Sip Washington County Wines

Oregon's Washington County is nestled in the northern Willamette Valley--a region praised for soil that gives way to wine grapes with award-winning end results. Steeped in the small-producer tradition of winemaking, Oregon's Washington County is home to more than 25 wineries. Each wine has its own distinct personality, and each showcases the delicate tastes of Oregon-grown grapes. 

Take in the vineyard views along Route 47, or wind and wine your way just off the freeway to cellars, tasting rooms and friendly winemakers, all just a short drive from downtown Portland. Here are a few itinerary suggestions for a day in Oregon's Northern Willamette Valley; our county is your wine country:

Day One

Start your journey in Forest Grove, a quaint town with some of the finest wines Oregon has to offer.
The first destination is Apolloni Vineyards, which produces Italian-style white wines as well as outstanding traditional pinot noirs. Their philosophy of careful attention to detail starts in the vineyard and continues through to the winery and production. The tasting room is open 12-5 p.m., Friday-Sunday from March through December.

Next stop is Purple Cow Vineyards. This family-owned winery offers a selection of red and white wines, and produces only 500 cases
per year. Their grape variety selection produces wines that aren't as common in the region, such as Muscat and Tempranillo. To taste for yourself, visit the tasting room, open Saturdays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., February through November.

Continue south, and a little off the beaten path, with a stop at Tualatin Estate Vineyard. The estate is one of the most respected winery and vineyard sites in Oregon's Willamette Valley, and wine grapes from its 145-acre vineyard have produced renowned wines for 30 years. The tasting room is open Saturday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m., March through December.

David Hill Vineyard and Winery is just around the next bend. With sweeping views of Oregon’s Coast Range, David Hill Vineyard is one of the most picturesque wine venues in the Willamette Valley. The tasting room is located in a historic farmhouse built in 1883. The farm is on 140 acres, 40 of which are planted with Pinot Noir, , Riesling, Chardonnay and  vines. These are some of the oldest vines in the state, thereby producing a variety of rich, flavorful wines, ranging from Pinot Gris to Gewürztraminer. The tasting room is open 12-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

For a quick change of pace - and place - visit SakéOne, the only American-owned sake brewery in the U.S., which was founded by a group of people who simply love saké and whose vision was to produce world-class saké in the Japanese tradition here in the United States. With water as one of saké's critical ingredients, the Oregon Coast Range mountain water was identified as ideal for its purity. And so, Forest Grove, Oregon, became the home to SakéOne. The Japanese-inspired tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Last stop for Day One is Montinore Estate. Located on a slope of the Coast Range foothills, Montinore Estate is committed to creating sustainably farmed, estate grown and bottled wines that are true to their varietal characteristics. Montinore Estate’s tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., year round. With an art gallery, gift shop, 220 acres of vineyards, manicured grounds, a view and picnic areas, Montinore Estate wraps up the first day of your Washington County wine adventure.

DAY TWO

Day Two of your Washington County wine tour begins in Hillsboro at Helvetia Vineyards. This starting point is just 25 minutes from downtown Portland; a perfect setting to learn about wine and winemaking in a relaxed atmosphere that is family friendly. Helvetia has made a name for itself among wine connoisseurs with its Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. If you stop by during the winter, don't forget to check out their Christmas Tree farm as well. The tasting room is open Saturday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

If you've planned ahead and called for an appointment, the next breathtaking stop can be Garden Vineyards. Follow the winding mile-long driveway to gardens overlooking the rolling vineyards and the vista views of the Tualatin Valley and the Chehalem and Coastal Mountain ranges. Take in the Tuscan-style architecture, all the while enjoying the finely crafted wine.

Next up, make your way through Hillsboro to Oak Knoll Winery. The Oak Knoll Winery story began in 1970, when Ronald and Marjorie Vuylsteke became pioneers of Oregon winemaking by founding the first winery in Washington County. Today Oak Knoll continues its winemaking traditions, which can be sampled at their tasting room, which is open year-round, by appointment.

Next stop is Beran Vineyards. Bill and Sharon Beran produce a handcrafted Oregon Pinot Noir. Each organically grown vine is individually managed. This boutique winery and vineyard is located in a picturesque converted dairy barn on a site that was homesteaded in 1875 and has a view of Mt. Hood and the High Cascades. The tasting room is open weekends in April through December; call for an appointment.

Just a short drive from Beran is Freja Cellars. The vintners at Freja Cellars are dedicated to producing the highest quality artisan Pinot Noir. In the classic Burgundian style, their wines are all about the terroir of the Chehalem mountainside and resemble Cote de Beaune Burgundies, with distinct Oregon wine characteristics as well. Call ahead for tasting times.

If you’re still game, a drive to Alloro Vineyard (pictured below) in Sherwood is a must. Nestled on a slope in the Chehalem Mountains, this low-yield vineyard is committed to the land and vines, which extends to their sustainable farming practices that ensure production of the highest quality wines from year to year. The new tasting room is now open Friday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

From Sherwood, head to nearby Beaverton to experience two nationally recognized wineries. Oregon wine industry pioneers Dick and Nancy Ponzi created Ponzi Vineyards, and their visits to the state legislature helped allow the building of wineries and adjoining tasting rooms on agricultural farmland--a first for Oregon. The Ponzi family was one of the first vintners to travel outside the state to promote Oregon wine. Ponzi Vineyards was also one of the first to celebrate wine and lifestyle with public events held at the winery, including the valley's first jazz festivals. Ponzi's welcoming tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Cooper Mountain Vineyards is the first winery in the Pacific Northwest to produce all of its wines from 100-percent certified organic and Biodynamic estate-grown grapes. Their efforts in organic viticulture led directly to biodynamic farming practices, which enhance the earth and cultivate rich, unique flavors of their terroir. The tasting room is open daily from 12-5 p.m.

Chart your own course through wine country; Washington County’s vineyards are well-deserving of your time. Your palate will thank you.