Sip, Savor, and Stay: Eastern Oregon’s Vineyards and Tasting Rooms
The natural beauty of Eastern Oregon provides a stunning backdrop for your wine-centric adventures and the region boasts a range of options, each with its own distinctive character and signature blends.
Eastern Oregon’s wineries are not just destinations; they’re vibrant communities of passionate winemakers eager to share their craft. Beyond the harvest season, the vineyards come alive with a different kind of energy. The air is crisp, the vines take on a golden hue, and the tasting rooms offer a warm and inviting atmosphere for those seeking a taste of the region’s finest wines.
A SAMPLING OF WINERIES IN ECHO
SNO ROAD WINERY – The Sno Road Winery tasting room is in a beautifully restored historic building located in downtown Echo and pours wine made from grapes grown on a historic ranch outside of town. The courtyard is a lovely venue for events too.
ECHO RIDGE CELLARS- Housed in a renovated onion cellar, Echo Ridge Cellars is a family-run business that produces about 1,000 cases each year of cabernet franc and sauvignon, syrah and merlot.
PITSTOP IN PENDLETON
CEREBELLA WINERY – Located in historic downtown Pendleton, Cerebella Winery is family-owned and operated. Not to miss is their Pendleton Series that celebrates Pendleton’s colorful and diverse history.
GREAT PACIFIC WINE & COFFEE COMPANY – Serving up a selection of sandwiches, soups, salads, and pizza; and, yes, one of the city’s best wine selections. Great Pacific Wine & Coffee Company is the perfect place to refuel and relax.
ALEXANDER’S CHOCOLATE CLASSICS AND VINO BISTRO – Wine and chocolate, need we say more? Alexander’s Artisan Chocolates & Vino Bistro serves a rotating selection of handmade truffles alongside a selection of local and regional wines to pair with the decadent offerings.
WALLA WALLA VALLEY AND THE ROCKS DISTRICT IN MILTON-FREEWATER
ZERBA CELLARS – On one of Zerba’s three estate vineyards in Milton-Freewater sits a log cabin tasting room that could pass as a pioneer homestead. Inside, modern amenities bolster tastings of its award-winning wines.
ROTIE CELLARS – Combining old world winemaking techniques with the highest quality Rhône varietals available sourced from their estate vineyard in the Rocks District, enjoy a spectacular view of the Walla Walla Valley at Rotie Cellars.
LOS ROCOSOS – Offering a limited selection of estate and reserve wines, visit the Los Rocosos tasting room, located on the vineyard, and is dog friendly!
DUCLEAUX CELLARS – Producing hand crafted, farm to bottle vintages, Ducleaux Cellars is a small family winery making wine with an uncompromising view towards quality and value.
WATERMILL WINERY – Head to the historic Watermill Building in Milton-Freewater to taste wines and learn how Watermill Winery’s stewardship for the land contributes to their wine.
MONGATA ESTATE WINERY – Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, enjoy tastings at the vineyard with small plates to pair or a private picnic at Mongata Estate Winery.
THE COPPER BELT OF NORTHEASTERN OREGON AND SNAKE RIVER AVA
COPPER BELT WINES – Located east of Baker City, in the heart of the Baker County Copper Belt, the wines are fruit forward, which are grown at some of the highest elevations in Oregon. Producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer, visit Copper Belt‘s tasting room in downtown Baker City.
So, if you’re seeking an escape that goes beyond the harvest, Eastern Oregon’s wineries beckon with open arms. Pack your bags, hit the open roads, and discover the hidden gems that await you in this postcard-perfect wine destination. The harvest may be over, but the adventure is just beginning – cheers to the season of sipping, staying, and savoring in Eastern Oregon!
