Beautiful Hills and Delicious Wine
Table of Contents
You’d be hard pressed (pun intended) to find a more beautiful place to go wine tasting than the majestic Willamette Valley wine country. The Willamette Valley is known for its beautiful rolling hills of vineyards, nuts, berries, flowers and grasses among other wonderful crops. It’s the perfect place for a Thirsty Explorer to escape for a few wine tastings. In Oregon there are more than 700 Wineries!! Oregon has become an epi-center for growing stellar varieties of Pinot grapes. The countryside reminds me of the Piedmont region of Northern Italy and Loire Valley of France minus the medieval castles and cobblestone lanes. Order a charcuterie board of local cheese and sausages or a pizza!
Pinots and More
The micro-climate and terroir of the valley is derived from the colder, wet air and fog from the coast combined with the warm dry air of the eastern state and mountains. The soil is a rich blend of volcanic (yes, think Mt. Saint Helens) and river sediments that have created a perfect place to grow Pinot. Other varieties also grow in certain areas – Chardonnay, Viognier and Syrah to name a few. Oregon is also on the same meridian as France with a mild spring (usually) and warm dry summers. The winter is not for everyone. I have to be honest, I personally can’t take the months of cold, grey, dreary rain. But the vines and some people love it!
Go Forward Thirsty Explorers ~ Taste !
I have listed just a FEW of the wineries in the Willamette Valley corridor near Dallas where my parents live. We used a 15 mile radius and only hit a few out of many! But the ones I listed here are award winning and outstanding for ambiance and views. ENJOY!
Van Duzen Vineyards
Van Duzen Vineyards– At the top of the hill you see a beautifully manicured tasting room with a 360-degree view of the Oregon valley fields. Oregon is a top producer of grass seed along with grain, fruits and nuts. Inside the tasting room there is a nice seating area and bar. We headed out to the breezy patio where we found a table in the shade. The views and copper wind sculptures gently spinning in the breeze, with the views from this spot are a glorious sight. The tasting consisted of six different wines, mainly Pinot Noirs that Oregon has become famous for. Their website: Van Duzer Vineyards
Left Coast Cellars
Left Coast Cellars is a favorite of mine. It’s a spot where you can lounge under the shade trees and enjoy a pizza from the wood fired oven or munch on a fresh salad with your wine or cider. The estate is not only a vineyard but a winery and working farm. They focus on sustainability and restoring the land to its original splendor. They farm 160 acres of grapes along with heritage apples brought by the first settlers. You can read about their story and the passion they have for conservation of the land on their website. As you enter the vineyard, it’s beautifully landscaped and takes you to the hilltop where you find a beautiful grassy knoll across from the tasting room. Their website: Left Coast Cellars
Cubanisimo Vineyards
I was in joyful bliss as I heard Merengue music being playing from inside the tasting room! I entered a piece of heaven as I strolled past the wine barrel tables to the bar. They have delicious award-winning blends that range from the delightful lighter Rosado de Pinot Noir and a light balanced Pinot Gris to the deeper Pinot Noir reds. Their selections and awards can be found on the Cubanisimo Vineyard Awards Page. We selected our wine and set out for the outdoor patio. There’s a music pavilion and palm trees. Fantástico! They have live music in the summer, weddings, events and even YOGA AND WINE. Check out the calendar. I would definitely do that – and I don’t do yoga. Their website: Cubanisimo Vineyards
Cherry Hill Winery
This is the most beautiful drive I’ve taken to a winery. The fields, flowers, and deep green forest surrounding a beautiful blue lake are stunning. The Willamette Valley is absolutely beautiful any time of year, but exceptionally gorgeous in early summer when the vines have begun to grow, and the wildflowers are in bloom. After a few miles another sign appears the winery that takes you down a gravel lane surrounded by everything beautiful. Before you know it, the winery comes into view at the top of the hill. Our tasting began with the Blanc de Pinot Noir, it was lovely. The second wine I tasted was the Dijon Cuvee Pinot Noir which is a combination of two different pinot grape clones spliced onto local stock that was developed by the University of Dijon in Dijon, France. It was deliciously rich and smooth. I LOVED it. After that I tasted the Cherry Hill Pinot Noir 2019 and it too had a lovely finish. Their website: Cherry Hill Winery
The Nitty Gritty ~
Willamette Valley Vineyards are scattered all along the valley between the Coastal Range along the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Range to the east. The surrounding area of Amity is considered by some to be the center of this region, but Pacific Highway 99W between McMinnville and Corvallis has a good batch.
FOR TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES: US STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL SITE
ALL trips begin with a safety brief – BE PREPARED ! Your ULTIMATE one-stop shop for International Travel Info – Passports, Visas, Travel Advisories, Country Info, STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) CHECK IT OUT !!
FOR ALL TRAVEL PLANNING – Try out my planning sheets. The PREFLIGHT PLANNER for a travel checklist and City to City planning. The DAILY PLANNER for daily Site and Museum planning.
