My contract for work hit a funding snag and I’m unexpectedly off until Tuesday. Anyone have any sleepers they have gone to within 2-3 hrs of Portland? Done a lot of the early vines and big names. Looking for something unique or great QPR. Thanks
I assume you mean Portland OR and not Portland ME. Most wineries in the Willamette/Yamhill Valleys charge tasting fees. Many of the “sleepers” are only open by appointment and most of the wine is Pinot. What are you looking for?
I’ve also heard good things about HillCrest Vineyard from winemakers in Seattle. From a quick look on the interwebs they have some unique varietals to try. Probably too far from Portland at nearly 4 hours though.
Some nice boutique wineries in the Chehalem Mountain AVA, about a half hour SW of Portland. We did a loop while we were there, stopping at 4 wineries within relatively close proximity to one another and all were unique and enjoyable in their own way.
We were staying in Hillsboro so started the day at Hawks View Winery then on to Alloro Vineyard followed by Raptor Ridge Winery then finishing up at Ponzi Vineyards. Ponzi had some nice wines but their tastings are expensive and they don’t credit you back for the tasting if you buy wine, unlike the others.
It’s a nice little scenic mountain route that is fun to drive and the view from each of the wineries is far-reaching and spectacular.
My son went to Willamette University for 4 years and we made many trips to that wine country. If I only had one day, I would head to Dundee. Besides the wineries, there are many outstanding places to eat. Most wineries will have Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, occasionally a chardonnay and some other varietals. In that region I would choose from: Argyle (sparklers), Winter’s Hill, Lange (difficult to get to), Willakenzie, Penner-Ash, Sokol Blosser, or Stoller. If you are willing to go further south, our favorite Pinot Noir was in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Bethel Heights. A little south of there, towards Salem, is the Willamette Valley Cheese Co., no wine, but outstanding cheeses.
When you are done tasting and ready to buy, head back to Newberg and go to the Fred Meyer (no kidding). When we were up there regularly, about 5 years ago, they had a sommelier on staff and a HUGE selection of local wines from all the AVAs at discount prices.
I assume you mean Portland OR and not Portland ME. Most wineries in the Willamette/Yamhill Valleys charge tasting fees. Many of the “sleepers” are only open by appointment and most of the wine is Pinot. What are you looking for?
Spangler if you make it that far south. They used to make a Petite Sirah and have a solid lineup from what I remember.
I’ve also heard good things about HillCrest Vineyard from winemakers in Seattle. From a quick look on the interwebs they have some unique varietals to try. Probably too far from Portland at nearly 4 hours though.
Some nice boutique wineries in the Chehalem Mountain AVA, about a half hour SW of Portland. We did a loop while we were there, stopping at 4 wineries within relatively close proximity to one another and all were unique and enjoyable in their own way.
We were staying in Hillsboro so started the day at Hawks View Winery then on to Alloro Vineyard followed by Raptor Ridge Winery then finishing up at Ponzi Vineyards. Ponzi had some nice wines but their tastings are expensive and they don’t credit you back for the tasting if you buy wine, unlike the others.
It’s a nice little scenic mountain route that is fun to drive and the view from each of the wineries is far-reaching and spectacular.
My son went to Willamette University for 4 years and we made many trips to that wine country. If I only had one day, I would head to Dundee. Besides the wineries, there are many outstanding places to eat. Most wineries will have Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, occasionally a chardonnay and some other varietals. In that region I would choose from: Argyle (sparklers), Winter’s Hill, Lange (difficult to get to), Willakenzie, Penner-Ash, Sokol Blosser, or Stoller. If you are willing to go further south, our favorite Pinot Noir was in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Bethel Heights. A little south of there, towards Salem, is the Willamette Valley Cheese Co., no wine, but outstanding cheeses.
When you are done tasting and ready to buy, head back to Newberg and go to the Fred Meyer (no kidding). When we were up there regularly, about 5 years ago, they had a sommelier on staff and a HUGE selection of local wines from all the AVAs at discount prices.