Sips You’ll discover more than 50 wineries strung through this long, sweeping valley, including a cluster south of Salem around the town of Jefferson that includes St. Innocent Winery, with its sip-and-savor food-and-wine experiences, and Mexican American family-owned Cória Estates, which serves light charcuterie and offers spectacular hilltop vistas. In 2021 the hub of wineries around Monroe and Junction City became the lower Willamette Valley’s first “nested” AVA, Lower Long Tom AVA. This hilly region known for its silty Bellpine soil has a dozen wineries, among them Walnut Ridge, Brigadoon and High Pass Winery, which has a new tasting room and patio with fantastic views of the Coast Range mountains. Oregon’s second-largest city, Eugene, supports an acclaimed urban wine scene. At Civic Winery & Wines, sip natural wines from around the world in the inviting wine bar and bottle shop. Oregon Wine Lab pours from its own William Rose Wines line as well as from other small vineyards. You can also sample craft beers and local ciders. Drive through gorgeous surrounding countryside to visit several more notable wine operations, such as Silvan Ridge and iconic King Estate, with its farm-to-table restaurant. Eats A diverse and exciting culinary destination, Eugene continues to celebrate new spots, like Nelson’s in the Whit, which serves boldly flavored Mexican fare, and Yardy Eugene, a popular food truck that offers West Indian-style skillet-fried chicken and garlicky plantains. Try Akira for stellar omakase tasting menus of exquisite sushi, Lion & Owl for sophisticated brunch fare, Party Bar for oysters and picnic supplies, and Bar Purlieu for French meets Pacific Northwest dishes. For a caffeine pick-me-up, check out trendy Farmers Union Coffee Roasters. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: JOEY HAMILTON; SHAWN LINEHAN; GEORGE GENTRY/U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE The Independence hotel J. Scott Cellars Sybaris Bistro Keep exploring at southwillamettewineries.com WINE TRAILS Heart of Willamette This network of 20 wineries and tasting rooms around Corvallis and Salem will feel like your own secret discovery. Pick up a passport at any participating winery or at the Visit Corvallis visitor center, or download a digital passport. Don’t miss the wood-fired pizza and views overlooking the national wildlife refuge at Ankeny Vineyard in Salem, as well as the picnic area, bocce ball court and panoramic views at Cardwell Hill Cellars in Philomath. heartofwillamette.com William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge 52 OREGON WINE TOURING GUIDE
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