Oregon itinerary- first draft- need suggestions
 

Okay- so here's the first draft and I have lots of questions, but I know the Oregon crew can help.

Leaving Mendocino,Ca on Sat,June 28. Final destination-Portland (flying home on July 5)

Sat. -Drive from Mendo to Gold Beach (Overleaf Lodge?)coast road thru the Redwoods.

Sunday- Drive up coast from Gold Beach to Yachats (or should we keep driving further north?)

Monday & Tuesday - stay near Newberg and spend 2 days wine tasting.

Wed thru Sat (july 5) Portland

I know that Monday & Tuesday a lot of wineries are closed, so that's problem #1. Do you know how easy it is to make appts at the smaller places? If it's a real problem, then we need to stay in Portland from Monday to Saturday and do day trips to the wineries.

Problem #2 - we were going to return our rental car when we got to Portland to avoid steep hotel parking lot fees, but we will need it if we do the day trips. Do you know anywhere to stay that has free/cheap parking?

Another question... what's open on July 4? Is that a good day to tour wineries? Are there lots of activities in Portland that day?

I'm sure I'll have lots more questions, but that should keep you all busy for now!

I am not super familiar with the area but I do know that Overleaf Lodge is in Yachats, not Gold Beach. We stayed at the Overleaf Lodge for 5 days and it was fantastic---beautiful location right on the water, comfortable rooms, and reasonable prices. Definitely stay there, which means you would need to stop in Yachats!

Whoops! You're right! I'm at work and don't have my notes, but I had a possible place in Gold Beach picked out also. For Yachats, I like the Overleaf Lodge. Looks great.

Newberg is not a very interesting town to stay in. I would opt for either one of the B&B's or hotels in McMinnville/Dundee area or else stay in Portland and do day trips. The nicest play in Newberg is the Travellodge, to give you an idea.

Dundee has a couple restaurants, but otherwise that is is for the downtown. There are wineries and B&B's further out, but no downtown to speak of.

McMinnville has a thriving downtown, with several tasting rooms there. So that might be a good fit. Carlton is a much smaller downtown than Mac, but it is nice and has a tasting room as well.

As far as visiting the wineries, it depends on which ones you are planning on. I would just make the calls and get a feel for it, and then plan accordingly.

I'd suggest spending more time on the coast--go further north to Cannon Beach after Yachats and spend 2 nights there rather than in Newberg, then do the wineries as a day trip from Portland.

Yeah, I agree with NWWanderer; don't short-change the coast. Spend at least one night in Gold Beach and another two in Yachats before heading towards Portland. Especially if Tu Tu Tun is the place you have in mind for Gold Beach! Overleaf is a great choice too.

I doubt you'd have trouble making appointments at smaller wineries, but understand that if you're given a private tasting experience, they'll probably expect you'll be buying some wine. As mms suggests, get on the phone. Given that it's 4th of July week, winery schedules may vary from the norm. Do you have any particular wineries in mind?

Good suggestions. I guess I will start calling the places we're most interested in (most are appt only anyway) and see what they say. I have looked at the Hotel Oregon in McMinnville, but also the Wine Country Farm and Apple Road Farm B&B which are nearby.

Some of the wineries we are hoping to get to: Patricia Green, Anne Amie, Torii Mor, Chehalem, Owen Roe, Ayres,and Penner-Ash. There are more, but I can't think of them all right now. I realize there is no way to visit all of them.

So anybody know of any July 4 activities going on?

Portland has a humonguous fireworks show on the river. Brings in thousands of people.

Looks like a nice plan, Torii Mor has some nice Pinots, for more higher-end Pinots, check out Domaine Drouhin, Archery Summit & Domaine Serene. Going to Cannon Beach for a couple of nights would be fun! ***kim*** ((*))

Yes, Portland's annual Waterfront Blues Festival is held that weekend. It's a big deal here; and fun. Nice fireworks display afterwards on the 4th too.

I've not been to Owen Roe (great wines though) or Ayres, but suspect they are both taste-by-appointment-only places. And I know Patricia Green and Chehalem are.

A great shop in Portland (Pearl District on 11th &amp; Everett) is <b>In Good Taste</b>..they do wine tastings and have a small and very good selection of wines that you might want to look over..we got some great Pinot Noir ( actually, that is where my husband did our weekly wine shopping ) and the wine expert there - Fred - is very nice and helpful.
Those who visit Portland once a year should go there too, they carry a lot of labels that can be added to ones repertoire

2nd draft- here goes.....
June 26 - fly to OAK (arrive 9:00am). Drive to Healdsburg (stops along the way at a couple of wineries). Stay first night at Belle de Jour.

June 27- Spend the day in the Anderson Valley touring wineries. Sleep in Fort Bragg at the Harbor Lite Lodge.

June 28 - Drive to Gold Beach and stay at the Inn of the Beachcomber (Tu Tu Tun is too expensive!)

June 29- Drive up coast to Yachats and stay at the Overleaf Lodge

June 30- Drive to Portland (Still looking for a place to stay- see post above)

June 30-July 4- Take day trips to wineries (2 days) and a day trip to Columbia River Gorge (July 4?) and spend 1 full day in Portland.

Leave July 5.

Looking forward to your comments! Do you think the Columbia River Gorge will be a mob scene on July 4th?

Deb

Shoulda asked these questions earlier, but have you seen the Oregon coast, and have you been wine tasting here before? I think you might regret the time you've scheduled for both. How about spending the 30th on the coast, then driving to Portland through wine country, stopping at a couple places along the way. And heck, it's not as if you can't drink wine at the coast too!

Have you looked at Inn at Northrup Station for your Portland stay? Free parking I believe, and right on the streetcar line for easy access to the downtown core. Couple very nice restaurants nearby too.

I'd guess Columbia River Gorge beaches will be jammed on the 4th. But maybe less so the attractions along the Historic Highway. Not sure about that though.

beachbum,

Have never been to Oregon before at all. DH and I are avid wine enthusiasts and we enjoy visiting wineries. We intend to set up appts at several small wineries. We have spent a great deal of time in other wine regions around the world and U.S.

I will check out Northrup Station. Thanks!

I hear ya abqdeb. I'm an avid wine enthusiast too. Just don't expect Napa or Sonoma! ;-) (and you could easily plan stops at Torii Mor and Chehalem if you're driving into Portland on hwys 18/99 :-))

Penner Ash, Patricia Green, and Anne Amie are not far from eachother. And as long as you're there, consider Brick House, Beaux Freres, and Bergstrom. Also, I bet you'd like Carlton Winemaker's Studio, a co-op of sorts where several small producers share the facility. Andrew Rich is one; great wines.

beachbum,

Just about every winery you mentioned is on our list! Great minds (or palettes) must think alike. Don't you think we need 2 days to go to that many wineries? Since we're doing day trips out of Portland, we can always change our plans last minute if 1 day is enough. The day we drive from the coast to Portland is a Monday and I'm finding that most places are closed, but I see your point about stopping by a few on our way up.

BYW, I love the Northrup Station and they quoted me a price of $149 for their superior room with free parking and breakfast! I booked it, but might still see what Priceline has to offer.

Keep the ideas coming!

Yeah, you're right! Even with two days, you've probably already got more wineries than you'll have time for. Never-the-less, ever had anything from Westrey? Or Grochau? (I owe mms for that recommendation)

But be forewarned! You won't want to leave the Overleaf. Mesmerizing....

Hey deb, I was just reading your recs on a NM thread. My wife and I will be in Santa Fe again this fall for the Wine &amp; Chile Fiesta, and you've got me wondering if it might be worth our time to do any tasting at local wineries. What do you think? I remember not being too impressed a couple years ago tasting in a shop in downtown Santa Fe. The best thing about the bottle was that Amado Pena had done the label. ;-)

I just read your latest responses on that thread, which I think answered my question....

So, to get this back on track..... I remember seeing a few bottle of Oregon pinot noir, including the high profile Domaine Serene, at the Wine &amp; Chile Fiesta's main event a couple years ago? Have you been?

Beachbum,

We should get together when you're in town for the wine &amp; Chile festival! We can drink all the Pinot we bring back from Oregon,,, LOL.

Do not waste a moment's time with the wineries around here. You will taste much better stuff at the festival. We haven't gone to the one in SF, but we usually go the one in ABQ and we went to the winter fest in Taos this year which was lots of fun. You will enjoy, I'm sure!