It was the soil, climate and location that attracted Richard Sommer to the state of Oregon in 1961. California had just recently felt the boom from a thriving wine industry. Oregon, on the other hand, was an open frontier of grape-less valleys.
Forty-nine years later, 200 wineries produce wines sought nationally and internationally.
The once empty valley Sommer saw potential in has turned into one of Oregon’s best destinations.
Providing the shortest drive for students, Oregon wine country, located throughout the
Willamette Valley, starts around Portland and ends just south of Eugene in Cottage Grove. This section is the most traveled as locals and visitors drive along Interstate 5 to and from the major cities speckling the route. But jumping off the major highways and exploring the region along meandering side routes provides the best experience.
The attractions vary between age groups. Though the wineries themselves attract baby boomers and married couples, the farmers markets, covered bridges, hot-air balloon rides and miles upon miles of bike paths cater to other crowds.
Regardless, aside from the picturesque northern coast and metro-minded downtown Portland, wine country reigns as one of the most desirable destinations in the state.
Outside of each major city — Portland, Salem and Eugene — exists a notable winery. Less than a 35-minute drive away from Eugene, a series of local, well-renowned wineries lie in the heart of wine country. Although the drive is relatively short, the destination transports visitors to a completely different lifestyle.
Like the slow, quiet growth of the grapes, life in wine country is peaceful and calm. The process of growing and making wine is complex, but growers feel relaxed. The rolling hills lined with countless rows of vines provide scenery that complements the genuine comfort of the wine-growing community.
The best way to spend time in this area is to tour the wineries.
Unlike the larger wineries found to the south in Napa and Sonoma Valley, Oregon winery tours offer a more personal experience. In most cases, the owner or other knowledgeable winery guru guide tours and answer questions for any curious wine drinker. Tours of the storehouse and bottling areas are available at almost every location. The best part about this process is that it becomes apparent each wine producer has their own specific method of producing their wine that is an extension of their personality. Every tour typically ends with a purchase of wine, giving the visitor a lasting memory of the winery.
Away from the clanking of bottles and smashing of grapes, wine country offers quite a few other attractions. If sitting around sipping the red stuff isn’t the most appealing, touring the pleasantly changing landscape by bike is a great way to spend a day. During the summer months, roads are full of spandex-wearing road bikers digesting the landscape on two wheels.
These same views can also be seen from a different perspective: high above the valley in a hot-air balloon. The peaceful float above the valley led by a friendly hot-air balloon conductor is a lifetime must.
These balloon rides will surely pass over wine country’s other main attraction, the covered bridges. Self-guided or tour-lead groups pass over covered bridges assembled many decades ago. These relics are great for pictures, as well as for admiring the craftsmanship that has stood resilient against Oregon’s temperamental winters.
Any day in wine country must include a stop at the local vegetable and fruit stands littering the road. Buying fresh vegetables or fruit found at these stands helps support a clean lifestyle of growing food from local farmers. It’s food made on a smaller farm by people who appreciate the landscape more than making money, which is really the theme of anyone who lives in wine country. They’re fans of the vines and quiet peacefulness that define the area. For a day, weekend or lifetime, you can experience the enticingly addictive state of mind that Sommer and so many other wine producers helped craft.

[email protected]