We have finally finished setting up four separate pre-conference excursions … and we think you will find them worth the wait. We have joined with three excellent Oregon organizations to create these excursions. See below for details. Please note:
- The excursions all start on Wednesday afternoon, August 15th (at different locations) and end on Thursday at around 5:00 PM at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland.
- You must be registered for the conference to attend an excursion.
- Each excursion is limited to 20 or 25 people. First come, first served.
- Each excursion costs $90 and includes lodging, three meals, local ground transportation in Oregon, and winery and other visits. You can’t beat that price.
- If you are not yet registered for the conference, you can register for an excursion on your conference registration form.
Washington County, Oregon: Liquid Assets: Wine, Saké and Craft Beer
Hosted by the Washington County Visitors Association
- Pickup: 1:00 PM Wednesday at Portland Airport (PDX) if you are flying in that morning or 1:30 PM at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland, with on-bus guide provided by America’s Hub World Tours.
- Visits and Excursions: SakéOne is the only American owned-and-operated, large-scale, craft-saké producer. Montinore is among the top 25 producers of Oregon wine (in terms of number cases) and is one of the largest biodynamic/organic wine producers in the state. Hawks View Cellars is a boutique winery, which produces a limited quantity of terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from estate-grown grapes, as well as wines made with wine grapes from the top vineyards in Oregon and California. The newest craft brewer to open its doors in Oregon’s Washington County is Two Kilts Brewing Company, which has amassed a loyal following since its opening in 2011 and specializes in the production of India Pale Ale and Scotch Ale, made with local ingredients.
- Dinner: 1910 Main: An American Bistro: Wine-makers dinner featuring local wineries and winemakers, featuring:
Anam Cara Cellars Apolloni Vineyards Cooper Mountain Vineyards Garden Vineyards Ponzi Vineyards Raptor Ridge Winery
- Breakfast: At McMenamins Grand Lodge.
- Lunch: South Store Cafe, Hillsboro: Situated in a 100-year-old clapboard building set in North Willamette wine country, South Store Café offers pastries, homemade soups, sandwiches and more.
- Lodging: McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove.
- Dropoff: 5:00 PM Thursday at the Doubletree Portland Hotel.
Eugene, Oregon: Go Local: Wine, Farms and Food in the South Willamette Valley
Hosted by Eugene, Cascades & Coast
Please note: This excursion has one space remaining
- Pickup: 2:00 PM Wednesday from the Eugene Airport (note this means you will be flying into Eugene and out of Portland)
- Visits and Excursions: Heidi Tunnell’s Barn Dinners bring together local farmers, winemakers, brewers and the community together in a restored family barn; we’ll sample some of Heidi’s award-winning (she won Iron Chef Eugene in 2011) cuisine and sample local wine. Pinot Clinic at Pfeiffer Winery followed by lunch outside by the gardens.
- Dinner: King Estate, home to the world’s largest contiguous organic vineyard, also features a fine dining estate restaurant which uses seasonal organic ingredients primarily sourced from the property’s 30 acres of organic gardens and orchards. Visitors will enjoy a short tour of the estate, including gardens, bakery, charcuterie and winery, followed by a prix fixe dinner in the restaurant.
- Breakfast: Marché Restaurant in Eugene
- Lunch: See above.
- Hotel: TBD
- Dropoff: You will receive a ticket and be dropped off at the Eugene station for the 2:50 PM Amtrak, which arrives in Portland at 5:25. You will need to make your own way (via taxi or public transport) to the Doubletree Hotel.
Salem, Oregon: Outside the Bottle
Hosted by Travel Salem
Please note: This excursion is full
- Pickup: 1:30 PM Wednesday at the Doubletree Hotel in Portland (no airport pickup).
- Visits and Excursions: Enjoy wine tasting at Johan Vineyards and select your favorite varietal to enjoy while “wiking” (wine hiking) to neighboring Left Coast Cellars for more tasting and a delicious barbecue. A visit to the Willamette Heritage Center at The Mill is a stroll through the history of the Willamette Valley; the five-acre campus is home to fourteen historic structures that present the stories and richness of Oregon’s past. Sandee Piluso from Piluso Vineyard and Winery developed acreage in Aumsville, a small town in Marion County, where she worked hard to produce some of the best dessert wines and other varietals in the region. E.Z. Orchards’ cidre is created in the French Cidre tradition, made with unique European cider varieties, experience the sparkling texture and authentic aromas of earth and orchard. The farmer’s market has the best selection of Oregon and northwest gourmet food in the Willamette Valley and offer the finest local fruits and vegetables.
- Dinner: Left Coast Cellars barbeque (see above).
- Breakfast: At participating hotels.
- Lunch: Willamette Valley Vineyards’ mission in growing cool-climate varietals is to create elegant, classic Oregon wines from the Willamette Valley Appellation; as native Oregonians, they treasure our environment and use sustainable practices in growing and vinifying our wine grapes.
- Hotel: Several different Salem hotels.
- Dropoff: 5:00 PM Thursday at the Doubletree Portland Hotel.
Hood River, Oregon: Oregon’s Gorge-ous Wine Country
Hosted by the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce
Please note: Only one space available.
- Pickup: 1:00 PM Wednesday at the Portland Doubletree Hotel if you will already be in Portland or 1:30 PM at the Portland Airport (PDX) if you are flying in that morning.
- Visits and Excursions: You’ll start with an afternoon tour of area wineries, including Phelps Creek Vineyards, Mt Hood Winery, and Cathedral Ridge. In the morning you can choose a beginner’s Stand-Up Paddleboarding lesson with an instructor from Big Winds or tour the Hood River Valley (alpacas, farm stands, glassblowing studio, and more). After lunch, we’ll do a Downtown Hood River wine walk to tour Naked Winery, Cerulean Winery, and Stotlz Winery.
- Dinner: Hosted by Hood River Downtown Wineries at Double Mountain Brewery.
- Breakfast: Hosted by the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce at the Columbia Gorge Hotel.
- Lunch: Hosted by the Wine and Pear Festival Committee
- Lodging: Columbia Cliff Villas, Columbia Gorge Hotel, or Vagabond Lodge, all situated right next to each other in Hood River
- Dropoff: 5:00 PM Thursday at the Doubletree Portland Hotel.