SALEM IS MOPO BEER, WINE & CIDER WELCOME TO WINE COUNTRY Oregon’s oldest continuously operating winery, Honeywood Winery, is located right in Salem. It was originally established as a distillery back in 1933 but now specializes in fruit wines. Drop by to browse the wines and gourmet gifts at the Honeywood shop or stick around for a tasting — appointments aren’t required. West of downtown, Andante Vineyard invites visitors to taste small-batch pinots, gamay noir, sauvignon blanc and aligoté. Book ahead for wine flights paired with seasonal bites, monthly dinners, pizza weekends and quarterly cooking classes with wine tasting. From Andante, it’s just a short drive to Namaste Vineyards, which offers wine flights of their pinot, syrah and chardonnay in a relaxed tasting room. Check their website for popular events like live music in the beer, wine and cider Perhaps you’ve heard — the fertile Willamette Valley produces a renowned bounty of grapes, apples and hops. Fortunately, Salem sits right in the heart of this verdant stretch of land. As such, it’s no surprise that the area is packed with fantastic wineries, cideries and breweries. The only question is where to begin. afternoons and yoga and wine. A 20-minute drive from Namaste, Bethel Heights Vineyard has been producing fine Willamette Valley wines — notably pinot noir and chardonnay — since the early 1980s. This celebrated, herbicide-free vineyard takes sustainability seriously, obtaining around 60% of its energy from solar panels on the property. Head south to the town of Turner to visit Willamette Valley Vineyards, where you can taste exceptional pinots and chardonnay in a serene setting with elegant fireplaces, expansive vineyard views and a 65-foot lookout tower. Reserve ahead and enjoy seasonal food pairings from the winery chef like saffron risotto with pinot noir or a savory blue cheese steak salad with syrah. The private tour and tasting offered dives deep into the history of Oregon wine. Andrea Johnson / Willamette Valley Visitors Association Willamette Valley Vineyards TravelSalem.com 28
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