Taste World Class Wine on the South Willamette Valley Food Trail

Indulge your senses exploring Oregon's wine country on a two-day tour of some very special boutique wineries along Territorial Highway. Taste the region's lauded Pinot Noir wine, enjoy an abundance of farm-to-table gourmet offerings and soak up the beauty and quiet of the Willamette Valley.

For maximum comfort, stay in posh accommodations in downtown Eugene, which is adjacent to many urban tasting rooms and centrally located to the valley vineyards. For a world-class venture, some great hotel choices include Inn at the 5th, The Gordon Hotel, the Campbell House and the Graduate Eugene.

Next choose how you will tour — by personal car, limousine or on a guided tour.

Day 1: Territorial Highway North

For your first day explore a cluster of vineyards all within a ten-mile radius, all with extraordinary views, personable service and excellent wines. Here are some recommended stops:

Start your morning with coffee at Provisions Market Hall. Shop their delicatessen for fine cheeses, charcuterie, fresh produce, baguettes, sandwiches, salads and pastries to fill a wine country picnic basket so that you can nibble throughout the day. You may also wish to stop by Camas Country Mill Bakery & Store in Junction City. This amazing little bakery showcases pastries and breads baked from family grown and milled wheat. Eat in a historic schoolhouse repurposed as a charming dining room.

Walnut Ridge Vineyard

Walnut Ridge's immaculate and intimate tasting room was designed in French Colonial architectural style with hand-hewn timbers, gas lamps and wood burning fireplace. Step out onto the patio for stunning 360 degree views of the 30-acre vineyard and adjacent countryside. Owned by a family with a love for New Orleans, you'll find gracious hospitality and southern flair in your tasting room visit. Enjoy baked goods and gourmet treats from their on-site kitchen. Along with hosting Mardi Gras celebrations, Walnut Ridge is offering a guided boutique tour of New Orleans in the fall of 2023. Imagine traipsing the town with wine and cultural enthusiasts!

Brigadoon Wine Co

Another nearby boutique winery, Brigadoon Wine Co, has three generations of winemaking behind their very special Oregon vineyard. Stemming from Rutherford Vineyard in Napa Valley, proprietors Chris and Sheree Shown brought their love of grapes to the fertile Willamette Valley—and what makes their organic vineyard so special? Brigadoon is the producer of the highest quality Oregon grown rootstock and scion wood used by many other vineyards across Oregon and even in other states. Here you can learn all about the careful cultivation of sturdy, healthy vines. Picnic in their terraced gardens overlooking 66-acres of bellpine soil vineyards. This lovely location may be cooler than other sites, so bring a light jacket or sweater.

Day 2: Territorial Highway South

Start the day off perfectly with breakfast from Creswell Bakery. Like Camas Country Mill, this family-owned, farm to table bakery is a destination stop for foodies. Serving up local fare beyond pastries and sandwiches, you'll be able to stock your picnic hamper if so desired. Next, swing by Emerald Valley Golf Course for a round of golf where the University of Oregon's golf teams practice. Or, if shooting is more your interest, visit the clubhouse at Creswell Clay Target Sports.

After a morning of sport, you'll be ready for a leisurely afternoon once again sampling Oregon's famous Pinots.

Saginaw Vineyard

If you chose target shooting, Saginaw Vineyard is nearby and the perfect follow up stop. At Saginaw Vineyard, the tasting room is a classic red barn and the country vibe is strong. You may see sheep in the vineyards as you approach. Saginaw is known for their fun fruit wines along with the traditional varietals. Try something new!

King Estate

Next King Estate, Oregon's largest producer of Pinot Gris (their signature wine) and Pinot Noir. This grand wine estate is not only staggeringly beautiful, crowning the hill with its European-style winery, it offers an elegant tasting experience. Reserve a view table and enjoy cheese and charcuterie plates paired perfectly with a King Estate wine. Owned by the King family, the acreage includes organic vineyards, orchards, vegetable, fruit and herb gardens. Beneficial insects and raptors such as owls and kestrels are used to combat pests and King Estate has partnered with the Cascades Raptor Center, a wild bird rehabilitation center, as a raptor release site.

Visit a Covered Bridge

This sweet side trip is perfect if you have only picked up bottles of wine along the way and haven't had lunch yet. Unpack your hamper of delicious treats from Creswell Bakery after exploring the historic Coyote Creek Covered Bridge. This tiny covered bridge was built in 1922 and vehicles up to 16 tons can still drive through it. Watch for birds and other wildlife.

Sarver Winery

If you've made Coyote Creek Covered Bridge one of your sightseeing stops, go further to visit Sarver Winery. Sip wine on the patio overlooking a sweeping view of the valley toward the Three Sisters Mountains. Winemaker David Hook, together with owners Chris and Erin Server, produces excellent estate wines featuring Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Early Muscat, and Gewurztraminer.

Sweet Cheeks Winery

Founded by Dan Smith, Sweet Cheeks is one of the few wineries you can currently enjoy a self-guided flight of wines that were crafted by winemaker, Leo Gabica. Enjoy the wines with views of the vineyards that gave this winery its name on the expansive outdoor patio. Taste estate grown Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling or maybe celebrate with a bottle of sparkling wine made from estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes — named "Trio" for the three additions to the Sweet Cheeks Winery's third generation who were born the same vintage the grapes were harvested.

Silvan Ridge Winery

Right across from Sweet Cheeks is Silvan Ridge Winery. A natural amphitheater setting with grassy lawns makes this the ideal destination for enjoying live music. Silvan offers evening weekend concerts during the summer. Bring a blanket, low chairs and a picnic dinner and relax beneath the twilight skies with a great bottle of wine. Wrap up your day of wineries with a gentle, musical finish.

More Fun Things to Do

Schedule a visit Diamond Woods Golf Course, a championship golf course voted one of the "Top Ten Golf Get-aways" by the Oregonian newspaper. Conclude the day's wine tour with a round of golf. From the greens, enjoy views of the vineyards, farmland and distant snow capped mountains. If you have a small group, you may even wish to stay onsite here at the Inn at Diamond Woods, a well-appointed, 6,000 sq. ft. guest house overlooking the golf course. With four large suites, each with its own bath, three event rooms and a full caterers' kitchen, this is a stunning private space to gather with family or friends.

Another fine finish to your day of wine tasting is to take a jet boat tour of the Willamette River, departing from Harrisburg. Cruise the scenic waterways relaxing with your favorite bottle of wine from the day's tastings. Watch for wildlife along the shore and learn about the history of the watershed.

Back in Eugene, enjoy dinner at Marché Restaurant. This destination foodie hot spot serves up French-inspired cuisine with farm fresh ingredients and regional wines that celebrate the bounty of the region.