Oregon Wine: Day Trip from Portland (Photos)

The Willamette Valley is Oregon’s premier wine region. With a milder climate than any growing area in California, cool-climate grapes like Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris thrive here, and are being transformed into world-class wines. We’ve picked our favorite wineries, tasting rooms, and restaurants for this wine-fueled itinerary. The Chehalem Mountain and Ribbon Ridge AVAs highlighted here offer more than 150 vineyards. Best of all, the region is less than an hour away from Portland, making for an easy day trip. Start out early, especially on weekends, and don’t forget your designated driver.
By Dave Sandage and John Doerper

Stop 1: Ponzi Vineyards

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Old Pinot Noir vines at Ponzi Vineyards.

Old Pinot Noir vines at Ponzi Vineyards.

First planted in 1970, Ponzi has some of Oregon’s oldest Pinot Noir vines. In addition to current releases, the tasting room sometimes offers older library wines.
Try: Arneis, a crisp Italian white varietal.
14665 SW Winery La., Beaverton 503/628–1227
Ponzi Vineyards website

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's The Willamette Valley and Wine Country Travel Guide

Photo: Polara Studio

Stop 2: Rex Hill Vineyards

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Before grapevines, the Willamette Valley was widely planted with fruits and nuts. Enjoy classic Oregon Pinot Noir in this tasting room built around an old fruit and nut drying facility.
Try: dark and spicy Dundee Hills Pinot Noir.
30835 N. Hwy. 99W, Newberg 800/739–4455
Rex Hill Vineyards website

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's The Willamette Valley and Wine Country Travel Guide

Photo: Rex Hill

Stop 3: Fox Farm Tasting Room

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Fox Farm's tasting room in Newberg.

Fox Farm's tasting room in Newberg.

In addition to offering their own wines, this multi-winery tasting room in downtown Newberg features samples from several small local producers. The menu changes periodically. 
602 E. First St., Newberg 503/538–8466
Fox Farm Vineyards website

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's The Willamette Valley and Wine Country Travel Guide

Photo: Fox Farm Vineyards

Stop 4: Utopia Vineyard

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Utopia Vineyard's tasting room.

Utopia Vineyard's tasting room.

The tasting room at this small Oregon winery is quite intimate—you’ll likely be served by the winemaker himself. 
Try: light and slightly sweet Rosé.
17445 N.E. Ribbon Ridge Rd., Newberg 503/298–7841,
Utopia Vineyard website

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's The Willamette Valley and Wine Country Travel Guide

Photo: Troy Zdzieblowski

Stop 5: Adelsheim Vineyard

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The terrace at Adelsheim's new estate tasting room.

The terrace at Adelsheim's new estate tasting room.

One of Oregon’s older Pinot Noir producers, Adelsheim has just opened a new tasting room inside its modern winery, with friendly, knowledgeable employees.
Try: dark and smoky Elizabeth’s Reserve Pinot Noir.
16800 N.E. Calkins La., Newberg 503/538–3652
Adelsheim Vineyard website

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's The Willamette Valley and Wine Country Travel Guide

Photo: CWK Photography

Stop 6: Bergstrom Winery

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Bergstrom has a beautiful vineyard and tasting room, but the real high point here is the classic Oregon Pinot Noir sourced from several of its estate vineyards as well as other local sites.
Try: earthy Bergstrom Pinot Noir.  
18215 N.E. Calkins La., Newberg 503/554–0468
Bergstrom Winery website

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's The Willamette Valley and Wine Country Travel Guide

Photo: CWK Photography

Stop 7: Subterra Restaurant

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Go to Subterra for casual fine dining in a wine cellar atmosphere underneath the popular Dark Horse wine bar. The menu features global cuisine and a good selection of local wines. 
1505 Portland Rd., Newberg  503/538–6060
Subterra Restaurant website

Plan Your Trip: Fodor's The Willamette Valley and Wine Country Travel Guide

Photo: After tasting wines all day, enjoy a refined dinner at Subterra.

Member Comments (1)  Post a Comment

  • RWBentley on Sep 21, 11 at 10:10 AM

    This list lacks some really great winery stops_for one, Willakenzie Estates,which is a show place with a real story of innovation, wine education, including viniculture, pioneering technology and superb educational programs. Others like St. Innocent, Bethel heights, Domaine Drouhin are excellent as well. The smaller but intimate and great wineries like Eyrie, a historic pioneer of both Pinot Noir and the first Pinot Gris in America, and Beau Freres (aka "the pig farm" may appear rustic, but have great reputations and real stories. Extend the Willamette Valley range to include Willamette valley where the tasting room and the magnificent scenic setting are without peer as beautiful settings that also produce great wines. On several visits to the area as a wine educator and writer, I found Bergstrom somewhat less hospitable and chinzy on tastings to put them on this list. Why not Chehalem on the list- a major leader in the Oregon development of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay standards with one of its very best winemakers, a nice, intimate tasting room, geared to the serious taster, not the "bus stops here" wine tourist crowd in tennis shoes.

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