CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COLIN MORTON / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST; MELANIE GRIFFIN / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST; TODD COOPER Sip This stretch of the valley is home to dozens of vineyards, from Salemarea Ankeny Vineyard, where you can sip wine on a farm-facing patio while indulging in wood-fired pizza, to La Chouette Vineyard, a compact estate winery on the edge of the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. To learn about a unique approach to growing grapes, visit Antiquum Farm in Junction City to learn about the owners’ signature grazing-based viticulture program. This Lower Long Tom winery employs the aid of grazing animals, including kunekune pigs, to keep the Bellpine soil for which the AVA is known in tip-top shape. As the largest city in the region, Eugene has plenty of great spots to sample wine, from J. Scott Cellars, a spacious wine bar in the heart of the city, to the Iris Vineyards Wine Bar in the neighboring community of Springfield. Southwest of Eugene is home to spots such as McBeth Vineyards, which offers Pinot and Riesling tastings by appointment, and Sweet Cheeks Winery, beloved for its spacious indoor/ outdoor tasting room and a laidback, family-friendly atmosphere. Eat Eugene’s food scene is nothing short of fantastic, and many local restaurants rely heavily on local ingredients. Don’t miss Izakaya Meiji Co., where Japanese favorites are served with shochu and sake, or Marché’s French fare and carefully curated wine list. Fun and casual restaurant Yardy Rum Bar, which specializes in tasty Trinidadian food, is a new addition to the scene. For lunch and a case to take home, visit Broadway Wine Merchants, which has a bistro with Europeaninspired salads and sandwiches as well as a well-stocked bottle shop. In Albany make sure to visit Sybaris Bistro, a cozy dinner spot 20x21 mural by Bayne Gardner The Gordon Hotel WINE TRAILS Heart of Willamette Take a self-guided tour through the heart of the Willamette Valley, where you’ll find a network of 19 small-scale wineries and tasting rooms within 30 miles of Albany or Salem. Pick up a Heart of Willamette Wineries Wine Passport at the Visit Corvallis visitor center, or download a digital version straight to your smartphone, and set out to visit some of the best artisan wineries in the region. Your passport will entitle you to plenty of perks, from included tastings to discounts on bottles and cases. Featured stops include veteran wineries such as Wetzel Estate and Springhill Cellars, both of which have been in the business for over 35 years. If you’re in the mood for something different, sample spirits at Divine Distillers or cider and perry at Salt Creek Cider House. heartofwillamette.com Yardy Rum Bar chef Isaiah Martinez 52 OREGON WINE TOURING GUIDE
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