“Once you’ve seen the view, you will not want to leave,” Wayne Bailey, Youngberg Hill Vineyards, McMinnville, Oregon. The great thing about Youngberg Hill is you don’t actually have to leave. The vineyard has an onsite inn featuring well-appointed rooms and suites, fireplaces, jacuzzis, and...
Three walls, a pinball machine, pizza delivery, and a guitar collection that could only be described as "b*tchin"… This is Gorman Winery's Tasting Room in Woodinville Washington. Set on the main drag through the tourist area, this is an inviting spot to taste and hang out for a bit. The fourth...
Oregon is one of the few places you can get directions from a guy driving a tractor, venture up a dirt road, way up a dirt road, and find an amazing art and wine experience at the end. Google Maps took me to the bottom of this gravel road on the outskirts of Newberg and I paused. Not that I am...
Visitors and personal guests often ask me for winery recommendations here in the Willamette Valley. I try to determine what is most important to them. Is it a chic tasting room, educational tours, location? Winter's Hill Vineyard is on my short list for people looking for two things - really...
The very first thing everyone needs to know about visiting J Wrigley Vineyards in Oregon's McMinnville AVA is that it is right where it is supposed to be. Just don't count on your navigation app to know it. The second thing you need to know is that it is worth a little extra attention to the...
Adams Bench Winery, in the Hollywood District of Woodinville WA, is a bit of a hybrid between country and urban. It sits in a neighborhood of farms, wineries, and residences, with big houses and landscaping to match. Pulling into the drive you can see the home of Tim and Erica Blue,...
Stepping into the Mark Ryan Winery tasting room in Woodinville's Tourist District is like stepping into a teenage boy's dream garage - a popular teenage boy with a budget for fun. Is this a nod to his winemaking beginnings in the garages of friends and family? The space is a mix of modern...
There is something inherently feminine and elegant about Pinot noir from the Willamette Valley. There isn't, however, one icon for feminine elegance and beauty. Each vintage, plot of land, and winemaker gives us various shades. Sometimes it is Marilyn Monroe and sometimes it is Meryl Streep. At...
Yamhill Valley Vineyards seems quaint upon arrival. The entry drive has views of some of the 100+ acres of vines. Wine barrel planters spilling with colorful flowers line the path. A large koi pond with waterfall offers a moment to slow down a bit from the bustle of tourism. The outside of the...