Wine: Tualatin Valley Style
Full-Day Excursion
From boutique wine innovators to Oregon wine-industry pioneers, the Tualatin Valley–tucked into the northwestern corner of the famed Willamette Valley wine region–offers a range of styles and settings for all wine enthusiasts. Enjoy an in-depth tour and discussion with a vintner, or enjoy a picnic and a view—there is no wrong way to experience the wineries here!
After a light breakfast, head to the growing wine destination of Sherwood with a stop at Alloro Vineyard (22075 SW Lebeau Rd., Sherwood), which resembles a Tuscan vineyard on its slope in the Chehalem Mountains. Sample handcrafted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and more. Catered lunch or dinner on the grounds is an option for small groups. (1 hour)
Travel to Ponzi Vineyards’ winery and tasting room (19500 SW Mountain Home Rd., Sherwood), situated atop the Chehalem Mountains, and located just 30 minutes southwest of Portland’s city center. Ponzi Vineyards is one of Oregon’s pioneering wineries, and for more than 40 years has been producing quality, Italian-inspired wines. Enjoy a progressive-tasting wine tour, enjoy a catered lunch in the private dining room, sample a flight of sustainably produced wines in the tasting room, play a game of bocce, or walk among the vines on the grounds overlooking the valley. (1–1.5 hours)
Next stop is the small city of Cornelius, home to Ardiri Vineyards (35040 SW Unger Rd., Cornelius), an ideal destination for a snack in the formal indoor/outdoor tasting room, followed by time to enjoy the fireplace, fire pit and wine-tasting bar. Sample Ardiri’s own Napa Carneros and Willamette Valley Pinot Noir side-by-side, each crafted from their vineyards in California and Oregon. (1–1.5 hours)
Visit David Hill Vineyards & Winery (46350 NW David Hill Rd., Forest Grove), one of the most picturesque wine venues in the Willamette Valley, with sweeping views of Oregon’s Coast Range. The tasting room is located in a historic farmhouse built in 1883, and the farm sits on 140 acres. (1–1.5 hours).
End the wine-tasting day at Apolloni Vineyards (14135 NW Timmerman Rd., Forest Grove), a family-owned winery that produces Italian-style white and red wines, as well as outstanding traditional Pinot Noir. Their philosophy of careful attention to detail starts in the vineyard and continues through to the winery and production. (1 hour)
Alternately, create your own wine country excursion. See the entire list of wineries in the Tualatin Valley >>>
