Sips Taste the exceptional wines of the upper Willamette Valley in its downtown tasting rooms. It’s easy to walk from spot to spot in downtown Newberg, Dundee, Carlton and McMinnville. The region also has numerous scenic roads dotted with picturesque vineyards — try Highway 47 from Forestville to Gaston, Highway 12 west of Dundee and Highway 153 east of Amity. In the rolling hills of the YamhillCarlton AVA, three members of the esteemed Jackson Family Wines group — Gran Moraine, PennerAsh Wine Cellars and WillaKenzie Estate — earn praise for their exceptional wines and lovely tasting rooms. Famed Willamette Valley Vineyards continues to expand its operations. In September 2022, the 40-year-old vintner opened a new sparkling-wine center, Domaine Willamette, at Dayton’s Bernau Estate Vineyard. In Dallas, 15 miles west of Salem, you can explore the Mount Pisgah AVA, established in 2022. This compact but densely planted area contains 584 planted acres and three wineries, including Illahe, which offers tastings on a sunny patio with sweeping valley views, and Amalie Robert Estate, a favorite for its elegantly refined Pinot noirs. Eats Choose from a number of seasonally driven, farm-to-table restaurants of exceptional quality. Consider Matthew Lightner’s exquisite tasting menus at ¯okta and the shareable plates at Humble Spirit. Both of these stylish eateries are steps from downtown McMinnville’s many tasting rooms as well as the urbane HiFi Wine Bar. In Carlton, Earth & Sea pairs gorgeously plated steak and seafood dishes with Oregon wines. The Dayton-Dundee corridor is another hub of superb dining featuring local ingredients. Try romantic classics like Joel Palmer House, Dundee Bistro and Tina’s. Amid the tasting rooms of lively Newberg, tuck into a bowl of bouillabaisse at the stylish Newbergundian Bistro, or savor a wood-fired pizza pie with the locals at Forage. For creative snacks and and picnic provisions, Good Company Cheese can't be beat. On the valley’s east side, Filberts Farmhouse Kitchen puts a local spin on comfort classics, while dapper Magnolia Grill is an enticing spot for brunch or dinner in Silverton. Fans of Mexican food should check out Luis’s Taqueria in downtown Woodburn. FROM TOP: ANDRÉA JOHNSON; JOHN BARGER / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO Silver Falls State Park Earth & Sea WINE TRAILS Downtown Newberg Wineries Where can you find five superb tasting rooms all within a mile of each other? Historic downtown Newberg’s bustling blocks transform wine tasting into a convenient, walkable adventure you can share with friends and family over an afternoon or a multiday experience. At the gateway to North Willamette Valley wine country, the town is packed with chef-driven restaurants, boutique shops and art galleries to explore. Sip a flight on Anam Cara Cellars’ charming wine patio. Sample the Syrah in a refurbished bank building at Cliff Creek Cellars, where the grapes are sourced from the family’s 100-year-old estate vineyard. Taste the exceptional wines at Chehalem Winery, which imbues stewardship for the land into its processes from start to finish. newbergdowntownwineries.com 58 OREGON WINE TOURING GUIDE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==