Reed Lane Photography
From Dundee Hills, McMinnville, and Eola-Amity Hills in the world famous Willamette Valley, to Columbia Valley in the northeast, to Umpqua and Rogue Valleys in the southern reaches of the state, Oregon is a mosaic of natural beauty and world-class wines.
Oregon Wine Country is vast and diverse, says Carrie Wynkoop, founder and CEO of Cellar 503, an Oregon-only wine club centered on the discovery of wineries and grape growers throughout Oregons many winemaking regions. Most folks associate Oregon with pinot noir grown in the Willamette Valley, but there is wine produced literally in every part of the state.
Planning a trip? The states 18 AVAs feature many different meso-climates, allowing an A-Z of wine grapes grown. Each region is dotted with boutique and luxury hotels, charming B&Bs and cozy Wine Country inns, on-site winery guest houses, and offbeat lodging options. We have compiled a list of ten of our favorites to help you plan the perfect Oregon Wine Country getaway.
Oregon Wine Country In All Seasons
When is the best time to visit Oregon Wine Country? Each season brings something new: the golden vines of fall slowly fade into cozy tasting rooms during Cellar Season, while spring wildflowers eventually turn to summer concerts and picnics. Here’s our guide to each season on the South Willamette Wine Trail, where you’ll find urban tasting rooms in the heart of Eugene and valley vineyards all close by. Year-round, you can expect to walk in and find a spot at a tasting bar or quiet table with a winemaker eager to pour you a taste of Oregon’s famous Pinot Noir.
Eating And Drinking Around Oregon Wine Country
UNITED STATES – 1991/01/01: USA, Oregon, Near Portland North Willamette Region, Vineyards.
Dining options, and the wines to go with them, just keep getting better and better in the Willamette Valley. During a recent trip up there, I had a number of great meals and drank some stunning wine. I also discovered a hidden gem of a hotel: the Yamhill Flats in downtown Newberg.;
Yamill Flats are in the center of Newberg.
Lifestyle Properties
A number of well-appointed apartments are hidden up a tall staircase in the heart of downtown Newberg. They come in all sizes from your standard one bedroom to a full-sized apartment. They also come in pet-friendly and pet-free version: so lucky me while I love dogs, I am sadly allergic to them. If you have lots of bags this might not be the right place for you as the stairs are steep and there is little parking adjacent to the hotel.
New Discoveries and Revisiting the Classics
Newberg is home to a lovely Italian restaurant with a garden called Rosamarino Osteria. Chef Dario Pisoni covered several of its walls with a pattern made of wine crates. It inspired me to do;a simple wall in my new place in Oregon! The pastas and the pizzas are simple and classic. The chunky Bolognese was super satisfying. It is always a shame when chefs spoil a classic Italian dish with too many ingredients which chef Pisoni does not.
The wall at Rosamarino Osteria.
Liza Zimmerman
The view from the restaurant at the Jory.
Liza Zimmerman
Great Local Wines
gettygetty
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Shaoxing Wine
Wine Tasting Close To The City
Perhaps you want to skip the drive and enjoy the experience of wine tasting close to the city, where you can easily walk, bike, scooter or call a ride share to get around. Plot your own course among the PDX Urban Wineries,;from Boedecker Cellars in Northwest to Hip Chicks Do Wine in Southeast; most ask you to make a reservation in advance. Dont miss newish spots like The Crick, Abbey Creek Vineyards downtown location. Just south and west of Portland, get inspired to explore Tualatin Valley wineries, as well as Oregons two newest winegrowing regions, the Chehalem Mountains and the Laurelwood District. If youre hankering for a getaway to sunny Bend, oenophiles will have lots of new experiences there, too. The city is now home to a number of new tasting rooms including Bledsoe Family Winery, Stoller Wine Bar, Evoke Winery andDomaine Serene .;
The Bottles A Showcase
First up, well be sampling a 2018 Chardonnay from Skycrest Vineyard, located in Oregons Anderson Valley. Skycrest, am I the only one who finds that to be an unusually awesome name?
Next, well be tasting a 2017 Pinot Noir from the WillaKenzie Estate, located in Oregons Willamette Valley.
Finally, well be reviewing a Brut Rose from Yamhill-Carlton, located in McMinnville, Oregon.
You May Like: How Much Is Wine At Aldi
Belle Fiore Estate And Winery
541.552.4900 | bellefiorewine.com
Belle Fiore Winery surveys sweeping mountain vistas from Ashland to Pilot Rock to Pompadour Butte. Belle Fiore Estate & Winerys Old World elegance inspires a special feeling of magic and romance. Conveniently located just a few miles from Ashland and Interstate 5, visitors will be delighted with the expansive grounds, enchanting gardens, numerous creative settings, breathtaking views and natural seclusion. Belle Fiore specializes in small varietal lots that reflect the genuine diversity of their vineyard and appellation.
Chehalem Ridge Bed & Breakfast
Courtesy of Chehalem Ridge
This upscale bed and breakfast is located in Newberg, Oregon, 1000 feet up on Chehalem Mountain, overlooking Willamette Valleys Wine Country. Recently named a 2021 Travelers Choice Award winner by TripAdvisor, Chehalem Ridge features five tastefully appointed rooms with attached private bathrooms, stunning views, and modern amenities like heated balconies, jetted tubs, fireplaces, and gourmet breakfasts centered around homemade and local ingredients.
28700 NE Mountain Top Road, Newberg, OR 97132, 538-3474
Don’t Miss: What Kind Of Wine Is Stella Rosa
The Vintages Trailer Resort
Courtesy of The Vintages Trailer Resort
If glamping is more your speed, The Vintages Trailer Resort offers a unique, family-centered lodging experience in the heart of the Willamette Valley. The resort features 35 refurbished and stylishly decorated retro trailers with outdoor grills and cruiser bikes to make the most of your outdoor surroundings. Luxury touches include gourmet pour-over coffee, cozy terry cloth robes, and premium hotel-quality linens, while the classic glamping vibe offers firepits, outdoor lawn games, and a pet-friendly policy.
16205 SE Kreder Road, Dayton, OR 97114, 267-2130
Your Gay Guide To The Oregon Wine Country Just Outside Portland
My fiancé and I learned to love red wine together, a few years after we started dating. Regular local wine tastings expanded our palates beyond the cloyingly sweet white wines that we initially favored. Today, we love nothing more than opening a bottle of Malbec, Tempranillo, or Cabernet Sauvignon with friends, alongside an expansive charcuterie plate.
But weve also learned that wine can transport us, and we enjoy incorporating tastings into our travels. Every time we open a bottle of Pinotage, were taken back to a wonderful afternoon we spent at La Residence in Franschhoek, South Africa wishing we could stay there another couple of days. Weve made side excursions for wine on trips from San Francisco to northern Michigan to Argentina.
The author and his fiancé at Coeur de Terre Vineyard
So, when our family vacation this year took us to Portland and the Oregon Coast, we jumped at the chance to spend several days in the areas premier wine region, the Willamette Valley.
Anchored by the Willamette River, this fertile valley runs north-south for roughly 150 miles, from Portland to Salem. The region grows several varietals, including Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. But the real standout here is the Pinot Noir, which has truly put the Willamette Valley on sommeliers maps.
So many choices
The view at Lemelson Vineyards
The converted grain elevator at Flaneur Wines
The wraparound porch at Couer de Terre Vineyard
Bring on the food
Read Also: How To Get Wine Delivered Same Day
Its The Climate And Geology
Southern Oregon would not be the versatile grape-growing region it is today without the help from Mother Nature. Its unusually diverse array of grape varieties can be directly attributed to the unique geology and climate of the region. Around 200 million years ago, the area between Southern Washington and Northern Oregon experienced tectonic activity, which resulted in volcanic fissures that unleashed upwards of 42,000 cubic miles of lava across the region. Towards the end of the last Ice Age, the landscape was further shaped by a series of giant floods that buried hundreds of feet of rich sediment on top of the basalt rock. This rich sediment made its way down the Columbia River and covered whats now the Willamette Valley. However, Southern Oregon was spared the impact from these ancient floods, as it narrowly avoided getting covered up by this same ultra-rich sediment. Instead, it retained a complex montage of nearly 50 different metamorphic, volcanic, and sedimentary derived soils throughout the region.
Experience The Most Diverse Wine Region In Oregon
Named the next Napa by Vogue Online, Southern Oregon;is home to over 250 vineyards, 100 wineries, and over 70 varieties of red and white wine grapes. Enjoy sustainably grown and nationally acclaimed vintages, take in epic views of the region, and get ready to experience a top wine travel destination. Nationally recognized by Forbes, Sunset, New York Times, Wine Enthusiast and more! To find out more visit Rogue Valley Wine Country.
Also Check: Can You Ship Wine To Louisiana
The Brenner Suite At Ch Bailey House
Courtesy of C.H. Bailey House Bed and Breakfast
This private green bungalow located at the historic C.H. Bailey House in Southern Oregons Umpqua Valley is surrounded by countless hiking trails and waterfalls along the Umpqua River, inviting guests to reconnect with their natural surroundings. The bungalow is deeply committed to protecting and preserving the earth, using solar power, earth-friendly cleaning products, and sustainable gardening practices. Each stay includes complimentary gourmet breakfasts, in-room cheese and crackers, and local wines and beer on-tap.
121 Melton Road, Roseburg, OR 97470, 315-0048
Exploring Southern Oregons Wine Country
Although the Willamette Valley is often regarded as Oregons wine capital, over the past several years, Southern Oregon has emerged as a world-class viticultural region, known for its unique ability to grow a wide variety of grapes due to its complex geology, soil and mesoclimates. This region, which is actually the birthplace of Oregons wine industry, saw its first grapes planted in the mid-1800s;and today boasts over 88 vineyards and numerous tasting rooms across four river valleys. Compared to popular wine regions like Napa and Sonoma, here, wine enthusiasts will escape the crowds and find prices more accommodating. With stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains, wine aficionados can revel in world class-wine without an air of pretension at this underrated wine destination.
Read Also: What Wine Goes With Pizza
Willamette Valley Winemaking The Communal Way
The roots of a shared winery in which small, individually licensed producers crush, age and bottle their wines using the same equipment and facilities were first planted in the U.S. in Oregon, with the opening of the Carlton Winemakers Studio in 2002. Meet some of the other winerieswho are following in their footsteps.
Abbey Road Farms Silo Suites B&b
Courtesy of Abbey Road Farm
At Abbey Road Farm, three functional grain silos were combined and converted to create a luxurious, one-of-a-kind bed and breakfast experience. Guests enter the inn through a grand lobby and sitting area with wet bar to one of five suites featuring foam topped beds, Jacuzzi tubs, premium bedding, and ambient floor heating. Stays include a bounteous Oregon breakfast prepared by on-site chef/innkeeper, Will Preisch. Guests will delight in meeting the grounds resident ducks, alpacas, sheep, donkeys, goats, and chickens, warming themselves in the evening around the outdoor fireplace, or tasting the newest vintages from resident winemakers.
10501 NE Abbey Road, Carlton, OR 97111, 687-3100
You May Like: What Goes Good With White Wine
Travel Guide To Oregon Wine Region
Oregon is located on the West Coast of the United States of America, between California and Washington. The state is known for its stunning, immense and diverse environments, with lakes, thick evergreen forests, volcanoes, and dry deserts. The geographical location and the role of Oregon in popular culture, make the state quite popular among tourists. Oregon is also a wine-producing state. Wine from Oregon is less known compared to Californian wines, but it certainly is gaining a high reputation in the international wine community. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are the two most planted vines in the wine-producing regions of Oregon, and thanks to the cool-climate, varieties of Riesling and Chardonnay are also grown in this wine region.
Find out about Wine tasting and Tours in Oregon to enjoy your visit to the region.
Follow our guide to Oregon wine region to discover more about:
Oregon Wine Country: A Region That Has Aged Well
Beginning in the 1840s, early pioneers who made the trek West along the Oregon Trail planted roots in the newly established territory, and soon afterward, the regions first grapes. One of these early settlers was Peter Britt, a Swiss photographer who left the east coast in search of gold in Southern Oregon and whod later become Oregons first commercial wine producer. Britt began growing grapes in the mid-1800s and established Valley View Winery, Oregons first official winery, near present-day Jacksonville. By 1870, his 20-acre commercial vineyard and orchard had experimented with over 200 varieties of American and European grapes, producing between 1,000-3,000 gallons per year. With his extensive horticultural knowledge and innovative practices, he installed an underground irrigation system by 1855 and used techniques like smudging to prevent frost and raised bees to improve pollination. By the time Britt died in 1905, there were dozens of vineyards in Southern Oregon, many of which were shipping grapes across the country and down to California.
You May Like: What Kind Of Wine Am I
Check Us Out On Tripadvisor
Fantastic Day!
We had experiences at all four vineyards we visited and dug into a fabulous lunch a couple of hours in. I never would have known where to start and Jack seemed to know the region like the back of his hand.
I highly recommend this tour!
AAS
Amazing Day Out!
Katie was absolutely amazing! We were under her incredible care for the day. She curated our itinerary as we went along tailoring to our likes/dislikes. She is an insider in the industry which made the experience completely unique and super enjoyable.
Jennifer S
Our Wine Tour January 2018
I booked our 8 person tour with Backcountry based on online reviews and I can confirm the company is FANTASTIC. We had Katie as our guide and she was out of this world good from educating us about the wines/areas to just enjoying her company . I HIGHLY recommend this company for a tour of the Willamette Valley.
Joe B
Wine Pods Cabanas And Vr Experiences
Those looking for an exclusive, private tasting experience are in luck many of Oregons wineries are offering premium experiences for those who want to hang out with a small group from the comfort of their own VIP-style shelter. Willamette Valley Vineyardsoffers igloo-style pods at their main Turner tasting room for up to six guests from two separate households. The reservation fee of $150 is applied as credit for wine or food during your visit. The pods include lighting and a space heater, and are sanitized and aired out between each party. Durant at Red Ridge Farms, in Dayton, lets parties of four book a private cabana for a two-hour slot . The experience includes a short ATV ride into the vineyard along their rolling acres of grapes and estate olive orchards; a complimentary bottle of estate wine; and a light picnic for four.Adelsheim Vineyard in Newberg is also offering cabanas for up to eight guests. Its best to book them by reserving an estate tasting, but walk-ins may be seated in a cabana based on availability. Even more tantalizing options: Soak up the vineyard views at Adelsheim at their new window-seat bar or in their garden in the vineyard.;
You May Like: What Does Red Wine Go With
Discover Oregons True Character
This years Oregon Wine Month is all about Oregons True Character a celebration of the people and places that make Oregon wine just so unique. The best way to discover it for yourself is getting out to the vineyards and wineries of Oregon, especially with new safety protocols in place for your peace of mind. You can order the official Oregon Wine Touring Guide for maps and itineraries of all the states winegrowing regions, or for a limited time enter to win the Oregon Wine Month sweepstakes featuring airfare, lodging and curated wine experiences in the Willamette Valley or Rogue Valley.;
The Dalles is another less-explored region for wine tasting, with innovative tasting rooms like Tierra De Lobos, run by owner and winemaker Adolfo Ocheata Mollinedo. Come for the riverfront views, welcoming vibe and ample heated, outdoor space. As you travel along the Columbia River Gorge, youll retrace the path of the Missoula Floods and see how the dramatic geological event shaped the distinct terroirs of this region.;
Snake River Valley Ava
A new viticultural area along the Snake River was established on April 9, 2007. Principally located in Idaho, the area also encompasses two large counties in Eastern Oregon, Baker County and Malheur County. The region’s climate is unique among AVAs in Oregon; the average temperature is relatively cool and rainfall is low, creating a shorter growing season. Current production is led by hardy grapes such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay. The climate also lends itself extremely well to the production of ice wine. However, the AVA is quite large and warmer microclimates within the area can also support different types of grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Read Also: Where To Stay In Burgundy Wine Country
