Pacific Northwest 2025

It was time for another trip to the Willamette Valley and the perfect time to do that is during the  harvest.  The vineyards are buzzing, the air is crisp, and the valley is bathed in afternoon sun and fall colors.  As we did last time, we started in Astoria, where we visited one of our favorite whiskey bars as a reward for finally locating the Goonies House.  We then made our way down the coast, with a quick stop to admire the haystacks in Cannon Beach and took up residence in our prized boutique hotel in McMinnville.  We departed from our own winery wanderings this trip, hiring a guide/driver who introduced us to some incredible people running private wineries.  It was an intimate departure from the large tasting rooms, and it gave us the opportunity to pick up some less distributed wines.  We also spent a couple of days in Hood River with a trip up to Timberline Lodge.  My cousins in White Salmon, WA were kind enough to host us one evening at their home in the mountains strategically positioned with a full-on view of Mt. Adams.  The Pacific Northwest is a great place to visit in the Fall and coming home with a suitcase full of wine to sustain us through the upcoming Minnesota winter is a bonus.