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South of the Border Exploring Willamette Valley Wine Country by Ashley Gartland

Framed by the gentle rise of the Coast Range in the west and the glacial peaks of the Cascades in the east, Willamette Valley Wine Country welcomes visitors with rolling vineyard-covered hills, groves of fruit trees, forested landscapes, and more than 250 wineries clustered along Highway 99W.

Such a wealth of tasting opportunities can quickly become overwhelming for newcomers to the area, so one way to begin acquainting yourself with the region’s offerings is to launch your wine country excursion at the AgriVino Wine Center just outside Carlton (until October when it will move to Portland and be renamed the MetroVino Wine Center). An on-site sommelier guides tastings in a renovated equestrian barn next to the charming Abbey Road Farm Bed & Breakfast, where guests stay in refurbished silos. The idea behind the center is to offer visitors the chance to taste a number of different wines from the area and get detailed information about them before beginning their tour.

Most likely, the staff will suggest you explore Carlton first. While visiting this up-and-coming, albeit nostalgic town, you might pick up a picnic at The Horse Radish Cheese and Wine Bar, or visit the Carlton Winemakers Studio to sample wines from the region’s finest winemakers. After sipping the afternoon away, visit French-influenced Cuvée Restaurant for a gourmet dinner, and stay the night at the Brookside Inn, a tranquil, wooded retreat located just outside the downtown area.

Beyond Carlton, plentiful tasting rooms welcome guests; some boast elegant, high-ceilinged tasting rooms while others are housed in plain roadside buildings or barns whose sparse surroundings only further spotlight their fine wines. Among them, the regal Domaine Serene in Dayton remains a popular stop for its opulent tasting room outfitted with marble floors, rich tapestries and ornate chandeliers. Taste the region’s famous Pinot Noir here, at the Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston, and at Panther Creek Cellars in McMinnville, just a few of the many Pinot-focused tasting rooms in the area.

When in McMinnville, take time to wander the charming downtown’s tree-shaded streets. Post walk, visit Nick’s Italian Café or the sexy Spanish restaurant, La Rambla, both of which offer great service and fine cuisine. For overnight stays nearby, look to the stunning hilltop Youngberg Hill Vineyards & Inn. Or, retrace your steps along the main wine highway to Dundee where you’ll find the elegant Black Walnut Inn and nine Tuscan-styled suites that welcome guests into the lap of luxury.

Finally, if you choose to explore Newberg, make reservations to dine at the venerable Painted Lady. Chef Allen Routt’s refined American cuisine is highlighted in two tasting menus, both available with wine pairings. After a decadent meal, walk a few blocks to rest your head at the equally elegant Lion’s Gate Inn Bed & Breakfast, or drive along a country road to the peaceful DreamGiver’s Inn. Come morning, both lodgings serve fortifying breakfasts to fuel you for another day of wine tasting — or simply your drive home.

©2008 Caliope Publishing Company