About the Author

Margarett Waterbury

Margarett Waterbury is a lifelong Northwesterner who writes about food, drinks, travel and agriculture for local and national press. She lives in a 90-year-old bungalow in Southeast Portland and enjoys high-octane coffee, low-ABV beers and walking long distances.

Autumn Adventures in Rogue Valley Wine Country

September 7, 2022
With the frenzy of summer behind us, we’ll let you in on a little secret: Autumn is actually the best time of year for outdoor adventures in Southern Oregon. Crisp weather. No crowds. That relaxed locals-only vibe. No need to reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes. It’s enough to make summer jealous. It’s also a great time of year to drop in on one (or several) of the Rogue Valley Wine Country‘s remarkable destination tasting rooms. With the hubbub of harvest behind us, winemakers are eager... More
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Southern Oregon , Favorite Trips , Culinary Experiences , Ziplining , Hiking & Backpacking , Wine & Wineries , Destinations , Outdoor Recreation , Eat & Drink , Activities ,

Canoeing the Willamette River Water Trail

May 13, 2021
Extending almost 190 miles along the length of Western Oregon’s Willamette River, the Willamette River Water Trail is a network of paddler-centric parks, natural areas and campsites. “It’s one of just a handful of nationally recognized water trails,” says Kate Ross Kuthe, outreach and education coordinator for Willamette Riverkeeper, a nonprofit organization that manages the Water Trail and works to ensure a clean, healthy river. “But it’s still under the radar.” More
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Willamette Valley , Independence , Canoeing , Paddle Sports , Outdoor Recreation ,

Forest Trails After Fire: A Hiker’s Guide to Seeing the Beauty in Burns

February 25, 2021
It’s not an unusual experience for Oregon hikers. While walking on a verdant, shaded trail, you spy a brightening in the forest ahead. Stepping forward, you find not a lake or meadow but a wildfire scar. Perhaps it’s spangled with wildflowers and brushy new growth — or maybe it’s fresh enough to catch the lingering scent of charcoal in the air. More
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Hiking & Backpacking , Outdoor Recreation ,

Make Holiday Desserts Sing with Willamette Valley Flavors

December 10, 2020
One of our favorite things about the winter holidays? The reliable sense of joy that comes from popping a tray of cookies in the oven and basking in the irresistible aroma of flour, sugar and butter slowly transforming into little discs of good cheer. More
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Eat & Drink ,

Give the Gift of Central Oregon

November 19, 2020
Supporting local merchants, makers, brewers, artists, designers, craftspeople and guides is one of the best ways to keep this part of the state so unique. Central Oregon’s many independent businesses make it easy to gift a little high-desert cheer to everyone on your shopping list. More
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Central Oregon , Shopping ,

5 Fabulous Willamette Valley Tasting Experiences to Try

June 12, 2019
Tasting pinot after an hour-long, up-close-and-personal stroll through the vines that grew the fruit that’s in your glass? That’s the kind of day you’ll remember long after the bottle is empty. More
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Willamette Valley , Eugene , Wine & Wineries , Eat & Drink ,

Tempranillo for Two in the Umpqua Valley

May 22, 2019
The Umpqua Valley in southern Oregon is becoming a powerhouse producer of tempranillo. Known for its rich cherry and leather flavors, gentle spice, and silky tannin, tempranillo is widely grown in Spain and plays a key role in the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions. More
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Southern Oregon , Roseburg , Wine & Wineries ,

5 Ways for Families to Unplug in Bandon

April 2, 2019
Ready for a time-out from your frenetic pace? You’re ready for Bandon. For families looking to reconnect with one another the old-fashioned way — you know, face to face — there’s no better place to put the technology away. More
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Oregon Coast , Bandon , Favorite Trips ,

Food, Family and Wine in the Rogue Valley

February 25, 2019
It’s approaching evening, and the sun slips behind the forested hills of Oregon’s Siskiyou Range. You’re nestled in a corner of DANCIN Vineyard’s heated piazza sharing a bottle of silky 2017 Adagio Southern Oregon pinot noir with two of your closest friends. Here’s how you can experience all that this acclaimed Rogue Valley estate has to offer. More
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Southern Oregon , Jacksonville , Wine & Wineries ,

Cellar Season in the Willamette Valley

November 9, 2018
Here’s a vintners secret: Winter may be the best time to visit Oregon’s wine country. After the final grape clusters are plucked from the vines, the whole tempo slows down. The days may be short and the rain may drizzle, but the gray months between the emptying of the last harvest bin and the first bud break offers a chance to experience another, more intimate side of the Willamette Valley More
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Willamette Valley , Wine & Wineries ,