The closest wine country to Portland, Oregon’s Tualatin Valley is an ideal destination for a day of unrushed wine tasting — especially if you’re a fan of sparkling wine. The region is part of the globally celebrated Willamette Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), with over 40 estate wineries and tasting rooms spread across two sub-AVAs: the Tualatin Hills AVA to the north and the Laurelwood District AVA to the south. Both are known for their rich volcanic-basalt Laurelwood soils, a remnant of the Missoula Floods that adds minerality to the region’s wines.
While these twin AVAs are home to plenty of pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay, Tualatin Valley is also an excellent place to immerse yourself in Oregon’s burgeoning sparkling-wine scene. Here are a few great spots to start your experience — just make sure to arrange your tastings in advance, as space at these popular spots can be limited.
Where to Taste Italian-Inspired Wines in Oregon
Set amongst sprawling vineyards flanked by rolling hills, Apolloni Vineyards has been crafting Tualatin Valley wine inspired by Italian winemaking techniques since 1999. At the helm of this family-owned operation is Alfredo Apolloni, who spent his childhood summers working on his own family’s vineyards in Italy. Expect a range of wines, including whites fermented in stainless-steel vessels without malolactic fermentation, in a true Northern Italian style. Bubbly options include an Estate Sparkling Rosé crafted with pinot noir grapes. For a slightly sweeter semi-sparkling option made from muscat, don’t miss the Moscato Frizzante, with fruit and floral notes that make it perfect for spring sipping. Try both for yourself at the tasting room, which offers indoor and outdoor seating and a bocce court.
In Cornelius, Dion Vineyard is another family-owned favorite that was first established as a small pinot vineyard back in the 1970s and has remained in the same family ever since. These days the bulk of Dion’s production is focused on pinot noir, pinot gris and sparkling wine, with small batches of tempranillo, viognier and more. Don’t miss the Wedding Tree Cuvée, made primarily with pinot noir (and a dash of chardonnay) using the same traditional method employed in Champagne.
Willamette Valley Wineries With Great Views
On the edge of Newberg, Raptor Ridge Winery features a gently sloped vineyard offering beautiful views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and, on clear days, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier. It’s a great place to spend a bit of time simply soaking in the scenery, whether during a wine tasting on Raptor Ridge’s elevated tasting patio or on a guided vineyard stroll. Don’t miss the Estate Cuvée Blanc de Noirs, made from pinot noir grapes grown in the winery’s 1-acre Block 1, dubbed the “bubbles block.” Raptor Ridge’s Sparkling Brut Rosé is another bubbly must-try. This bright wine is also made from Block 1 pinot noir using similar fermentation and production methods as its blanc de noirs counterpart.
In Sherwood, Hawks View Winery offers equally fantastic tasting-room views, with indoor and outdoor tasting spaces where you can take in sweeping views while tasting wines. The food menu here goes beyond cheese and charcuterie to include soups, flatbreads and sandwiches. All of Hawks View’s pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay are estate-grown, including the pinot noir used to produce its delicious Frizzante Noir. Inspired by Italy’s lambrusco, this effervescent drink leans sweet and refreshing, with noticeable berry flavors. For something a little less adventurous but equally delicious, try the Sparkling Rosé, a light, refreshing option with hints of strawberry and lemon.
Taste Champagne in Tualatin Valley
Hillsboro’s Blizzard Wines produces a huge range of wine, from the expected pinots and chardonnays made from fruit grown at their estate to warmer-weather varietals (think merlot and syrah) grown in the Columbia Valley. They’re also a major importer of French Champagne, which is showcased alongside Blizzard’s own wines at its tasting room. Just don’t expect to see the same big-name Champagnes found at your local supermarket. Instead, owners Dana and Nick Blizzard focus squarely on grower Champagnes, which are produced by the actual growers rather than large Champagne companies. Options range from brut millésimes (harvested in single, acclaimed years) to bright, fruit-forward rosés. A few of Blizzard’s Champagnes are even available in 1.5-liter magnum bottles.
