Hands down the best trip Jaggs and I have taken together, it was pulling teeth to get me to come home. Everything about our 7 day visit was perfection. Food. Wine. Beer. Doctor. Scenery. Perfect in every way. This is a trip that everyone can afford and should be at the top of their travel list.
Where we stayed:
Fabulous one bedroom apartment in the Knob Hill area in Portland. The price and location can't be beat. http://www.vrbo.com/566301?utm_campaign=VRBO_TRV_RES_HASC_replyReservationBlank_PPS&utm_content=propid_text_o_lprop&utm_term=20151021&utm_source=SYS&utm_medium=email
R.R. Thompson House-a quaint B&B in wine country. I am not sure I would give this place rave reviews if you are looking for luxury or a kick ass breakfast. If you are looking for a place to rest your head (and there are not many in wine country) then it is perfect. Carlon, OR is out of a movie set and is simple and quite. The B&B reflects this sentiment.
What we did:
We split up the trip with two days in wine country and four days in Portland. On the way from wine country to Portland we drove along the coast which was MAGNIFICENT!
Alloro Estate Vineyard-on the way from the airport this was our first top as it was a perfect way to cheer to finally getting to Oregon. The views from the porch make you feel as though you are in Tuscany and the atmosphere is the most relaxing. However, the wines are not that great. Maybe I needed to get my taste buds ready to switch from Napa Cabs to Oregon Pinot but we didn't buy any wines here if that gives you any indication. But, I would stop here again just for the views
Soter Vineyard-by far one of the best tasting experiences and wines I have ever done. Between the fire going inside the "house", the 360 views of wine country and the truly amazing wine this will always be at the top of our travel Oregon list
Alexana Winery-we opted for a private tasting experience which was well worth the money. The wines are very full bodied and they give you a lot to taste
Torri Mor-we thought this was going to be a miss because the tasting room is SO small but 12 wines later we were singing a different song. They make a port that will make my winter hibernation enjoyable and their Pinots are pretty fabulous. We also got a sticker from the tasting room manger that allowed us to ship wines for free through Alaskan Airlines, so travel hack, ask for it!
Cannon Bach (Haystack Rock)-pictures and words will not do this justice. The drive up the cost from Willamattee Valley is enough in of itself but once you get the beach you feel like heaven may be on this earth. It is STUNNING and worth the drive. I only wish we had taken a blanket and wine to the beach and spent the day in Oregon nirvana
Rose Test Garden and Japanese Garden-sad to say that both of these were closed during our visit but it is a must visit (and free) for an alcohol free activity
Multnomah Waterfall-I am not an outdoors person (except happy hour and tailgating) so the thought of spending half a day looking/walking around waterfalls was not ideal. I was wrong. A 25 minute drive from Portland is a state park and the drive is similar to the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are about three beautiful waterfalls that you can walk up to and take pictures. It is worth your time and the drive is gorgeous!
What we ate:
Thislte-2012 Best Restaurant in Oregon and everything on the menu comes from within 60 miles of the restaurant. Very small, need a reservation and a perfect compliment to wine country life
Red Hills Market-a PERFECT wine country lunch spot with sandwiches, brick oven pizzas, cheeses and coffee. If you have been to Napa think Oakville Grocery
Cuvee-I want to love this french bistro in sweet Carlon but it was just okay. I think I give it the okay rating because we had such killer food the whole trip that if this is the worst of the best then that is how I would classify it
The Schooner on Netarts Bay-when you start your drive along the coast to Cannon Beach this is A MUST stop for their oyster po boy. Dear gawd it was amazing and a total surprise. Please please please dont be scared of the description of what is on it because I will tell you it works and it will make your day
Coopers Hall-forget breweries, this is a wine bar set up like a brewery. Over 20 wines on tap and strung Christmas lights make this a perfect happy hour location
Andina-wow. Make a reservation. Get the ceviche and let me know if it is not one of the most phenomenal dishes you have every had. Even my vegan main dish was off the charts. The wine list is extensive and the restaurant itself is hoppin' with locals and business folks
Mother's Bistro Cafe-got a rec to go here for breakfast while we were in wine country. Salmon hash with over easy eggs. Do I need to say more?
Alder Street Food Pod-over 50 food pods aka Food Trucks lining an entire square block with anything your heart desires. Come hungry and try lots of different pods
Boke Bowl-how do I saw this without causing you to eat the computer with my description of all the food we ordered? This is hands down one of the best places we ate that is not only delicious but it is wallet friendly. I think we got five different dishes and said that everything we had was the best we had ever eaten
Pok Pok-does not wrong. I am sad to say that with my veggie lifestyle I didnt get to try the famous chicken wings but if I ate meat this would be at the top of my list. Again, we ordered 4 different dishes and each one was better than the one before. Get there early because their line had already formed at 11:15 when we got there
Portobello-vegan bistro anyone? A restaurant that makes you feel rewarded and "normal" for being vegan. Yes, please. The beet tartar will make you want to vegan and their homemade pasta/gnocchi is to die for
Multomah Whiskey Library-I feel like I have done the leg work on great bars, until I walked into this one and realized that I hadn't lived yet. Take a step back into Mad Men days with table side service, roaring fires and dim lights. There is so much to choose from on the menu that I asked our personal bartender to just make me something. Jaggs had a Manhattan. I repeat, Jaggs had a Manhattan. If you know Jaggs, you will go here and know it is a win for mankind
Moberi-order a smoothie and mix it yourself with a bike? Yes.
Apizza Scholls-One. Of. The. Best. Pizza. Joints. Of. My. Life.
Breweries/Bars we went to:
I don't usually do this, but we went to so many (lush) in Portland that I will just list them all and know that you must go.
Broadway Brewhouse
Hair of the Dog
Commons Brewery
10 Barrel Brewery
Hopworks Urban Brewery
Sunshine Tavern
American Local
Whiskey Soda Lounge
Portland Brewing Company
Y'all, Oregon is the best hidden gem in this country. It took me a few days to get the courage to want to share with you travel recs because I am scared the secret will get out about how amazing this state is. Everything we did and tasted was just phenomenal and we will be back VERY soon.
