The Willamette Valley is in Oregon, running from The Columbia River in Portland south through Salem. It contains more than 19,000 acres of vineyards and more than 500 wineries. We visited McMinnville, Oregon staying at Olde Stone Village RV Park while exploring much of the area. Coming into this area can be a bit overwhelming not knowing which wineries to visit, what to see, and what to do.
Spruce Goose
We did take the time to walk over to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum one morning for a quick tour and enjoyed it very much We were able to see from a distance the Spruce Goose The largest wooden airplane ever constructed and flown only one time, the Spruce Goose represents one of humanity's greatest attempts to conquer the skies. You can walk across the patio to the Space Museum which was also very educational.
We took the time to visit three wineries while we were there. It was important to me that we visit wineries that have spectacular views, overlooking the vineyards while enjoying wine and wonderful conversation. The first one we chose was Maysara Winery. We were not disappointed. We were educated on the history of the owners right down to the history of each individual wine we tasted. We finally decided upon the 2014 Jamsheed Pinot Noir. This wine has extra ripeness in the vineyard which translates to a more generous core of red-black fruits. Blackberry and fresh cracked pepper entwine perfectly with matured and lengthy tannins on the finish. You can sit under an umbrella for a shaded wine-drinking experience while enjoying the views.
Wine Tasting
The second winery we indulged in was Youngberg Hill Winery. The day we arrived it was a warm day and a slight breeze blowing through the valley. You sit upon a hill that allows you to overlook the valley and the vineyards. The wines were exquisite, and we were able to take our time to relax and just take in the beautiful scenery around us. We ended up taking home with us the Aspen Pinot Gris. The sweet fruity nature of the Pinot Gris enhances anything spicy or boldly flavored with its smooth finish. Robust peppery meals such as a hearty chili balance out nicely with this wine.
Views Drinking Wine
Finally, the last winery we visited was Durant Winery located in Dayton, Oregon. Out of all three spectacular views, this one won first place. I can't even tell you how breathtaking it was. We did their wine tasting and ordered their huge charcuterie board. Keep in mind if you do decide to order, there is more than enough to eat you can even take some home. The day was perfect, and temperatures were in the mid-'80s, we were able to see off in a distance Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson. We sat there drinking wine overlooking these spectacular views along with the vineyards where you can take a tour if you so wish.
Views of the Vineyard
