We were forced to change our trip to Napa at the last minute (like a day and a half before we were supposed to fly out) due to the wicked (and unpredictable) wildfires. We headed to Willamette Valley again instead, since we weren't flying from home and had our wine luggage with us. It's beautiful there in the fall, although chilly, and we weren't packed for that. Before flying out, I stopped off to get us each a long-sleeved shirt and myself a water resistant long jacket.
The wineries marked with * are on my highly recommend list
Lodging
Stacey's Loft from AirBnB - so glad it was available last minute. $341 total for three nights. Here's the review I left: We booked very last minute (like 2 days out), and I'm so happy that Stacey's loft was available. We used her place as our home base for Willamette Valley wine tasting, and it was amazing! Very clean, updated, quiet & private, well-appointed, stocked with snacks, good wifi, lots of channels to help us relax after long days, and loved the electric fireplace. Pictures on the listing don't do this place justice. This is perfect for a couple looking for somewhere quiet to just get away. I would definitely stay here again with no hesitation.
Wineries
Eola Hills - We started our tasting day at Eola Hills (opens early compared to most of the other wineries in this wine region - 10am). The tasting host, Katie, was very sweet, and we had a very nice visit with her. We enjoyed their Fossil Block pinot noir. I would recommend visiting this place for a quick sip and dash.
Van Duzer - This winery sits on a hill off of a rock-covered road. I'm sure that if it had not been cloudy or raining, sitting outside would have been lovely. Very good wines here and definitely worth a visit.
*Left Coast Cellars - We stopped here again for a quick bite to eat at their cafe. The leaves are just starting to change, and so the views on the way up are starting to get even more beautiful. This is a nice little stop, especially for a mid-day light lunch.+
Bethel Heights - Last time we visited, our taste buds were shot. I'm so glad we came back. We had a very nice visit with the winemaker's wife, Mindy - such a sweetheart! Ben's wines are absolutely stellar. The Casteel is amazing but pricey. We came home with Justice. Would definitely recommend as this is a cute family-run winery with pretty views.
*Cristom - What can I see about this one? Hmmmm. We joined the wine club - enough said. 75% of the wines we tasted were wonderful. The pinot gris here has so much depth and roundness to it and is not your average stripped out pinot gris. LOVED this place and highly recommend adding it to your visit list.
Coelho - This is a winery founded by a Portuguese family, and so their wines are a bit different. Nancy (ironically married to the winemaker, Steve, at Eola Hills) guided us through the tasting. The tasting room is beautiful and would make for a long-relaxed tasting with friends. The wines are definitely drinkable. We walked away with a bottle of their petite syrah. The ruby port was good but nothing special.
*Argyle - We are wine club members here. I like that they send me a free bottle of brut for my birthday, and they are known for their sparkling wines. What surprised me about this place is that they have a chardonnay that drinks like a Napa-chard - somewhere between Markham and Rombauer. Nice oak and long finish, beautiful golden color. If you are visiting the Valley, you must visit Argyle in Dundee.
King Estate (Eugene) - Reminded me of Cakebread - overrated. A couple good finds, but please don't waste a visit here.
*Silvan Ridge (Eugene) - I can neither confirm nor deny that we joined the wine club here. Seriously good wine. The Argentinian winemaker really knows his stuff! Great tempranillo and red blend. The tasting room hostess, Cathie, is such a sweetie. She hails for California wine country and really knows her stuff. We got an impromptu tour and mingled a bit with current wine club members who were there for pick-up. This place is beautiful to boot!
*Sarver (north of Eugene)- We weren't planning to stop here but ended up behind a VERY slow truck that we couldn't pass. Well, we said, why not? So glad we did. The views are gorgeous, and Ian was knowledgeable and friendly. You will not be sorry you stopped here if you are in the area.
Benton-Lane (north of Eugene) - Cute little winery. Stop only if you have the time.
*Willakenzie - This winery has beautiful views, good wine, and a lot of places to sit with friends. I'm sure that local wine club members would have a great time visiting. For someone just stopping by for a quick visit, the atmosphere may beg you to stay a bit longer.
*Elk Cove - This is a gorgeous property with rows of grapes and a wonderful pond. All of the pinot noirs here are stellar. I dare you not to find many that you don't enjoy.
Kramer - stopped at the downtown Carlton tasting room where the daughter of the wine founders, Rebecca, was working. Very interesting wine flavors. Nice for a stop but don't go out of your way for this small-production operation.
Erath- Had no idea how big this place is in terms of case production. They have great pinots that you can't buy in mass retail, but it's kind of commercial feeling. The Knudsen vineyard here provides grapes for Argyle, which I thought was kind of cool.
Food
OurDaily Bread (Eugene) - This place was recommended by a couple different wineries, so of course we had to stop off here for lunch. The food is good, and the fact that the restaurant opened in an old church was kind of cool. Definitely has a religious vibe to it.
Farmers Plate & Pantry - The last time we were in Carlton we had a great lunch at the Horse Radish, but we wanted to try a different place. Farmers Plate fit the bill. There is a rotating menu on a chalk board because they make the food with local, seasonal ingredients. The pizza and garlic knots were really good. It was pretty busy during lunch, but the food was still prepped quickly in their open kitchen. Super cool concept.
Ruddick/Wood - We weren't terribly hungry but knew we needed to eat dinner, so we stopped at Ruddick/Wood in Newberg. We ate at the tavern bar. Good food, friendly staff.
The wineries marked with * are on my highly recommend list
Lodging
Stacey's Loft from AirBnB - so glad it was available last minute. $341 total for three nights. Here's the review I left: We booked very last minute (like 2 days out), and I'm so happy that Stacey's loft was available. We used her place as our home base for Willamette Valley wine tasting, and it was amazing! Very clean, updated, quiet & private, well-appointed, stocked with snacks, good wifi, lots of channels to help us relax after long days, and loved the electric fireplace. Pictures on the listing don't do this place justice. This is perfect for a couple looking for somewhere quiet to just get away. I would definitely stay here again with no hesitation.
Wineries
Eola Hills - We started our tasting day at Eola Hills (opens early compared to most of the other wineries in this wine region - 10am). The tasting host, Katie, was very sweet, and we had a very nice visit with her. We enjoyed their Fossil Block pinot noir. I would recommend visiting this place for a quick sip and dash.
Van Duzer - This winery sits on a hill off of a rock-covered road. I'm sure that if it had not been cloudy or raining, sitting outside would have been lovely. Very good wines here and definitely worth a visit.
*Left Coast Cellars - We stopped here again for a quick bite to eat at their cafe. The leaves are just starting to change, and so the views on the way up are starting to get even more beautiful. This is a nice little stop, especially for a mid-day light lunch.+
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| Driving up to Left Coast Cellars |
Bethel Heights - Last time we visited, our taste buds were shot. I'm so glad we came back. We had a very nice visit with the winemaker's wife, Mindy - such a sweetheart! Ben's wines are absolutely stellar. The Casteel is amazing but pricey. We came home with Justice. Would definitely recommend as this is a cute family-run winery with pretty views.
*Cristom - What can I see about this one? Hmmmm. We joined the wine club - enough said. 75% of the wines we tasted were wonderful. The pinot gris here has so much depth and roundness to it and is not your average stripped out pinot gris. LOVED this place and highly recommend adding it to your visit list.
Coelho - This is a winery founded by a Portuguese family, and so their wines are a bit different. Nancy (ironically married to the winemaker, Steve, at Eola Hills) guided us through the tasting. The tasting room is beautiful and would make for a long-relaxed tasting with friends. The wines are definitely drinkable. We walked away with a bottle of their petite syrah. The ruby port was good but nothing special.
*Argyle - We are wine club members here. I like that they send me a free bottle of brut for my birthday, and they are known for their sparkling wines. What surprised me about this place is that they have a chardonnay that drinks like a Napa-chard - somewhere between Markham and Rombauer. Nice oak and long finish, beautiful golden color. If you are visiting the Valley, you must visit Argyle in Dundee.
King Estate (Eugene) - Reminded me of Cakebread - overrated. A couple good finds, but please don't waste a visit here.
*Silvan Ridge (Eugene) - I can neither confirm nor deny that we joined the wine club here. Seriously good wine. The Argentinian winemaker really knows his stuff! Great tempranillo and red blend. The tasting room hostess, Cathie, is such a sweetie. She hails for California wine country and really knows her stuff. We got an impromptu tour and mingled a bit with current wine club members who were there for pick-up. This place is beautiful to boot!
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| Silvan Ridge and our good-bye party. |
Benton-Lane (north of Eugene) - Cute little winery. Stop only if you have the time.
*Willakenzie - This winery has beautiful views, good wine, and a lot of places to sit with friends. I'm sure that local wine club members would have a great time visiting. For someone just stopping by for a quick visit, the atmosphere may beg you to stay a bit longer.
*Elk Cove - This is a gorgeous property with rows of grapes and a wonderful pond. All of the pinot noirs here are stellar. I dare you not to find many that you don't enjoy.
Kramer - stopped at the downtown Carlton tasting room where the daughter of the wine founders, Rebecca, was working. Very interesting wine flavors. Nice for a stop but don't go out of your way for this small-production operation.
Erath- Had no idea how big this place is in terms of case production. They have great pinots that you can't buy in mass retail, but it's kind of commercial feeling. The Knudsen vineyard here provides grapes for Argyle, which I thought was kind of cool.
Food
OurDaily Bread (Eugene) - This place was recommended by a couple different wineries, so of course we had to stop off here for lunch. The food is good, and the fact that the restaurant opened in an old church was kind of cool. Definitely has a religious vibe to it.
Farmers Plate & Pantry - The last time we were in Carlton we had a great lunch at the Horse Radish, but we wanted to try a different place. Farmers Plate fit the bill. There is a rotating menu on a chalk board because they make the food with local, seasonal ingredients. The pizza and garlic knots were really good. It was pretty busy during lunch, but the food was still prepped quickly in their open kitchen. Super cool concept.
Ruddick/Wood - We weren't terribly hungry but knew we needed to eat dinner, so we stopped at Ruddick/Wood in Newberg. We ate at the tavern bar. Good food, friendly staff.
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| This pretty much sums up the beauty that is Willamette Valley |
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