Great guide, Paul. A couple things I’d add based on lessons from our inaugural WV trip:
I tried to hit all the AVAs and really sample the Valley. In retrospect, I would have focused on a more specific sub area, as you mention the commute times does slow you down. I would recommend a mix of experiences, one that includes a tour, a boutique; a more well known producer. I’d highly recommend splurging on Bergstroms experience in particular. If in Dundee, lunch at Red Hills Market is highly recommended. That being said; some of my favorite experiences are ones I stumbled into such as Flaneurs grain elevator or the Et Fille Tasting room in Newburg
No matter which town is your home base, do check to make sure you are staying there on an optimal night of the week. A lot of the smaller towns may be closed on Mondays etc and could hamper your dining options.
If you’re stocking up on wine and not flying Alaska, Newberg Mail Room is a good place to ship your wine back home.
Good thoughts Ben! Bergström is a great addition. I'd hoped to visit Josh but he was out of town. I'll have reviews of his current releases in my next post. Red Hills Market is great for breakfast or lunch or picnic supplies. As for shipping wine, I'm not sure that it's legal for anyone but winery personnel to send wine out of state. Have you checked on that?
It was legal (or at least they did it for me! They widely advertise that they do this. I presume they have a license) in August of 2023, I think there are a couple other places in the Valley that offer services if you want to buy a few bottles here or there and then ship them in one package rather than have each winery you buy from ship.
hah! Coincidentally, betsy and I are driving down tomorrow to the Valley for me to lightning round tastings; Just 4, maybe five vineyards to catchup with new stuff. Been 3 years since last visit. So Lingua Franca, Resonance, Patty G and Beckham for us.. Are you going to be around? We have to come back on sunday for other stuff already booked. Obviously (for me anyway) PGW and Jim are the main reason to be there on Saturday AM, Hoping to look at in bottle 23's and some 24's out of wood. Maybe see you? We haven't booked any restaurants as yet, though we are staying up in Lake Oswego at Betsy's favorite Marriott on points from her time going to that area on FDIC business.. Joel
Have a great trip Joel! I'll be curious to hear your thoughts about Lingua Franca. I wonder if there have been many changes since Larry left. My trip was last week - home since Friday. Say hi to Jim - he was out of town when I visited Patty Green.
Hit a lot of these spots on our trip two weeks ago! We were really taken with Thistle - that’s a really special restaurant.
Wish I could visit for the occasion 😍
Great guide, Paul. A couple things I’d add based on lessons from our inaugural WV trip:
I tried to hit all the AVAs and really sample the Valley. In retrospect, I would have focused on a more specific sub area, as you mention the commute times does slow you down. I would recommend a mix of experiences, one that includes a tour, a boutique; a more well known producer. I’d highly recommend splurging on Bergstroms experience in particular. If in Dundee, lunch at Red Hills Market is highly recommended. That being said; some of my favorite experiences are ones I stumbled into such as Flaneurs grain elevator or the Et Fille Tasting room in Newburg
No matter which town is your home base, do check to make sure you are staying there on an optimal night of the week. A lot of the smaller towns may be closed on Mondays etc and could hamper your dining options.
If you’re stocking up on wine and not flying Alaska, Newberg Mail Room is a good place to ship your wine back home.
Good thoughts Ben! Bergström is a great addition. I'd hoped to visit Josh but he was out of town. I'll have reviews of his current releases in my next post. Red Hills Market is great for breakfast or lunch or picnic supplies. As for shipping wine, I'm not sure that it's legal for anyone but winery personnel to send wine out of state. Have you checked on that?
It was legal (or at least they did it for me! They widely advertise that they do this. I presume they have a license) in August of 2023, I think there are a couple other places in the Valley that offer services if you want to buy a few bottles here or there and then ship them in one package rather than have each winery you buy from ship.
Hey Paul
hah! Coincidentally, betsy and I are driving down tomorrow to the Valley for me to lightning round tastings; Just 4, maybe five vineyards to catchup with new stuff. Been 3 years since last visit. So Lingua Franca, Resonance, Patty G and Beckham for us.. Are you going to be around? We have to come back on sunday for other stuff already booked. Obviously (for me anyway) PGW and Jim are the main reason to be there on Saturday AM, Hoping to look at in bottle 23's and some 24's out of wood. Maybe see you? We haven't booked any restaurants as yet, though we are staying up in Lake Oswego at Betsy's favorite Marriott on points from her time going to that area on FDIC business.. Joel
Have a great trip Joel! I'll be curious to hear your thoughts about Lingua Franca. I wonder if there have been many changes since Larry left. My trip was last week - home since Friday. Say hi to Jim - he was out of town when I visited Patty Green.