If you love wine, you’re in the right place. Head south to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, where you can explore renowned South Willamette Valley wineries, tasting rooms and bottle shops galore. Explore intentionally small wineries offering exclusive and intimate experiences or find wide-reaching favorites at sprawling vineyards across the valley. WINERIES The South Willamette Valley’s cool, temperate climate is ideal for pinot grape production. Among the best-known estate wineries in the region, King Estate is celebrated for biodynamically grown pinot gris and pinot noir, served with cheese and sourdough bread at a hilltop tasting room with glorious views. Nearby Sweet Cheeks Winery serves bold reds and semisweet Rieslings in a big-windowed tasting room. Across the street, Silvan Ridge Winery features live music in the summer and a cozy tasting room with a fireplace for the cooler months. In the foothills of the Coast Range near Junction City, Walnut Ridge Vineyard South Willamette Valley Wine Country Explore vineyards or sample wines at urban wineries. serves estate-grown wines on a sunny patio with views out over the vines in one of Oregon’s newest wine-growing regions, the Lower Long Tom AVA. URBAN WINERIES You can also get the full wine-tasting experience in Eugene and Springfield. Oregon Wine LAB pours a solid mix of locally produced wine and international vintages in a laid-back tasting room, complete with a covered patio. J. Scott Cellars in the 5th Street Public Market is another top choice, serving more than two dozen varietals sold by the glass, flight or bottle. Head to Capitello Wines’ downtown tasting room for a cheese plate and a glass of sauvignon blanc, or make your way to Territorial Vineyards & Wine Company to hear live music while you taste wines from the Willamette Valley. WINE SHOPS When you’re looking for a special bottle of Willamette Valley wine, it’s wise to head to a wine shop — they offer weekly tastings Eugene 101 199 30 97 20 62 62 66 138 227 140 42 47 202 99W 22 58 126 138 99W 99E 228 126 242 84 5 5 20 20 Gold Beach rt Orford Waldport Bandon Brookings Florence Harbor Reedsport Astoria Newport Seaside Cannon Beach Pacific City Cave Junction Pacif ic Ocea n Calif o rni Washi n g CRATER LAKE MT ASHLAND Umpqua River Portland Springfield Salem Coburg Junction City Veneta Lowell Oakridge McKenzie Bridge Creswell Cottage Grove Portland (45 miles) MELANIE GRIFFIN / EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST DAY TRIPS and personalized service. One of the oldest wine shops in the region, Sundance Wine Cellars stocks a huge selection of wine, with over 500 Oregon pinot noirs along with hard-to-find bottles from around the world. Downtown’s Party Market & Wine is another great stop for wine lovers, featuring organic and biodynamic wine and tasty provisions. Broadway Wine Merchants in Oakway Center features both an extensive bottle shop and a small bistro. WINE TOURS The best way to experience the region’s wine scene is by taking a tour. Going with a guide or booking a private chauffeur is a great idea for groups without a designated driver. Options abound, from Sunshine Limo Service — which offers bespoke winery tours in sedans, buses and limousines — to Oregon Vine2Wine Tours, which hosts half-day tours and transportation services for smaller groups. Best Oregon Tours offers wine excursions along with all sorts of other adventures, from covered-bridge tours to walking and driving tours focused on Eugene’s urban highlights. Plan your wine tour at SouthWillametteWineTrail.org. Sweet Cheeks Winery 60 PortlandUncovered.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==