Tour Through Willamette Valley.
Oregon's Wine Country.

Portland is well known for being the “mother of microbreweries” but did you know its reputation for wine making is a close second? The Willamette Valley is home to numerous award-winning wineries with over 200 wineries found within its borders.

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The Valley stretches for one hundred miles from the Columbia River and Portland all the way down to Eugene, Oregon. At its widest, the Valley reaches a full sixty five miles. You’ll find varied appellations including six sub-appellations throughout this vast wine-making and vinyard region.

Warm summers and cool evenings make for a long, gentle growing season. During the winter, the area gets plentiful rain yet is protected from the rage of Pacific winter storms by the coastal mountain range to the west. Pinot Noir is the grape variety best suited for this area however the region is also comparable to the Alsace and Burgundy regions of France.

Area wineries also produce a wide variety of wines including Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Melon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, sparkling wine, as well as Cabernet, Syrah, and Merlot.

With lush green rolling hills, snow-capped mountain views, the wine country of Oregon is unique and charming. You’ll never be able to visit all of the wineries found here, so plan your tour according to your tastes. If you just want to sample the wineries within Portland, start at the Hip Chicks Do Wine located at 4510 S.E. 23rd Avenue. Next, stop at Urban Wineworks – Bishop Creek Cellars at 407 N.W. 16th Avenue. Finally, end up at Clear Creek Distillery at 1430 N.W. 23rd Avenue. This mini-tour will give you a taste without leaving the city.

But for those who want a real wine country experience, you have to hit the road and travel through the beautiful Willamette Valley. You’ll find handcrafted wines made by artisans who take pride in quality. Most winemakers here are small producing an average of just 5,000 cases per year. These intimate wineries and tasting rooms often have you face to face with the winemaker where you can ask questions and learn about their wines.

In addition to the beautiful landscape, excellent wine, and fantastic tasting rooms, you’ll also find that the Willamette Valley is home to numerous restaurants serving up fine wine paired with gourmet meals. Plan your day of wine-tasting and be sure to include a stop at one of these excellent restaurants to sample their fare.

Another terrific way to enjoy Oregon’s nearby wine country is to pack a picnic – don’t forget the corkscrew. Stock up on high-quality cheese and crackers, fruits, and buy a couple bottles of wine at your favorite winery. While you’re at it, buy a few bottles to take home.

Helpful Links of Interest.

List of Willamette Wineries
Oregon Wine Country
Explore Willamette Valley
Portland Hotels
Corvallis Oregon Hotels
Eugene Oregon Hotels
Salem Oregon Hotels
Willamette - Wikipedia

For the convenience of our users, we've included common misspellings and
abbreviations such as oragon, oregan, origon, or, ore, oreg, oregon and oregone.