Page 104 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

102  P A CIFIC NOR THWEST REGION B Y REGION

e Wine Country of the
North Willamette Valley

The rich, wet, temperate valley that surrounds the
Willamette River as it flows north from Eugene to join
the Columbia River has yielded a bounty of fruits and
vegetables ever since Oregon Trail pioneers began
farming the land in the mid-19th century. In the 1960s,
the valley’s soil was also found to be ideal for growing Farms dotting the valley slopes
grapes, especially the pinot noir, pinot gris, and of Yamhill County
chardonnay varietals. Now, vineyards carpet the rolling
hillsides, especially in Yamhill County. Though the wine
country of North Willamette Valley is not as developed
as that of Napa Valley, its output is arguably just as
good. It is easy to conduct a taste test since dozens
of wineries are conveniently located just off Highway
99 W between McMinnville and Newberg.
Yamhill

9 EIEIO & Company
The wines of many
small producers whose
wineries are not open
to the public are
available here for
tasting and purchase.
Carlton

8 Eyrie Vineyards
This pioneering winery,
established in 1966,
produced the
Willamette Valley’s
first pinot noir and
chardonnay and the
US’s first pinot gris.
Typical of the valley, the lush vineyards
at Domaine Serene
McMinnville

Salem

0 kilometers 4
0 miles 2

7 Anne Amie Vineyards
The views of the Willamette Valley
are one attraction of this hilltop
winery; several fine white wines
are another.

For hotels and restaurants see pp286–8 and pp296–8

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