If you are looking for a wine tasting tour with variety, history, scenic views and rolling vineyards, then all you have to do is head to the wineries in the Columbia River Gorge. On both the Washington and Oregon sides, many varieties of grapes grow in abundance, along with fruits and other local ingredients, to make a plethora of fine wines. You will find both wine tasting rooms and well as vineyards that are open to the public.
Wineries on the Oregon Side of the Gorge
Hood Crest Winery
Blues recording artists Tess and Patrick Barr have been making wine in the Columbia River Gorge since the 1980s. Hood Crest Winery is located at the foot of Mount Hood, giving it spectacular views and making it definitely worth a visit. The winery focuses on big reds and boutique wines, and one of their specialties is sparking apple wine. They have a full kitchen – be sure to try the pizza! – and do not allow outside food or drink. Children and leashed pets are welcome.
1900 Orchard Road, Hood River
541-716-0140
Mt. Hood Winery
The Bickford family has taken five generations of fruit growing expertise to turn their century-old farm into a gorgeous vineyard. Mt. Hood Winery uses local fruits like pears and peaches to create scrumptious reds and whites. Drop in during tasting room hours to walk through the vines with incredible views of Mount Hood. Visitors can check out the bottling facility and aging process as well.
2882 Van Horn Drive, Hood River
541-386-8333
Viento Wines
Hood River local Rich Cushman apprenticed in Germany before returning to the states. He then spent 25 years making wines in McMinnville. In the Columbia River Gorge area, he produces Riesling and has an estate vineyard in Hood River that was planted 28 years ago. Viento Wines partners with other vineyards throughout the Pacific Northwest to get the perfect grapes for his wines. You can drop in to their tasting room in Hood River during open hours.
301 Country Club Road, Hood River
541-386-3026
Cathedral Ridge Winery
Cathedral Ridge Winery has 13 vineyards that produce almost every classic varietal. Their beautiful vineyard is a perfect place for a tasting and a tour, and they have a few options including their standard tasting, reserve tasting, tour & tasting, barrel tasting and private tasting. You can reserve online or by calling or emailing them at crw@cathedralridgewinery.com. If you have a group of six or more, contact them to make your reservation at tours@cathedralridgewinery.com.
4200 Post Canyon Drive, Hood River
800-516-8710
Marchesi Vineyards
An Italian native, Franco Marchesi focuses on producing Italian varietals at the foot of Mount Hood, which is on the same latitude as Piedmont, the town in Italy where he was born. Marchesi Vineyards has a gorgeous tasting room with a large covered outdoor patio, heavily influenced by Italian landscaping and architecture. Heaters and blankets are available on the patio for chilly days. Children are welcome. Drop by during their tasting room hours – Franco will be there to welcome you.
3955 Belmont Drive, Hood River
541-386-1800
Cerulean Wine
Cerulean Wine creates estate and sparkling wines from Pacific Northwest grapes. Their estate, small lot productions are fun flavor fantasies dreamed up by the winemakers. Their tasting room in Hood River is a charming place with seasonal outdoor seating and local artwork. Drop in during tasting room hours or email info@ceruleanwine.com for parties with six or more guests.
304 Oak Street, Hood River
503-308-9137
Upside Down Wine
Upside Down Wine is a wine with a purpose – 20 percent of net proceeds are passed on to their partner non-profit organizations. You’ll find some unique wines to try here, often produced in limited quantities so you will likely find something new on repeat visits. Drop into their tasting room during regular hours or call for private appointments.
311 Oak Street, Hood River
541-436-3851
Stave & Stone Wine Estates
The Fletcher family has farmed at the base of Mount Hood for five generations. Stave & Stone Wine Estates consults Columbia Gorge wine experts and uses local grapes to create fantastic wines. You can taste wine at either location, both downtown and at their stunning estate, which has spectacular views of Mount Adams and the Valley. They have many varietals as well as special blends. Check their special events page for upcoming live music and wine.
Tasting Room
210 Oak Street, Hood River
541-490-9461
Winery at the Vineyard
3827 Fletcher Dr, Hood River
541-946-3750
Mylan Wines
Mylan Wines are unique as they are natural – meaning they use none of the nearly 200 allowed additives. Nor do they take away anything. Each weekend, the winery hosts a tasting featuring wine from a different region, check their events page for upcoming dates. Drop into their tasting room during regular hours.
111 2nd Street Suite 300, Hood River
541-819-0687
Naked Winery
Naked Winery produces over 45,000 cases of wine a year, which is a huge growth from 2010 when they were producing 2,000 a year. They have four tasting rooms in Oregon, but Hood River is their flagship. Children are welcome and they do have small plates – meat and cheese – as well as complimentary Goldfish crackers and Belgian chocolates. They host events and sometimes close early or late for these, so check their website for upcoming dates, otherwise you can drop-in during regular hours.
102 2nd Street, Hood River
541-386-3700
Stoltz Winery
If you are looking for wine uniquely created, stop by Stoltz Winery. They produce single-barrel lots of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Primitivo, exclusive blends and unique varietal wines such as Aglianico, Sagrantino, Zweigelt and others. Their wines feature a glass stopper format and is unfiltered. The Hood River tasting room offers scenic views of the Gorge, which always pairs well with a glass of wine. Interestingly, their winery is located in the oldest house in Hood River, “The Mansion on the Hill” built in 1886. Visit their tasting room during regular hours.
514 State Street, Hood River
541-716-1330
The Pines 1852
The owners of The Pines 1852 operate their own winery and vineyard and are involved in every step of the process. They create estate-grown, limited production boutique wines. You can go to their gorgeous tasting room with a cherry wood bar and bistro seating in Hood River, or head to the stunning estate in the Dalles. The Pines Estate Experience includes a tour, wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres. They do host weddings and events at the estate. For upcoming live music events, check their website.
Tasting Room
202 Cascade Ave Suite B, Hood River
541-993-8301
Estate
5450 Mill Creek Road, The Dalles
541-993-8301
Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza & Winery
If you love history, the Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza & Winery is a great stop. Wheat was milled here for over 130 years and it was the first building in The Dalles to have electricity. Today, the mill houses two wineries, Quenett and Copa Di Vino. Drop in to learn more about the history and taste wines from both wineries. The mill is also a great place for events, including weddings.
901 East Second Street, The Dalles
541-298-8900
Analemma Wines
Steven Thompson and Kris Fade have worked hard to preserve the 50-year history of their vines at Analemma Wines, while creating fine wines using rare fruit and holistic practices. They have an indoor tasting room as well as an outdoor patio. Drop in during their seasonal hours, or make a reservation anytime. Reservations are required for groups of six or more. Email cellardoor@analemmawines.com for reservations.
120 State Road, Mosier
541-478-2873
Garnier Vineyards
Garnier Vineyards is located on the Mayerdale Estate, a historical farm established in 1910. The impressive colonial mansion was completed in 1913 and still stands today. Reminiscent of Southern colonial mansions, it’s worth a visit. The vineyard is kept with sustainability and stewardship in mind, with a focus on creating flavorful Oregon wines. Drop by during tasting room hours or call for a special appointment.
8467 Highway 30 West, Moiser
541-478-2200
Idiot’s Grace
Idiot’s Grace wines are created using organically farmed grapes on farms on both the Washington and the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. They specialize in creative wines that bring out the best in the region’s flavors. Their beautiful tasting room is on their vineyard, where you can take a tour and have a picnic.
8450 Highway 30, Moisier
541-399-5259
Wineries on the Washington Side of the Columbia River Gorge
Domaine Pouillon
Domaine Pouillon is a family-owned winery where each grape is hand-picked at just the right time. Owners Alexis and Juliet Pouillon practice traditional (non-mechanized) wine-making processes and use only neutral French oak cooperages for red wines and mixed neutral oak/stainless steel for white wines. Drop in during tasting room hours or email them at cory@domainepouillon.com for a tasting appointment. Check out their upcoming events page to see special activities happening at the winery.
170 Lyle Snowden Road, Lyle
509-365-2795
Syncline Winery
A boutique winery, Syncline Winery uses local Washington grapes to create small productions – under 6,000 cases annually – to “ensure intimacy with each barrel and every vine.” Their first vintage used grapes from vines planted in 1973. Their tasting area is surrounded by their winery, vineyards and gardens. You can bring your own picnic food or purchase items that pare perfectly with your tasting. The outdoor space has hammocks and Adirondack chairs, so you can relax and enjoy the views and wines. Drop in during tasting room hours. For groups of more than six, email sarah@synclinewine.com or call for reservations.
111 Balch Road, Lyle
509-365-4361
Klickitat Canyon & Columba Gorge Winery
This small family-run winery creates “natural wines in the old-world tradition.” Klickitat Canyon & Columba Gorge Winery uses the natural yeasts found on the grapes to ferment its wines and adds no chemicals. Wines are stomped manually and stored in oak barrels, and the winery practices sustainable farming. Drop in during regular hours or call to make an appointment.
6 Lyle Snowden Road, Lyle
541-400-8147
AniChe Cellars
A small, family-run winery, AniChe Cellars focuses on traditional European blends using Washington grapes. Drop into their tasting room during open hours. Visit their events page for upcoming events hosted at their tasting room.
71 Little Buck Creek Road, Underwood
360-624-6531
Hawkins Cellars
The owner of Hawkins Cellars is Thane Hawkins, who worked in the animation industry on movies including “Shrek,” “Monster’s Inc.” and “ANTZ.” Now, he makes sweet wine in the Willamette Valley and the Columba River Gorge National Scenic Area. The tasting room in Underwood is just 10 minutes from Hood River and has beautiful views of the Valley and Mount Hood. Hawkins Cellars focus on cool climate varietals, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as Rhone varietals. Drop in during tasting room hours, or email them at casandra@hawkinscellars.com, to reserve a private tasting or reserve seating for large groups.
10401 Cook Underwood Road, Underwood
503-505-4359
White Salmon Vineyard
The owner of White Salmon Vineyard, Peter Breham, has been crafting wines for over 40 years. In 1989, he purchased a farm that had a failing pear orchard, which he has transformed into a stunning vineyard that creates both reds and whites. The tasting room has view of the Columbia River and Mount Hood, and is full of artwork from local artists that rotates. Make an appointment to visit by calling or emailing tastingroom@wsvwine.com.
63281 State Route 14, Underwood
509-493-4640
Major Creek Cellars
If you like to taste very limited boutique wines, Major Creek Cellars is a good stop. They produce approximately 200 cases a year, creating wines that are vineyard specific. Their focus is premium, affordable wines and they use only one mechanical process during the entire wine productions. Tastings are by appointment only to keep things intimate. Call to make your reservation.
306 Bates Road, White Salmon
503-860-8713
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery
The Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery tasting room is a beautiful and inviting spot. Giant timbers, fresco-style paintings and art of their own vineyard makes you feel you transported to the countryside. At their winery in Wishram, you can view the production area and they also have multiple tasting rooms. They have both reds and whites available for tasting.
8866 Highway 14, Wishram (vineyard and tasting room)
509-767-1100
211 Oak Street, Hood River (tasting room)
541-436-4215
Jacob Williams Winery
With over 40 years of wine-making experience, Jacob Williams Winery knows how to craft a good vintage. Their tasting room has a gorgeous wrap-around porch that allows you to soak in the views of the Columbia River, vineyards and orchards as you sip your wine.
3 Avery Road, Wishram
541-645-0462
