Publication date: Steptember 22, 2021
Situated between the urban sprawl of Portland and Salem, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is a place where grape-spotted hills meet mighty evergreens and misty mountain views, all ensconced in a lush river valley just 30 minutes from Stumptown. Here, a 100-mile wine trail (vast, compared to Napa’s densely-packed 30 miles) boasts more than 25,000 acres of vines, making Oregon second only to California in terms of number of wineries. And while the Willamette is famous for its wealth of famously finicky pinot noir, you’ll also find outstanding chardonnay, pinot gris, riesling, sauvignon blanc, gamay, pinot blanc, and more.
Of the roughly 900 wineries in Oregon, nearly 700 can be found in the Willamette Valley (the Hood River Valley to the east is another hot spot). Due west, the idyllic small town of Newberg is home to women-powered Adelsheim, the oldest winery in the Chehalem Mountains whose beautiful outdoor nooks make it a necessary visit, and Et Fille Wines, whose Champagne-style sparkling wine is a winner, though the STEM & Root Pinot Noir that raises funds for STEM education helps you feel extra philanthropic when ordering a second flight.