If you’re a wine lover planning a romantic getaway to the Salem region, winter is an idyllic time to visit. January through March is Willamette Valley cellar season, when the vineyards outside are mist-covered and dormant, but the tasting rooms are alive with stoked fires, first sips of new releases, gourmet food pairings and passionate conversations between friends — and winemakers. The Salem area also has several inviting lodging options, from cute bed and breakfasts to resorts and downtown hotels with all the modern amenities, so here’s how to cozy up and savor the season.
Day 1: Savor Brunch, Antiquing and Main Street Shopping
Start your morning with a warm egg, bacon and Tillamook cheese breakfast sandwich served on a gluten-free bun or a gooey from-scratch cinnamon roll from Aurora’s White Rabbit Bakery. If you arrive in the afternoon, the peppery Italian sandwich is also fantastic. The historic town of Aurora is famous for antiquing, so you’ll want to browse the shops along Main Street and hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures.
Next, drive about 15 minutes west to the tasting room at Lady Hill Winery, located on a 1,500-acre family farm. Enjoy a current-release tasting of the winery’s polished Northwest expressions of classic European styles, including cabernet Franc and Rhône-style blends.
The 1880s aesthetic and elevated comfort food at Filberts Farmhouse Kitchen are worth the drive back to Aurora for lunch. Try the chicken and dumplings with scratch-made gravy on a chilly afternoon. Next, stop by Hanson Vineyard’s charming tasting room for a flight of estate-grown pinot noir or pinot gris; you might even nab the chance to chat with the winemaker, Jason Hanson. Hanson is a member of Cascade Foothills Winegrowers, an association of 15 family-owned winemakers who are nestled into the foothills of Oregon’s longest mountain range.
Day 2: Enjoy Art Galleries, Pinot Noir and a Romantic Steakhouse Dinner
Stroll walkable downtown Salem in the morning, popping into local boutiques and coffee shops, and then head to the Hallie Ford Museum of Art across from the landmark Oregon state capitol — Oregon’s third-largest museum. You can admire Native American ceremonial masks and other works by Pacific Northwest artists in the permanent galleries. The special exhibits are equally impressive and range from beloved classical works to provocative modern pieces.
Next up, it’s wine time at the family-owned Honeywood Winery, minutes from the museum. Honeywood is the oldest winery in Oregon, producing everything from local Marionberry dessert wine and blackberry mead to signature varietals like Poodle Pinot. Enjoy a flight of four wines, all crafted from Willamette Valley bounty, and hit the gift shop for a few bottles to take home, plus Oregon-centric souvenirs.
Wind down your amazing day by grabbing a table for two at one of Salem’s outstanding local eateries. Cozy Amadeus is a wonderful pick for New American classics like tea-smoked Painted Hills brisket; the romantic vibe at Rudy’s Steakhouse is as tantalizing as the filet mignon and four-layer chocolate cake.
Day 3: Experience Scenic Hikes, Fireside Wine Tasting and Local Brews
Ease into your last day with a morning walk at the 1,173-acre Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 14 miles west of Salem. While most trails are closed during winter to provide sanctuary for the dusky Canada goose, the 2-mile Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail is open year-round and winds through a native coniferous forest with a lush understory, summits Baskett Butte and ascends to an observation platform, where you can spot thousands of migratory waterfowl in winter — and a few Van Duzer Corridor AVA wineries.
One of those is Van Duzer Vineyards, which is perched on a windy knoll in the direct path of the corridor’s cooling marine winds. Opt for a Block Collection tasting, where a concierge will guide you and your partner through a multi-sensory journey of six handcrafted pinot noirs, plus give you the inside scoop on the vineyard’s winemaking process.
Next up is the serene and barn-like tasting room at Namaste Vineyard. Kick back in front of the wood-burning fireplace and enjoy a leisurely five-wine flight of exceptionally balanced pinot noir or white wine, along with charcuterie.
Top off your romantic afternoon in the historic town of Independence, located along the Willamette River, and enjoy dinner at the spacious and friendly Gilgamesh Brewing. The Woods Burger with sautéed shiitake mushrooms hits the spot after a day of hiking and tastings. Wash it down with a tangerine-tinged pint of Gilgamesh Mamba Ale and toast your Salem-area weekend getaway.
