Hey there. My husband and I are going to wine country at the end of September. Looking forward to drinking some great pinot noir and enjoying some cooler weather (compared to FL)! We are flying into Portland and plan to stay a couple days there, then head to wine country. Is this a good time to be going or are we making a mistake. Are there better times to go? We don't love crowds, but if it is crowded, there must be a reason. So what is it? Any cool wineries or other fun things to do in Portland? We are a very spirited 50 years of age. Anything only the locals know about that would be interesting?

Thanks!

That is a great time to come visit! Depending on the rest of our summer weather, you will probably be here during crush. That is always fun as you will get to see the wineries in full operation.

Our crowds are nothing, and honestly, the only time the wineries are really crowded is when there are big open house weekends, which is twice a year (Memorial Day Wknd and Thanksgiving Wknd), so you are good

We have over 400 wineries in this AVA alone, so your biggest problem will be narrowing down your choices. This is the area where we live and we visit the wineries often. FWIW, the ones that I really like are Brick House, Arbor Brook, Seufert, Stoller, and Grochau. There are many more that are very good as well, but these give you a good variety. Stoller is the only one of these that is huge, the others are small production, which is my personal favorite as you get wines you will not find elsewhere.

It is very easy to drive yourselves to do this, but if you are interested in a tour so that you can both taste without worry, take a look at www.anoseforwine.com . Fred and his wife are excellent! Even with living here, I have been on their tour, which was nice as we had run into his tours at various wineries and his clients would always rave about him. After the tour, I could definitely see why.

Anyway, if you have more questions just ask

I think you're going at an ideal time. Somewhere around mid to late October, the weather turns cool and overcast/rainy, and it stays that way until spring. September should be gorgeous.

You may be there during harvest, which is a high-spirited time. The only downside is that some of the smaller wineries close their tasting rooms because it's all hands on deck--but that's a minority.

(Actually, harvest is projected to be over by end of September in 2016. But you never know.)

In Portland, I try never to skip a visit to Deschuttes or Rogue--don't know if you're beer enthusiasts as well as wine greeters I love Powell's City of Books--a sqaure block of new and used books, what's not to like?? We also like to stop at Clear Creek Distillery on the way in from the airport.

I was cross posting with mms, who gives THE best Willamette and Portland advice

Now I'm dreaming of a return visit, so here are a few of our favorites, in no particular order:

Bergstrom
Cristom (possibly our single favorite producer)
Elk Cove
Archery Summit
Domaine Drouhin
Penner-Ash
Sokol Blosser
Ponzi
Brick House

I will only put in a plug that you could also visit the up-and-coming wine region around Hood River and east through the Columbia Gorge, for a sort of two-area tour. The Hood River Valley will also have the advantage of the fruit harvest in full swing, and farther east, around Maryhill, you'll probably still have great weather, too.

Adding to the lists:
Four Graces (Dundee)
Winderlea (Dundee)
Trisaetum (NW of Newberg)
Ken Wright (Carlton)
Carlton Winemakers Studio (ummm...?)
Seven of Hearts/Luminous Hills (Carlton)

And if you do make it to Cristom:
Witness Tree
St. Innocent
Bethel Heights

We had a warm spring, but summer is starting off slowly, so it's hard to say when harvest will take place. Regardless, September is a great time to come.

Fun things to do in Portland? We haven't yet, but one of these days.... https://www.brewgrouppdx.com/brewcycle/.

And just so you know, they roll up the sidewalks early in wine country, so if "spirited 50" includes nightlife, consider doing wine country as day trips from Portland. The heart of it, where most of the mentioned wineries are located, is within 35 - 40 miles of the city.

Thanks to all. Great ideas and everyone I have spoken to has said Domaine Drouhin and Ken Wright is the place to taste wine! I am looking at lodging in Portland/Dundee/McMinnville and I am now becoming intrigued with Astoria on the water. Is there anything memorable we might take the time to drive out there? I note that the major chains don't seem to be represented, so would it be safe to say that it is pretty rustic there. Is it worth spending the time driving there?