Seattle - October 26, 2009
Pinot Your Way Around
Road Trip to Willamette Valley Wine Country
Ahem. We’d like to make a toast. Here’s to your health — that someone soon discovers a cure-all for hangovers. Here’s to your happiness — let a pretty lad and a vacation be all you require.
You’ll drink to that, certainly.
Earthy Delights
Start in the Chehalem Mountain region just north of Newberg, Oregon. Adelsheim Vineyard’s wines live up to their pretty labels. Bergström Wines’s lovely views and award-winning sips — don’t skip the chardonnay — will cause you to linger. Sleek and modern, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars offers sweeping views of the valley and wine-making space.
Wine Legs
Let Pedal Bike Tours provide you with wheels and show you to the different wineries. Use this map to plan where you want to go.
Palate Cleanse
Wine and dine on French food at Cuvée in Carlton. But do not miss out on a flawless meal prepared from regional ingredients at The Painted Lady (201 South College Street; 503-538-3850) in Newberg.
Apellation Temptation
Dundee Hills’s winding roads traverse through vineyards and established wineries. Archery Summit, Erath Winery, Domaine Drouhin, and Domaine Serene are just some of the scenic and delicious stops to make.
Varietal Pack
Take to the air to admire the colorful landscape in a hot-air balloon from Vista Balloon Adventures. When you descend, Lafayette Schoolhouse Mall has rooms of kitsch as well as classic antique furniture and china.
Elegant Aftertaste
When it’s time to rest your head, newly opened Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg offers a luxury boutique experience from a local Willamette family. Be sure to book an appointment in the state-of-the-art salon and spa for some serious pampering.
Talk about your pleasant finish.
Keep on truckin’. For more road trip ideas, go to dailycandy.com/guides.
Photos: Getty Images; Courtesy of Vista Baloon Adventures; Courtesy of The Allison Inn & Spa
Posted by winegeek on Oct 26, 2009 2:54:43 PM
Great article with excellent recommendations. Know the area well. AOC Travel Guides (www.aoctravelguides.com) has an iPhone app out that focuses on under-the-radar wineries. Make sure you visit August Cellars in Newgerg. They have a great value Pinot Noir and a Marechal Foche (very rare grape to mind - not my favorite but "exotic"), they also have tenant wineries that make outstanding 90+ Pinot - Et Filles). For food we loved La Rambla in McMinnville (Spanish style tapas)
Most POPULAR ARTICLES
Posted by angreat on Nov 4, 2009 3:24:33 PM
Actually, the best new restaurant in McMinnville (and my favorite new restaurant in OR) is Thistle! It is small, owner operated, adorable decor and the staff is wonderful. The food is local, seasonal and ALWAYS interesting. Not the same ol' typical dishes, that's for sure! Oh and order the Love & Squalor Pinot noir. It's amazing!