PROFILE THE ZIELINSKI FAMILY Ed Zielinski planted the seeds of the E.Z. Orchards legacy when he founded the company in 1929. Ed worked hard on the original Hazel Green farm, usually wearing an old Pendleton shirt and a fedora while his son Stephen delivered apples, pears and peaches to customers in the area. Jump forward to 1992 and Stephen’s son, John, opened E.Z. Orchards Farm Market, the Salem community’s first market selling local fruits, vegetables and homemade goods yearround. In 1994 the family held its first HarvestFest and, two years later, John added apple-cider doughnuts and the shortcake stand to the market’s lineup. In 2009 Kevin Zielinski took the company in a new direction, producing farm-crafted cider. E.Z. Orchards’ signature cider is crafted from heirloom Roman Beauty apples, which have been growing on the farm since Ed worked the fields in his fedora. Stop by on the Marion County Farm Loop for crisp cider, shortcake piled high with fresh strawberries, apple-cider doughnuts, gifts, and fruits and vegetables. EZOrchards.com BEER While the Salem area is known for its wine, the brewery scene is equally on point. In fact, Oregon is the secondlargest hop producer in the U.S., and almost all of the state’s hops grow in the Willamette Valley. Some of the region’s finest breweries are located right in Salem, including Xicha Brewing, the only Latinx brewery in the Pacific Northwest. Stop by its West Salem brewpub to sample its house-brewed creations, including ale aged in tequila barrels, Mexican-style lager and guava-flavored sour ale. If you’re feeling hungry, there’s an extensive menu filled with Latin-inspired mainstays such as empanadas and tacos. With two locations in Salem and one in Independence, Gilgamesh Brewing is another exceptional area brewery, offering a small but consistent selection of ales along with a lager and a hefeweizen. In the nearby town of Turner, Angel’s Share Barrel House is a classic taphouse with historic vibes. Located in a former church that dates back to 1891, the vast and rotating tap list offers local favorites from Anthem cherry cider to Silver Falls Country Drive. Check the schedule for live music, trivia nights and stand-up comedy. The food menu focuses on comfort fare, serving up snacky deep-fried pickles, baskets of wings with savory dipping sauces and fry-bread tacos. CIDER More of a cider fan? Salem’s got you covered. La Familia Cider Company crafts innovative ciders inspired by Mexico’s traditional aguas frescas, with flavors such as guayaba (guava), tamarindo (tamarind) and Jamaica (hibiscus), made without artificial flavors. Visit their tap house on Court Street near Riverfront Park. Head 20 minutes west to Dallas and taste ciders in a nostalgic red barn at Salt Creek Cider House. This family-owned cidery sells farm-crafted ciders made from a wide variety of heirloom cider apples. Try Freedom, its signature cider. Bauman’s Century Farm Cider offers year-round ciders such as Clyde’s Dry or All the Berries, a semisweet cider with blueberries, raspberries and marionberries. Seasonal ciders include Peach Bellini, a brunch favorite, or Strawberry Mojito, among others. Claire Zielinski of E.Z. Orchards Joshua Rainey 29 TravelSalem.com
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