Oregon Suggestions?

Portland, Oregon

Any suggested wineries and/or restaurants ? Even outlying wineries. If you were going to set up an Oregon Trip, what wineries or restaurants would you not want to miss?

Thanks,

Richard

I wouldn't miss making an appointment to meet the folks at Raptor Ridge. We had a wonderful time there a couple of years ago. They're out in the woods working essentially out of their garage. The tasting room is their kitchen. We've gone to many other places by appointment, some by far more "spectaculor" but none nearly as fun.

Our favorite "drop in" place is Sokol Blosser. Laid back, lack of pretension, wonderful wines, youthful vigor, etc. The only place we always go to in Willamette.

Oh, and also the whole gamut in Carlton. Nice drive there and lots going on - seems to be the "happening" part of the Valley right now.

We enjoyed Domaine Drouhin -- they had a wonderful viewing deck and their wine was some of our favorite. We were tasting in OR over a relatively busy weekend so didn't get super personalized attention at any of the wineries we went to, but the staff here were friendly enough and knowledgable and the wine was solid.

For eating the Joel Palmer House was excellent, if expensive. It was in a lovely old house and they had a phenomenal pinot wine list.

If you get as far south as Ashland don't miss New Sammy's Cowboy Bistro in Talent. This is one of the most amazing dining experiences I've had in the last several years. A husband and wife team that left the US for France due to financial/investment troubles has hit a home run with this place. The wine list is excellent and the wines are not marked up much relative to the standard restaurant markup. The food is also excellent to say the least. It is worth the drive.

Here's an article about New Sammy's:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... M73357.DTL

Best of luck,

[Jenise]

If you're in McMinneville, eat at Nick's. Great, inventive PNW Italian food and that restaurant that's 'home' to all the winemakers in the area.

Richard, there are a plethora of wonderful restaurants in Portland. It depends on what you're looking for. Here's ten for you:

Italian -- Castagna, Genoa
Pacific Northwest -- Caprial's Bistro, Heathman, Higgins
Asian -- Lemongrass, Pho Van, Saburo's Sushi
Steak -- El Gaucho
French -- Paley's Place Bistro

Keep in mind that all wineries are outlying from Portland. The closest winery is Ponzi, about 15 miles away (30 minutes due to traffic). A handful I would visit are St. Innocent, Panther Creek, Domaine Serene, Lemelson, Penner-Ash, WillaKenzie, Raptor Ridge and Bergstrom. Some wineries require an appointment. Have fun.

Richard, I have not, nor am I likely to visit the Oregon wine country. But, if I ever do get there, I will without fail visit Stone Wolf vineyards. If I could visit only one winery, Stone Wolf would be the one.

This is great info!

Richard

I know the trip to Oregon is probably over as this posting is late, but I have to mention the restaurant OBA. Great interior, wonderful food and decent wine list.

Jon,

Nope...planning on an April trip.

Richard

Richard: OBA is downtown at 555 NW 12th Ave. in Portland They can be reached at 503-228-6161 and at randy@obarestaurant.com. If you going to be in town it's worth putting on your list.
My wife, Liz, and I took our three kids out there this past summer and what a wonderful part of the country...no wonder no one wants to leave once they get there. Have a great trip.