Ideas for my first ever trip to Oregon Wine Country?

[Kirk.Grant]

Patricia Green…DO NOT miss them…as well as the usual suspects. Eyrie, Dom. Drouhin, Argyle, Brick House, ect.

Find some of the “newer folks” in the Valley that people are raving about while you’re there. Leave room in every day for one place you didn’t plan for. That’s my advice.

[Roy_Piper]

So…

I am staying at the Allison Inn & Spa. Have tours set up with Bergstrom, Soter, Le Cadeau, Penner Ash and Beaux Freres. Hoping to meet Josh Bergstrom and Tony Soter, but thats up in the air. Have a request to John Thomas to walk his vineyard, but that would be a real coup. Have other requests to Maggie Harrison and Robert Brittan. We will see! Making the long drive with my girlfriend tomorrow. I will report back!

[Gary_Ahearn]

@Roy Piper

So…

I am staying at the Allison Inn & Spa. Have tours set up with Bergstrom, Soter, Le Cadeau, Penner Ash and Beaux Freres. Hoping to meet Josh Bergstrom and Tony Soter, but thats up in the air. Have a request to John Thomas to walk his vineyard, but that would be a real coup. Have other requests to Maggie Harrison and Robert Brittan. We will see! Making the long drive with my girlfriend tomorrow. I will report back!

Roy, would strongly recommend adding Arterberry-Maresh to your list. Also, Carlton Bakery for breakfast, and Dundee Bistro for lunch–especially if you enjoy a good burger. Penner Ash is good for the scenery, not so much for the wines. Thumbs up to Bergstrom, Soter, and Patricia Green. Thomas wines are terrific. Ate at Nicks last fall–a little disappointing. Enjoyed La Rambla in McMinnville more.

[Roy_Piper]

Gary, will try!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I will post reports back.

[Lonny_Isenberg]

I haven’t visited, but I love their wines, Big Table Farm.

[Jim_Anderson]

@Monte Mast

Stayed in McMinnville today. Marcus Goodfellow hated four of us at Matello. The lineup is quite strong. His Pinot Gris is the best I have tasted. The 2011 Durant pinot and Souris blends are very strong.

The Farmer’s Plate and Pantry in Carlton and Thistle in McMinnville were very strong.

He hated all of you? He’s very nice. You must have been quite awful.

[Gary_Ahearn]

@Roy Piper

Gary, will try!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I will post reports back.

Looking forward to them!

[Beau_Carufel]

@Roy Piper

So…

I am staying at the Allison Inn & Spa. Have tours set up with Bergstrom, Soter, Le Cadeau, Penner Ash and Beaux Freres. Hoping to meet Josh Bergstrom and Tony Soter, but thats up in the air. Have a request to John Thomas to walk his vineyard, but that would be a real coup. Have other requests to Maggie Harrison and Robert Brittan. We will see! Making the long drive with my girlfriend tomorrow. I will report back!

What made you choose those? I’m curious.

[Monte_Mast]

@Jim Anderson

@Monte Mast

Stayed in McMinnville today. Marcus Goodfellow hated four of us at Matello. The lineup is quite strong. His Pinot Gris is the best I have tasted. The 2011 Durant pinot and Souris blends are very strong.

The Farmer’s Plate and Pantry in Carlton and Thistle in McMinnville were very strong.

He hated all of you? He’s very nice. You must have been quite awful.

Fixed. That’s what I get for trying to type a post on an iPhone while sitting in an airport.

[Kurt_W]

My go to’s have always been Amity and Cameron, along with Brick House and Elk Cove (older rieslings are amazing).

[John_Peacock]

@T3rry D3an

@K John Joseph

Stay here: http://www.abbeyroadfarm.com/ and wake up to fresh-made goat cheese, wonderful breakfasts, great chats and wines with the owners. Makes for a great home base.

I love this place! It was fantastic!

As for wines, I like Carlton Winemakers Studio. I’m a big fan of Ayoub (was at the CWS last time I went, but maybe has a winery now?), and Brittan. Also a fan of Alexana. Dom Drouhin is a must for a first-time Oregon visit, but not much after that. Domaine Serene makes me sad with how much of a Disneyland it is …

Mo Ayoub is no longer at the Carlton Winemaker Studio, and is making his wine in his winery attached to his house. He is generally available on the weekends to host tastings (which, if you’ve never done, is an amazing experience). Just look up his number on his website and give him a call a couple days in advance.

Full Disclosure: I consider Mo a good friend, and have helped him out around the winery in various capacities.

[Vincent_Fritzsche]

Roy, looks like you made it to Thomas. Full report when you’re back, please.

[F.Daner]

Roy- any notes on the wines ?

[Bryan_Price]

There are several very good threads on this already, but something to keep in mind is that the drive from Portland to Dundee can be about an hour, from Dundee to McMinnville can be 20-30 minutes, and from Mac up to Carlton is only about 10 minutes. There are many excellent wineries in the area, as others have listed here.

Down in Amity/Rickreall and towards Salem are spots that don’t often get mentioned but are worth visiting. Johan, Brooks (if you like riesling), Evesham Wood/Haden Fig, Bethel Heights, St. Innocent, Walter Scott, and Cristom.

Most wineries that have regular hours are open till 4 or 5 for at least Friday/Sat/Sun this time of year, but you should do your homework and look them up first. Only takes a few minutes.

Would you recommend anywhere in Salem to pick up sandwiches / snacks in between Cristom/Bethel Heights/Evesham?

[Andy_Steinman]

Not a lot of tourism infrastructure in the Eola-Amity Hills/Van Duzer. Brooks has food service and does a solid job. Left Coast Cellars, adjacent to Johan also offer Lunch/snack options.

In NW Salem, Xicha Brewing is a good spot.