can pair locally made picnic snacks with a flight of wines that range from classic pinots and chardonnay to more unique offerings like muscat ottonel. Take advantage of its dogfriendly wiking (wine + hiking) trails with a self-guided hike through the vineyards. In the northern part of the region near St. Paul is Lady Hill Winery, where you can taste a range of rich wines that have been carefully crafted from estate grapes. Alternatively, get off the beaten path with a visit to the Hanson Vineyards tasting room. This Woodburn spot specializes in pinot and aromatic whites like riesling and auxerrois and is part of the Cascade Foothills winery area, which prides itself on its quiet, family-run wineries. While the Salem area is a leading destination for wine lovers, the region also produces exceptional craft beer, cider and even spirits. To get a taste of the local beer scene, Salem’s own For Tomorrow We Die Brewing is a great place to start, offering ales, lagers, porters and stouts on tap and by the can. North WINE TOURS AND FOOD TRAILS THE GOOD VIBES TOUR This tour will pick up your group in a fully customized Mercedes Sprinter and take you on a tailored itinerary that everyone will enjoy. Whether you want to visit Willamette Valley wineries or offgrid breweries and distilleries, or have a special destination in mind for a family reunion, the van seats up to 10 and is fully equipped for good vibes. THE GREAT OAKS FOOD TRAIL This self-guided culinary journey includes 43 locally owned businesses that you can explore at your own pace. The Willamette Valley is renowned for growing cherries, blueberries, apples, hops and wine grapes — and this trail invites you to pick them at U-pick farms, enjoy them in craft beers and wines, grab them at farm stands, and savor them at local eateries. CRUSH WINE TOURS The more, the merrier when you book this all-inclusive tour of Willamette Valley wineries. Your group can choose the stretch limo, which fits eight people; the luxury limo-bus, which comfortably seats 14; or you can book the limo coach for your party of 25. Tasting with a small group? Join a pre-organized tour and only pay for the seats you use. MARION COUNTY FARM LOOP Visit up to 30 farms and meet local growers, just a few minutes outside of Salem. This self-guided loop is the perfect way to pick seasonal produce and flowers, gobble up farm-fresh pies and goodies, and savor Willamette Valley vintages. It’s also a wonderful excuse to spend time outdoors with family and friends. of town in Woodburn, TopWire Hop Project serves craft beers from across Oregon in a lively indooroutdoor pub space that’s also smack in the middle of a hop field. West of Salem in Independence, Brew Coffee & Taphouse serves as a community hub and offers a rotating selection of local craft beer and cider flights. Independence also has its own craft distillery, Divine Distillers. Swing by its tasting room to sample various brandies, rums and seasonally inspired amaros infused with local plants. At Benedictine Brewery in Mount Angel, the ales and lagers are brewed in a centuries-old monastic tradition by monks at the nearby Mount Angel Abbey. It’s one of very few monastic breweries in the U.S. For cider fans, head to Salt Creek Cider House in Dallas for small-batch drinks made from Willamette Valley apples and pears. Try Freedom, a signature cider made from century-old apple trees and foraged apples from neighboring orchards. Joshua Rainey Crush Wine Bar Salt Creek Cider House Joshua Rainey 15 TravelSalem.com
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