Mural, Eugene Historic Dorena Bridge Scenic trails of all kinds crisscross the region. Take in the sights on the McKenzie River Scenic Byway, which follows the brilliantly blue river for 34 miles (55 kilometers). Nearby, hikers on the 26.4-mile (42.5-kilometer) McKenzie River National Recreation Trail within the Willamette National Forest pass viewpoints overlooking Sahalie and Koosah falls. Other waterfalls in the national forest include Diamond Creek Falls and Salt Creek Falls. Elsewhere in the West Cascades, Oakridge has more than 300 miles (483 kilometers) of single-track trails, earning it the nickname “Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest.” Road cyclists, meanwhile, favor the 36-mile (58-kilometer) Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway, which follows the Row River and passes through six historic covered bridges; the bikeway ends in Cottage Grove, a quintessentially Americana town known as the “Covered Bridge Capital of the West.” The South Willamette Wine Trail strings together a dozen family-owned wineries, where tasting rooms perched on hills overlook rolling vineyards and evergreen forests. WildCraft Cider Works, Eugene SIP STOPS MEET A FEW OF THE AREA’S CRAFT BEVERAGE PRODUCERS King Estate Winery Founded in 1991, King Estate Winery is today the largest certified-biodynamic vineyard in North America. The picturesque tasting room sits surrounded by mountains, hillsides, grasslands, wetlands, orchards, gardens and more—the perfect outpost for sipping your way through King Estate’s Pinots noir, gris and other food-friendly wines. Pfeiffer Winery Pfeiffer Winery grows a variety of grapes— including Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Merlot—on one of the oldest vineyard estates in the Willamette Valley. These wines are best enjoyed in the winery’s tasting rooms, which include a candlelit, Tuscan-inspired cave; a large fireplace pavilion; and an enchanting outdoor area with waterside seating. Falling Sky Brewing With two locations across Eugene, it’s no wonder the mantra at Falling Sky Brewing is “Let it pour.” Both brewpub outposts sport a mix of sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads alongside an eclectic lineup of stouts, dunkels, IPAs, pilsners, sour ales and other versatile styles. Oregon Wine LAB Oregon Wine LAB, an acronym for “local artisan brands,” captures the familial spirit of Eugene’s urban-winery scene. Both a wine bar and winery in the Whiteaker neighborhood, the tasting room pours vino from the house label, William Rose, as well as from other producers in the Willamette Valley. WildCraft Cider Works Eugene’s first craft cidery shows off the city’s eco-conscious and artisan sensibilities. WildCraft produces its often dry and complex ciders with whole fruit that would otherwise go to waste—much of it harvested from old homesteads, abandoned orchards and Lane County parks. And in the same locavore vein, the urban tap house serves a full farm-to-table menu. Thinking Tree Spirits Distillery Thinking Tree is one of a few distilleries in the Whiteaker neighborhood, which has emerged as Eugene’s “Fermentation District.” Drawing inspiration from co-owner Emily Jensen’s long summer days at the Oregon Country Fair, the Thinking Tree team uses local produce and botanicals to imbue its signature spirits—vodka, gin, rum and more—with Oregon flavors. They also source grain from the local Camas Country Mill to craft a true farm-to-flask spirit. willamettevalley.org | 31
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