May is Oregon Wine Month, and it’s a perfect time of year to explore the Pacific Northwest state, either in person or through your palate. While Oregon has long been a darling among Pinot Noir fans, this versatile state produces so much more, from effervescent bubblies to full-bodied Syrahs, often made from biodynamically grown grapes at small, family-run wineries. Oregon’s rich agricultural traditions mean that restaurants across the state have easy access to fresh, flavorful produce, making the state a destination for chefs and culinary travelers alike.
Whether you’re planning a wine-tasting trip through Oregon or want to stock your cellar with some of the most delectable wines grown in the U.S., here’s everything you need to know about Oregon’s wines and regions.
Portland
Oregon’s largest city is where many wine adventures begin in the state, and despite the urban environs, Portland is very much a haven for wine lovers. Many celebrated Willamette Valley wineries — including Fullerton Wines and Erath Winery — have tasting rooms right in the heart of town, and the city has dozens of homegrown urban wineries that source their grapes from across the Pacific Northwest.
The oldest of these, Hip Chicks Do Wine, opened their first tasting room in 2001, paving the way for dozens more to follow in their footsteps. These days, you can pair Pinot with a DIY charcuterie board at Boedecker Cellars in the Northwest Industrial District or head over to Southeast Portland’s Teutonic Wine Company to sample German and Alsatian-style
