Oregon Feature

Short of tropical fruit, there aren't too many types of food that don't grow somewhere in Oregon. Myriad fish and shellfish species dwell off the coast, while tree fruits line the windswept Columbia Gorge, and berries grow wild and on farms in the fertile Willamette Valley. A host of other fruits, vegetables, greens, and produce thrive in the temperate climate. Ranch lands, dairy farms, and acres of wheat and other crops round out an abundance that changes with the seasons. Oregonians celebrate the state's range of ingredients in memorable dishes and drinks.

Natural Bounty

Few states can match Oregon's agricultural diversity, which is good news for both chefs and food-crazy locals.

Nuts: There's a reason why hazelnuts—also known as filberts—are the official state nut. Oregon produces 99 percent of the country's hazelnuts, which add a toasty-sweet flavor to meat, salads, desserts, coffee drinks, and more.

Berries: Blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries thrive in the lush Willamette Valley. But the state is home to lesser-known berries highlighted in local preserves, baked goods, and sweet sauces. Subtly tart loganberries are a cross between blackberries and red raspberries. Marionberries have a slightly earthy flavor, and are sometimes dubbed "the cabernet of blackberries."

Produce: Farmers' markets and restaurant menus are filled with locally grown staples like mushrooms, rhubarb, lettuce, onions, beans, potatoes, apples, and pears.

Cheese: Open an Oregonian's refrigerator and you're likely to find a fat yellow brick (or a diminutive "baby loaf") of Tillamook cheddar from the century-old collective of coastal creameries. The state's broad swaths of grazing lands generate milk that fuels artisanal cheese producers. Some of the country's best blue cheese comes from the Rogue Creamery in southern Oregon.

Microbrews: German immigrants arriving in the mid-19th century launched an Oregon tradition of transforming the state's clear, clean water supply and grain crops into distinctive brews. Today the state is home to several larger breweries, like Widmer Brothers and Bridgeport Brewing Company, and scores of smaller producers.

Seafood

With 362 mi of coastline, bays, tide flats, and estuaries, Oregon has a stunning variety of fish and shellfish off its shores. Restaurants and locals are attuned to the seasons, from the start of Dungeness season to the best months for oysters.

Salmon: Oregonians know king salmon as chinook salmon, but make no mistake—the largest Pacific salmon reigns as the prize catch of the state's native cuisine. Silvery coho salmon also swim in the state's coastal rivers. Oregon salmon is phenomenal simply grilled or roasted. Perhaps the most indigenous way to cook salmon is to smoke it, a practice that dates back to Native American dwellers.

Crab: Dungeness crab may be named for a town in Washington, but Oregon harvests more of these prized crustaceans than any other state. They are a delicacy simply boiled and served whole, but picked meat often appears in crab cakes or as a focal point in modern regional dishes.

Shellfish: Low tide on Oregon's beaches can yield thin razor clams or a variety of bay clams. Mussels also grow in clusters along rocky costal stretches. Both are delicious steamed (perhaps in an Oregon wine or beer) or in a creamy chowder.

Ocean fish: Pacific halibut, sole, sturgeon, hake, lingcod, and the prized albacore tuna are all fished off the Oregon coast. The Columbia River also offers up freshwater favorites like steelhead trout and Columbia River sturgeon.

New American Cuisine

By now chefs across the country are in the throes of the farm-to-table movement, but in Oregon the close connection between chef and producer has long bypassed trend status. It's simply how things are done. Restaurants like Wildwood, Higgins, and Paley's Place were producing organic, locally sourced dishes long before these approaches became national ideals.

Cuisine here tends to be modern and unfussy—a simple, slightly edgy celebration of what grows nearby. Dishes can have Asian, French, or other global influences, but the ingredients ground them solidly in the Northwest. However there is perhaps no more authentically Oregon preparation of meat or fish than cooking it with a crust of hazelnuts.

Portland is assuredly the epicenter of the state's restaurant scene, but wine-country tourism has helped spread noteworthy cuisine to the Willamette Valley and the coastal wine region.

Since it was first inhabited, Oregon has looked to the ocean to feed its population. However eastern Oregon cattle ranches provide a ready supply of sustainably raised beef that chefs love to showcase. The recent nose-to-tail dining trend has generated interest in other meats, including rabbit, pork, goat, and lamb, sourced from Oregon farms.

Wine

Pinot noir grapes have been the central force of Oregon winemaking since the industry took root in the 1960s. Frustrated by Pinot's poor performance in California, a few intrepid winemakers headed north to test out Oregon's cooler climate. Since then, the state has built an international reputation as a paradise of Pinot Noir.

The Willamette Valley's climate is similar to that of France's Burgundy region, where Pinot Noir grapes have reigned for centuries. The rich farmland on the valley floor isn't optimal for grape growing; most vineyards spread across the hillsides that ring the valley, taking advantage of higher elevation, thinner soil, and cool ocean breezes.

Oregon played a central role in America's rediscovery of this famously finicky grape. Today the state is the country's top producer of Pinot Noir. Oregon has 16 official wine-growing regions, though the vast majority of wineries are clustered in the Willamette Valley. Grapes also flourish in parts of southern Oregon and the Columbia Valley along the Washington border.

After Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris is the second most prevalent wine varietal in the state. The delicate, fruity white wine is somewhat of an unsung hero, since its darker Pinot cousin earns so much acclaim. Chardonnay and Riesling round out the state's top wines. Oregon wines are generally highly affordable, and deliver a great value for the money.

Unencumbered by the winemaking traditions of France, or even California, Oregon vintners have taken the lead in growing organic grapes and producing wines using sustainable methods.