Maximum Attendance: 25
Sunday, August 8
About the Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley, Oregon’s leading wine region, has two-thirds of the state’s wineries and vineyards and is home to nearly 600 wineries. It is recognized as one of the premier Pinot Noir–producing areas in the world.
The South Willamette Valley is focused on the wineries and vineyards that form and surround Eugene. The South Willamette is essentially the gateway for Oregon wine. Travelers coming from the north are introduced to varietals sourced from Southern Oregon AVAs and travelers coming from the south are introduced to the tradition of the Willamette Valley.
While you will be in Eugene for the conference and have the ability to visit a small area on our conference Friday excursions, this post-conference excursion will allow you to see much more of Eugene (partially by bicycle!) and the region without moving from your Eugene hotel.
Transportation & Accommodations
You will be picked up at 8:45 AM on Sunday, August 8 from the Valley River Inn in Eugene. The excursion will finish at approximately 5:15 PM the same day at the Fifth Street Public Market in Eugene. This ending time will allow you to spend more time in downtown Eugene or continue on your travels.
Hotel accommodations are not included in this excursion so you should book an extra night for Sunday at the Valley River Inn or elsewhere in Eugene if you are planning to spend the night. If you are traveling to Portland the next day, we recommend booking a trip on the Amtrak Cascades train.
What is Included
Cost: $25 per person, which includes one lunch, multiple wine tastings, entry to the Cascades Raptor Center, and transportation throughout the day.
Itinerary
8:45 AM Depart Valley River Inn for downtown Eugene.
9:15 – 10:45 AM Experience Eugene by bike. The bike tour for all ability levels will pass a few 20×21 EUG Murals on route to the new Hayward Field, a world class track and field facility that is part of why Eugene is called “Track Town USA”. This backstage tour of Eugene by bike gives you access to learn about Eugene’s history.
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Continuing our journey into the local landscape, we visit the Cascades Raptor Center, which has 40 species of birds of prey, and tour the facility. Along the tour, you will taste wines from wineries who benefit from bird management, including Brigadoon Wine Co.
1:10 – 2:30 PM Dine under an historic covered bridge in downtown Cottage Grove, a small town in Lane County located on the Row River and near the Umpqua National Forest, while tasting wines from Five Fourteen Vineyards, Silvan Ridge and Iris Vineyards. Lunch will be included.
3:00 – 4:30 PM Taste small production wines with our panel members from King Estate and Sweet Cheeks Winery. What makes a small production wine special? What goes into those decisions? Come with your questions, and be ready for an open discussion.
5:15 PM Arrive at the Fifth Street Public Market, arnd enjoy a sparkling wine send off on the patio of Sweet Cheeks on 5th. Afterward you can head back to the hotel, off on your own way, or enjoy downtown Eugene. There are a number of urban wineries for you to explore or restaurants for dinner within walking distance. Book a table at Marche, Uber or Lyft to the Whiteaker and enjoy dinner at Tacovore or Izakaya Meiji. Uber or Lyft to Oakway and take in the sunset at SkyBar and book a table at Sabai or Novo.
