You’re in luck! Even though Oregon is definitely famous for Pinot Noir, that is not to say that Cabernet is left out. Turn your attention to Southern Oregon Wine for a bounty of bold reds including Cab, Merlot, Tempranillo, Syrah, Zinfandel, and others. I really enjoy those by Troon Vineyard and Cliff Creek Cellars. Soléna Estate and Zenas Wines have some great options too using fruit sourced from southern Oregon. While the former two are based in Southern Oregon, all four have tasting rooms in Carlton, OR if you’re in the Willamette Valley. Hope this helps get you started!

If you’re looking for a guide/driver check with Ralph at Grape Escape out of Portland. or Byron who is based in Eugene at Grand Cru Wine Tours. I’ve met both of them when I worked in a tasting room myself, and would highly recommend them.

The name, according to the City of Grants Pass, was selected to honor General U.S. Grant’s success at Vicksburg and a post office was established in 1865. Until after the turn of the century the name still retained the original spelling of Grant’s Pass, using an apostrophe. For more on the area’s history check out the Josephine County Historical Society.

If you want to spend time in Ashland, your best bet is Ashland Hostel, which has dorm rooms for less than $30 per night. See this link. On the other end of the Rogue Valley, Valley of the Rogue State Park just north of Gold Hill is one of the nicest state parks, where you can have a yurt all to yourself for $36 per night. It’s heated, too. Depending on the time of the year, and day of the week, you can book with short notice online. Check out the park here.

Here is a great website with some other lodging options in the Hood River area.

I see on your site that you have already visited the historic highway through the Gorge, but it would merit a visit again, and the fall colors should be reaching peak color around the time or your visit.

You may also be interested in the Hood River Fruit Loop as your timing will put you at the peak of harvest season there, and yet more fantastic fall color.

Do the entire loop around Mount Hood following Highway 35, and make a stop at Timberline Lodge to get up close in personal with the mountain. It may even greet you with some fresh snow.

There are tons of great rides in the Columbia Gorge, 60 miles from Portland. There are no mountain bike trails of that length in PDX itself, but Forest Park has fireroad riding and very limited singletrack.

The Oregon Brew Fest (in July) for one thing! Several street fairs & take place in July/Aug too, also Sunday Parkways . If you like sports, don’t miss a chance to see the Timbers (our soccer team) play at home!

I’d check out Astoria and Canon Beach, see this blog entry. I would take I-5 to Hwy 38 to the coast and down to San Francisco.

I am so pleased you’ll be visiting our amazing state. And September is the very best month to do so, in my humble opinion. Here in Central Oregon the skies are a bit clearer and warmer than the rest of the state. And while it can be tricky to find this regions’ roots buried under the growth and culture that has come our way in the last decades, country/western is where we began! You can still wear cowboy boots and find bluegrass and country music in these parts. I suggest you check out one of our ranch-style resorts – Black Butte Ranch, Brasada Ranch, Suttle Lake resort, or Five Pine resort – for an authentic western experience. Have a wonderful time!