Adventure Time in the North Willamette Valley
Spring is here, the sun is making a daring comeback and it’s about time for an adventure.
May we suggest the Willamette Valley? An hour outside Portland, you’ll find a smorgasbord of good people, good wine and general good times. And there’s no better time to get your bearings here (or to return for the umpteenth time) than with the region-wide warm welcome that is North Willamette Wine Trail Weekend, happening April 13th and 14th.
The dazzling variety of weekend goings-on provides visitors with a veritable Valley-wide meet-and-greet, and you’ll soon be acquainted with gregarious cookbook authors, free-wheeling winemakers, local artists, innovative artisans and craftspeople over complimentary tastings at all of North Willamette Vintners’ member wineries.
Wine Trail Weekend is unique among wine tours in its unequaled chances for hands-on experience. You’ll be guided through the inner workings of the wineries, where winemakers will demonstrate how they get their pinot noir to turn out just so. You might sample maturing wines straight from the barrel, and a lucky few might even be invited to work alongside winemakers as they teach tricks of their trade. Then you’ll see how all that hard work pays off with tastes of limited reserves and the very latest releases, paired sharply with the finest local fare.
The event weekend has become a lynchpin in the regional wine scene over the last five years, with increased attendance every time. Some things that spark our interest — an interactive Port tasting, wine grapevine giveaways, a makeshift vineyard spa, a barrel cave tour, and baby goats at the Quail Run Creamery!
Tickets are expected to sell out so get yours now here. You’ll designate your preferred starting winery, where your information packet and tasting glass will be waiting for you on the morning of the 13th. And check out participating wineries’ early bird option: new this year and complete with breakfast!
11 am—4 pm, April 13—14 || Locations vary || Tickets: $45 full weekend || (503) 941-0609 || nwvintners.org
