A Taste of Fall in Lane County
Yes, it is "pumpkin spice" season! And here in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, autumn's changing colors signal even more favorite foods, fragrances, tastes and treats. How about sweet and gooey caramel apples...tangy hard ciders...pungent spirits...creamy ice cream...dark roasted coffees...
Fall into abundant harvests
Apples stacked high at Thistledown Farm. Photo by Sally McAleer
The fertile Willamette Valley is a cornucopia of berries, stone-fruits, melons, squashes, greens, root vegetables and more. As the leaves change color, farmers are harvesting their summer crops. The Lane County Farmers Market is one of the region’s largest markets, taking place on Saturdays in downtown Eugene. Relish sun-ripened peaches, colorful peppers, heirloom tomatoes and crunchy broccoli, kale and spinach piled high in their booths. Mushrooming is a "thing" here, so go foraging with a pro or shop the wide range of mushrooms offered at the market. Local chefs create tantalizing dishes around these tasty fungi.
Our restaurants also embrace farm-to-table dining with seasonal menus that showcase the region’s finest fare. Well-known for their fixed four-course dinner, Grit Kitchen & Wine dazzles guests with the chef’s selection of the Northwest’s best ingredients. From "Morel Mushroom and Asparagus Risotto" to "Pan Seared Chinook Salmon", exceptional dishes will delight you.
Visit the Farmers in their Fields
Pumpkin Patch at Detering Orchards by Joni Kabana
Corn mazes and pumpkin patches are popping up as harvest gets underway. Browse farm stands and visit farms offering u-pick pumpkins, apples and flowers. Homemade caramel apples are sold at Detering Orchards alongside jugs of their apple cider, crates of apples, bags of frozen berries and preserved peaches. Join in the merriment at Colonial Harvest Days, a family-friendly festival held on-site at the Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm. This year drive through, stopping to select treats from local vendors, explore their amazing corn mazes designed both easy and more challenging, and finish at the seven acre pumpkin patch.
Taste Oregon Wine Country
Cellar Season in Oregon Wine Country by Brittany Rossman
It would not be a fall harvest without wine! Wineries are picking their sun-ripened grapes for fermentation. Choose the perfect bottles to pair with your upcoming holiday meals. Coincidentally, the Territorial Highway is a must-see for scouting fall foliage. With plenty of Oak trees and golden vineyards dotting the landscape, the drive out to wine country is worth the trip for the view alone. Sample some of Oregon’s top rated Pinot Noir from more than 20 South Willamette wineries along the route —but call ahead because some wineries are requiring reservations.
Savor Seasonal Beers & Ciders
Alesong Brewing offers a flight of their barrel aged beers. Photo by Joni Kabana
The end of summer and transition into fall is also marks the occasion for the region’s hop harvest. With many breweries releasing seasonal brews in the fall, hops are especially important to Eugene’s craft breweries, due to their role in flavoring the award-winning IPAs.
WildCraft Ciderworks has crowdsourcing down to a science. Their annual Community Apple Drive invites the community to bring in locally-grown bounty in exchange for WildCraft trade.
Feel the Holiday Spirit
Thinking Tree Spirits showcases their fine liqueurs in artsy bottles, and in their tasting room, elegant glassware.
A festive cocktail brightens the overcast days and Eugene's distillery scene has an array of locally-distilled spirits for your holidays. Stock up on those mini candy canes to add flair to your sweet drinks.
Between abundant harvest and the lovely fall foliage throughout the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region, everyone can enjoy a classic autumn experience. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to sample some of the freshest food available in a community grounded in all things local!
Tasty Treats & Gifts
Share the best of the Willamette Valley with family or friends, or just upgrade your holiday home life with Provision's seasonal gift box—a wonderful way to support local farmers and artisans.
