Sip In downtown Hood River, stroll between tasting rooms including Stoltz Winery and Cerulean Wine, or pop into Porron Cellars to taste wines from around Oregon and the world. Named after the valley’s famously strong winds, Viento Wines just west of town specializes in Riesling, Pinot noir and sparkling wines. A short drive east, Mosier is home to another cluster of wineries. Savor Spanish-inspired wines and local snacks on a lavender-lined terrace at the biodynamic Analemma Wines. Grapes are just one of more than 100 varieties of fruiting plants at Idiot’s Grace, where making terroir-driven wines is also about cultivating biodiversity. Garnier Vineyards, located nearby on a historic estate built by a wealthy New Yorker a century ago, is distinguished by its Colonial Revival home. Delightful Double Strand Wine pays homage to the region’s deep history of orchard fruits by growing cherries as well as grapes. Rather have somebody else do the planning and driving? Hood River Tours picks up in Hood River or The Dalles for half-day winery tours, no wheels required. Eat At the west end of the Gorge, Sugarpine Drive-In serves a seasonally shifting menu of playful sandwiches and ornate soft-serve confections. Thunder Island Brewing Co. in Cascade Locks makes refreshing ales to enjoy alongside Asian-fusion cuisine. In Hood River, get aebleskiver pancakes and aquavit brunch cocktails at Scandi hot spot Broder Øst. At Solstice Wood Fire Pizza, Cafe & Bar, you’ll find sourdough pizzas and more. The smoked brisket at Grasslands Barbecue food cart is worth getting in line for — it’s just across the lawn from Hood River’s popular Ferment Brewing Co. Or head downtown for eco-friendly fine dining at Celilo, where sourcing locally is a way of life, or fish tacos at cozy Lake Taco, which resides in a converted old house with a cozy patio out back. CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: AUBRIE LEGAULT (2); COURTESY OF VISIT HOOD RIVER On the Hood River Fruit Loop tour, you’ll find fruit stands and U-picks of berries and orchard fruit, along with baked goods at Apple Valley Country Store and Packer Orchards & Bakery. Crispy-cheese lovers should head to Freebridge Brewing in The Dalles for Detroitstyle pizza and German-style lagers. Play The century-old Historic Columbia River Highway was the first planned scenic roadway in the country. It’s still a twisty delight to drive with views galore, and some sections have been set aside for car-free travel. Cruise those segments on a bike or electric bike on a tour with Bike the Gorge, or join an e-bike wine tour with Sol Rides. You can also pedal custom two-person railbikes past orchards and vineyards with Mount Hood Railroad. Curious to try kiteboarding? Rent gear or take a lesson at Kite the Gorge or Cascade Kiteboarding. To take in the river at a slower pace, Heart of the Gorge Sailing and Gorge Sail Ventures offer seasonal WINE TRAILS Columbia River Gorge Fruit Loop This 35-mile scenic drive through the valley’s orchards, forests, farmlands and friendly communities in the hills south of Hood River is a year-round delight. Spring brings vast vistas of billowing blossoms, followed by the sweet flavors of summer fruits and fall harvest. Wineries on the loop are open year-round, many serving up stunning views of Mt. Hood and the surrounding landscape alongside every pour. At Mt. Hood Winery, get incredible views of the mountain that inspired its name while trying Pinot noir, Chardonnay and pear wine. Stave and Stone Wine Estates offers guided walking tours, complete with paired tastings of wine and food. Pair your Pinot noir with a wood-fired pizza and a pour of local whiskey at Hood Crest Winery and Distillers. hoodriverfruitloop.com sailboat tours on the mighty Columbia River. If you’d rather keep your feet dry, hit one of the many hiking trails on the Oregon side of the Gorge, like Eagle Creek Trail, which offers amazing views from the first mile. At Bonneville Lock & Dam, you can watch salmon and lamprey swim their way up the fish ladder via an underwater viewing window. The whimsical National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles displays vintage signage in a stately old building downtown. Stay The elegant Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa, built in 1921, makes a stylish Hood River home base, complete with the opportunity to get a Himalayan hot salt stone massage or other treatment at the on-site spa. Stays at the luxury Sakura Ridge Farm & Lodge, about 8 miles southeast of Hood River, include luxury Italian linens and seasonal breakfasts often featuring produce grown on-site. The Celilo Inn, a boutique motor lodge, overlooks The Dalles and the Columbia River. Cathedral Ridge Winery Broder Øst Multnomah Falls Keep exploring at gorgewine.com 28 OREGON WINE TOURING GUIDE
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