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Washington and Oregon Wineries & Wine Country Regions
Columbia Gorge
Wine Country
...its
Wineries and Wines
Tour Guides and Driving
Services
If you have never traveled in the Columbia River Gorge, you are
in for a spectacular scenic and sensory treat! And... Columbia
Gorge wine country is home to more than 90
vineyards and 1,300+ vineyard acres, as well as close to 50
wineries and tasting rooms between
Troutdale, Oregon and Maryhill, Washington!
In November of 1986, the Columbia River Gorge was designated the nation's first
National Scenic Area. It set the standard
for this then-new federal designation and the resources protection it
represented. Clearly, the Gorge
is unique
and one of the most dramatic river
canyons in the
Western Hemisphere. In fact, it is the only such passage through
any major mountain range in the Western Hemisphere. Its
geologic history is not one of common or gradual processes, but rather
one of
dramatic events that first laid down, then tore through,
thousands of years of volcanic activity. Its near-sea-level
canyon and waterway have served as a highway for millennia - a highway
used by first people of the region, by explorers and by Euro American
settlers. Here, the mighty Columbia River flows approximately 80 miles from one side
of the Cascade Mountain Range to the other, following a path scoured out by the force of repetitive and cataclysmic floods
some12,000 and 18,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age.
A many-chaptered, astonishing story of Columbia-Basin volcanism and
"The
Great Floods"
that followed is written in the
precipitous walls of columnar basalt that punctuate the landscape of the Columbia River Gorge. Other geological
records of these repetitive volcanic and glacial outburst flooding periods are found in
many locations throughout Oregon and Washington, but nowhere are these
dramatic episodes more clearly read than in the lands of
Columbia Gorge wine country.
Epic floods...
"...among the greatest known to humanity"
As
temperatures began to rise toward the end of the last Ice Age, violent
floodwaters repeatedly broke through the confines of a 2,000-foot-high
glacial ice dam that blocked
 the
canyon of the Clark Fork River east of Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.
First breaching, then fracturing the icy monoliths, dammed waters of the
huge 3,000-square-mile Lake Missoula swept across the landscape to the
west every 40 to 140 years, tearing huge frozen blocks and boulders of
granite and schist from the walls of the dam. These cataclysmic
floods profoundly affected the geography and ways of life in the region.
Water, icebergs and boulders
combined in a powerful slurry that propelled itself across the Columbia Basin at
a speed of about 65 miles per hour and an initial maximum rate of about 9.5 cubic miles of water an hour,
scouring out the "Scablands" of eastern Washington and collecting more
soil, rocks and boulders along the way. By the time they reached
what is now the Wallula Gap, at the east end of today's Columbia River
Gorge, floodwaters had "slowed" to a
rate of 1.66 cubic miles of water an hour -- 190 times the volume of the
largest Columbia River flood in recorded history. For two or three
weeks at a time, these recurring, stone-laden floodwaters swept through
the area, scouring and sculpting the Columbia River Gorge landscape,
leaving river tributaries hanging as waterfalls in their surge toward
the sea.
Today's Columbia Gorge Wine Country
Today, the Columbia River
Gorge is not only a spectacularly beautiful testament to the power of
extraordinary natural events; it is also a storied land imprinted with a rich
cultural history thousands of years in the making. Walls of columnar
basalt capped by benchlands still seem to echo the murmurings of First
People from throughout the region and as far away as Northern California
who gathered seasonally to trade and socialize in the Gorge. Roadside
historic markers will help you appreciate the events and people who
played roles in the development of the area and its trade, including
sites along part of the trail used by Lewis and
Clark on their nation-altering expedition.
Providing a route through the bowels of
the Cascade Mountains exposed in the Columbia River Gorge, the Columbia
River and historic highways along its edges allow travelers to drive from
"the wet side" to the "dry side" of this major Northwest mountain range.
As you travel the route, you will see several eco-system transformations within an hour of
Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. Nowhere else in the
Pacific Northwest can such diversity of habitat (and terroir) be found
in such close proximity.
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The Historic Columbia River Highway is America's premiere Historic
and Scenic Highway. Built between 1913 and 1922 along the steep
cliffs of the Gorge, this narrow, curving roadway was a technological
tour-de-force when it was constructed.
The
Columbia River Gorge and its surrounding lands are unquestionably a national
treasure. Viticulturists think so, too. Pockets of old vineyards
found near Bingen, Washington, suggest this is not a new conclusion.
Today, hundreds of newer vineyard acres occupy a variety of terroir
throughout the Gorge. Flood-scoured plateau lands offer vineyardists
gravelly soils, long and sunny summer days, limited rainfall, and the
temperature-moderating influence of updrafts from the nearby Columbia River
Gorge. Delta lands of scenic rivers emptying into the Columbia River
offer rich, silty soils, sloping landscapes, and the long summer days
characteristic of this northern clime.
Climate and terrain throughout the Gorge range from conditions found in
Germany to France's Burgundy and Italy's northern Rhone Valley, as well as northwest
Piedmont. From the cool, western end of the Gorge come delicate Pinot
Noirs and Chardonnays; moving eastward, Pinot Gris is added to the mix, and warmer-weather red grapes such as
Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernets and Barberas share the warmth with white
Rieslings, Gewürztraminers and Viogniers.
The
diversity of wine grapes grown in the Columbia River Gorge are unlikely to
be matched elsewhere is such a small stretch of land. The impact In fact, so
unusual is this growing area that vineyard and winery owners filed an
application with the Alcohol and Tobacco
Tax and Trade Bureau to establish a shared appellation for Oregon and
Washington... the Columbia Gorge American Viticulture Area.
The AVA was authorized in the Federal Register on May 10, 2004.
The appellation straddles both sides of the Columbia River for a stretch of
about 15 miles, including 280 square miles.
You'll
find a growing number of wineries and tasting rooms as well - currently
more than 50 - scattered along the near
sea-level routes of both Oregon's Interstate 84 and Washington's
two-lane Highway 14, as well as on the plateau lands above the vertical
columnar basalt walls of the Gorge.
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Grapegrowing in
Columbia Gorge Wine Country
Climate, temperature (winter & summer), and rain vary from the
western end of Columbia Gorge wine country to its
eastern end. Moisture-laden marine air
from the west rises and cools as it breaches the crest of the
Cascade Mountains where an average of 75+ inches of rain falls
each year. Twenty-four miles east of this wet mountainous crest,
the boundary of the Columbia Gorge AVA begins and average annual rainfall
decreases to about 36 inches. From that point east, annual
rainfall averages decrease by about an inch every mile, with less than 10 inches per year
recorded at the eastern end of Columbia Gorge wine country in
the Biggs/Maryhill area.
The "rain-shadow effect"
is the engine that drives climate in the Gorge; rainfall
decreases and temperatures rise as air heads east
through the Gorge,
and vineyard plantings change from those grown in cool-climates like Burgundy and
Alsace to those of warm growing regions like Bordeaux, Provence and
Tuscany. At the
eastern end of Columbia Gorge wine country, the warm
continental high desert climate of
the Columbia Valley AVA reigns.
Some of the grape varieties grown in Columbia Gorge
wine country include:
Aglianico, Albariño,
Arneis, Barbera,
Cabernet Franc,
Cabernet Sauvignon,
Carménère,
Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Dolcetto, Friulano, Gamay, Gewürztraminer, Grenache,
Grüner Veltliner, Lemberger,
Malbec, Marsanne,
Merlot, Mourvèdre, Muscat,
Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah,
Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris,
Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Riesling,
Roussanne, Sangiovese,
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Syrah,
Tempranillo, Viognier,
White Riesling, Zinfandel, Zweigelt |
You
can be sure touring Columbia Gorge wine country is the stuff of
memorable journeys. Allow for plenty of "stopping time" along the
way in addition to the time you plan to spend at specific wineries.
Do
yourself a favor; take the "Scenic Route" (the
Historic Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway) on the Oregon side, or
the two-lane Highway 14 on the Washington side. You won't forget it!
Forming a border between
Washington and Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge offers wine touring on
both sides of the river with enough bridges to make interstate
touring easy.
Click on the
thumbnail map below to see a larger, detailed
map where you can locate and plan your own wine tour of both Washington
and Oregon wineries in this beautiful region. To explore lodging, dining and
touring suggestions in this region, see our lodging and dining
suggestions.
 TIP:
If you plan on visiting wineries throughout Washington, Oregon
and California any time soon, be sure to
get The Priority Wine Pass
first and take it with you. You'll save a
bundle on tasting fees and wine purchases at
participating wineries. Your membership will more than pay for itself as it
brings you an entire year of complimentary or 2-for-1 tastings, along with other
deals from these premium wineries... and WinesNorthwest users
get a $20 discount off a
$59.99 membership fee. |
Columbia Gorge
Wineries
& Touring Map
(Wineries open to the public)
Tour
Guides and Driving Services
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to see larger view of the
Oregon and Washington
Columbia Gorge wine regions.
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Alpha List of
Wineries in Columbia Gorge Wine Country
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Oregon Wineries
15 Mile Winery
(Sat & Sun, 11 am - 5 pm)
306 Court Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
541-965-1445
Analemma Winery
(Apr 5 - Oct 5, Sat & Sun, 10 am
- 5 pm
or by appointment - 541-478-2873)
1120 State Road
Mosier, OR
541-478-2873
Cabernet Creek Farms
(Visits by appointment
only - 541-308-6220)
4730 London Drive
Parkdale, OR 97041
541-308-6220
Calcagno Cellars
(Thurs & Fri, 3 - 7 pm; Sat, 1 - 7
pm)
336 E Historic Columbia River Hwy
Troutdale, OR 97060
503-618-8466
Cascade Cliffs
Hood River Tasting Room
(Daily: 12 - 7 pm)
211 Oak Street
Hood River, OR
541-436-4215
Cathedral Ridge Winery
Open Daily Year
Round:
Apr - Oct: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Nov - Mar: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
4200 Post Canyon Drive
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-2882
800-516-8710
Cerulean Winery
(Thurs
- Sun, 12 - 6 pm)
304 Oak Street
Hood River, OR 97031
503-308-9137
Edgefield Winery
(Daily - Noon to 10 pm)
2126
SW Halsey Street
Troutdale, OR 97060
503-665-2992
Garnier Vineyards at Mayerdale
(Weekends - Noon to 6:00 pm)
8467 Highway 30 West
Mosier, OR 97040
541-478-2200
The Gorge White House & Winery
(Columbia Gorge wines and beers
tasting;
Apr & May: 10-6 pm Fri-Mon, by
appt Tu-Th;
June - Sept:
10-6 pm DAILY;
Oct:
10-6 pm Fri-Mon, by
appt Tu-Th)
2265 Highway 35
(4 miles south of Hood River)
Hood River,
OR 97031
541-386-2828
Heart Catcher
(No public tasting room)
From the grapes of Volcano Ridge
Vineyard near The Dalles
For Information:
509-592-0756
alan@vinitas.net
Hiyu Wine Farm
(Fri - Sun, 11 am - 5
pm)
3890 Acree Drive
Hood River, OR
541-436-4680
Hood Crest Winery
(Wed - Sun, 11 am - 6 pm through
Thanksgiving;
Fri - Sun, 11 am - 6 pm through Christmas;
Closed Christmas to Valentine's weekend)
1908 Orchard Road
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-4841
Hood River Vineyards & Winery
(Daily - 11 am - 5 pm)
4693 Westwood Drive
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-3772
Idiot's Grace Wines / Memaloose
(Open Thurs - Mon, 11 am - 6 pm or by appt.)
8450 Hwy 30
Mosier, OR 97040
541-399-5259
Marchesi Vineyards
(Summer
- May 15 - Oct 31: Daily, 11 am - 6 pm;
Fall & Winter: Fri - Sun, 11 am - 6 pm;
Always by appt
- 541-386-1800)
3955 Belmont
Drive
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-1800
Mount Hood Winery
(Mar - Oct: Daily, 11 - 5 pm)
2882 Van Horn Drive
(4 miles south of Hood River)
Hood River, OR
541-386-8333
Mylan Wines
(Fri - Sun: 12 - 7 pm)
111 2nd Street, Suite
#300
Hood River, OR 97310
541-819-0687
Naked Winery
Hood River Tasting Room
(Sunday-Thursday Noon - 7 pm,
Friday/Saturday Noon - 9pm)
102 2nd Street
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-3700
Pheasant Valley Vineyard
& Winery
(Daily - 11:00 to 6:00 p.m.)
7890 Acree Drive
Hood River, Oregon
541-386-2803
866-357-WINE (9463)
Phelps Creek Vineyards
Tasting Room
(May to October: Thurs - Mon, 11 to 5 pm;
Mar, Apr & Nov: Fri - Sun, 11 to 5 pm;
Otherwise by appointment)
1850 Country Club Road
(at Hood River Golf Course)
Hood River, OR
541-386-2607
Phelps Creek Vineyards
& Winery
Tours & Tastings by reservation
Hood River, OR
541-386-2607
The Pines 1852
Hood River
Tasting Room & Gallery
(Mon - Wed, 12 - 5 pm; Thurs,
12 - 7 pm;
Fri, 12 - 10 pm [Live Music, 6 - 9];
Sat & Sun, 12 - 7 pm)
202 Cascade Avenue, Suite B
Hood River, OR 97031
541-993-8300
The Pines
Estate
Vineyards & Winery (The Dalles)
(Tour reservations required
three days in advance - 541-993-8301)
5450 Mill Creek Road
The Dalles, OR 97058-8502
541-993-8301
Quenett Cellars & Copa Di Vino
at Sunshine Mill
(Open 12 - 6 pm daily)
901 East 2nd Street
The Dalles, OR
541-298-8900
Springhouse Cellar
(Daily, Noon - 6 pm;
closed Mon, Nov - Mar)
1st & Cascade
13 Railroad Avenue
Hood River, OR 97031
541-308-0700
Stave & Stone Wine Estates
(Daily, 12 - 6 pm; Fri &
Sat until 8 pm)
210 Oak Street
Hood River, OR 97031
541-946-3750
Stella Fino
(Fri 2 - 6; Sat 12 - 6; Sun 12 - 5)
111 2nd Street, Ste 200
Hood River, OR
541-386-6150
Stoltz Vineyards
(Fri, 12 - 5 pm; Sat &
Sun, 11 am - 5 pm)
514 State Street
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-8732
Upsidedown Wine
(Thurs - Sun: 12 - 7 pm;
Mon: 10 am - 5 pm;
Tues - Wed: 1 - 6 pm)
311 Oak Street
Hood River, OR
541-436-3851
Viento Wines
(Daily Apr - Nov: 12 - 5 pm;
Dec - Mar: Sat & Sun, 12 - 5 pm)
301 Country Club Road
Hood River, OR
541-386-3026
Wy'East Vineyards
(Apr
– Oct, Daily 11-5;
Early Spring & Nov, Weekends 11-5)
3189 Hwy 35
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-1277
South of Hermiston
Echo Ridge Cellars
(Thurs & Fri, 2 - 6 pm; Sat, 12 -
6 pm)
551 N Thielson Street
Echo, OR 97826
541-376-8100
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Washington
Wineries
AniChe Cellars
Winery Tasting Room
(Wed – Sun, Noon to 6 pm)
71 Little Buck Creek Road
Underwood, WA 98651
360-624-6531
Ascendente Winery
(Fri, 3 - 8 pm; Sat & Sun, 12 - 6 pm)
85 NE Estes
White Salmon, WA 98672
509-281-3005
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery
(Daily 10 - 6)
8866 Highway 14
Wishram, WA 98673
509-767-1100
Cor Cellars
(Thurs - Sun, 11 am - 6 pm;
Or by appointment - 509-365-2744)
151 Old Hwy 8
Lyle, WA 98635
509-365-2744
Demi Anni Vineyards
(Call 509-493-2702 for info)
139 Cooke Road
White Salmon, WA 98672
509-493-2702
Domaine Pouillon
(Wed - Sun, 11 - 6 or by appt, 509-365-2795)
170 Lyle-Snowden Road
Lyle, WA 98635
509-365-2795
Gorge Crest Winery
(By appointment - 509-493-2026)
461 Kollock Knapp Road
Underwood, WA 98651
509-493-2026
Hawkins Cellars
(Thurs - Sun, Noon - 6 pm;
Open seasonally through Thanksgiving
weekend. Call ahead.)
10401 Cook Underwood Road
Underwood, WA 98651
503-554-9885
Illusion Winery
(Select Summer Weekends & Holidays
Call first - 206-261-1682)
31 Schilling Road
Lyle, WA 98635
206-261-1682
Jacob Williams Winery
(May - Oct: Daily
10 to 6 pm;
Nov - Apr: Thurs - Sun, 11 - 5)
3 Avery Road
(Avery Park off of Hwy 14)
Wishram, WA 98673
541-645 0462
Klickitat Canyon Winery /
Columbia Gorge Winery
(May - Nov: Sat & Sun, 11 am - 7 pm;
Otherwise by appointment -
509-365-2900)
6 Lyle-Snowden Road
Lyle, WA 98635
5 41-400-8147
Klickitat Canyon Winery
Stevenson Tasting Room
(Sat & Sun, 12 - 6 pm)
350 WA-14
Stevenson, WA 98648
509-310-9140
Major Creek Cellars
(Mar - Nov by appointment only - 503-860-8713)
306 Bates Road
White Salmon, WA 98672
503-860-8713
Marshal's Winery
(Open daily 10 am - 6 pm)
150 Oak Creek Road
Dallesport, WA 98617
509-767-4633
Maryhill Winery
(Daily 10-6)
9774 Highway 14
Goldendale, WA 98620
509-773-1976
1-877-MARYHILL (627-9445)
North Shore Winery
(Thurs - Mon: 11 am - 5 pm)
221 W Steuben Street (Hwy 14)
Bingen, WA 98605
509-493-3881
Syncline Winery
(Thurs - Sun - 11 to 6 pm;
Closed Dec 25 - Jan 1)
111 Balch Road
Lyle, WA 98635
509-365-4361
Tetrahedron
(11 am - 6 pm, Wed - Sun)
421 State Street (Hwy 14)
Lyle, WA 98635
509-774-8323
Waving Tree Vineyard & Winery
Off US 97, just north of the
Biggs Bridge, Maryhill, WA
(Apr - May: Fri - Sun, 9 - 5; Memorial Day
Weekend thru Labor Day: Daily 9 - 5;
Sept: Fri - Mon, 9 - 5 pm; or by appointment)
Tasting Room: 2 Maryhill
Highway
Winery: 123 Maryhill Highway
(North end of bridge from Biggs, OR)
Goldendale, WA 98620
509-773-6552
White Salmon Vineyard
Tasting Room
(Mon - Wed, 11 am - 5 pm; Sat
& Sun, 12 - 6 pm)
(Estate Wines & retail grape sales)
63281 State Hwy 14 (Lewis & Clark Hwy)
Underwood, WA
98651
509-493-4640
541-490-7664 (Cell)
Willow Wine Cellars
(By Appointment)
10481 Cook-Underwood Road
Underwood, WA 98651
541-400-8613
Wind
River Cellars
(Daily 10 - 6; Closed Dec 15 - Jan 1)
196 Spring Creek Road
Husum, WA 98623
509-493-2324
Ziegler Vineyards
(Mar - Nov:
Thurs - Sun, 12 - 6)
31 Memory Lane
Underwood, WA 98651
541-399-6044
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Columbia Gorge
Wine Shops and Wine Bars
The Gorge White House
(Columbia Gorge wine and beer tasting;
Apr & May: 10-6 pm Fri-Mon, by
appt Tu-Th;
June - Sept:
10-6 pm DAILY;
Oct:
10-6 pm Fri-Mon, by
appt Tu-Th)
2265 Highway 35
(4 miles south of Hood River)
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-2828
Gorge Wine Merchants
Wine Shop & Tasting Room
(Wed & Thurs: Noon to 8 pm
Fri& Sat: Noon to 9 pm
Sunday: Noon to 5 pm
Closed M-T)
218 W. Steuben (State Hwy 14)
Bingen, WA 98605
509-493-5333
The Gift House
(Northwest gifts and wines)
204 Oak St
Hood River, OR 97031
1-800-460-2946
Gorge Wine Merchants
Wine Shop & Tasting Room
(Wed & Thurs: Noon to 8 pm
Fri& Sat: Noon to 9 pm
Sunday: Noon to 5 pm
Closed M-T)
218 W. Steuben (State Hwy 14)
Bingen, WA 98605
509-493-5333
Healthy Habits
107 East 2nd Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
541-298-1906
Hood River Wine and
Internet Bar...
and Wine Shop
106 3rd Street
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-3239
The Wine Sellers
(and a lot more!)
514 State Street
Hood River, OR
541-386-4647
Featured
Columbia Gorge
Tour
Guides & Driving Services
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Bon Vivant Wine Tours
and Driving Services
(Serving the OR &
WA sides of the Columbia Gorge;
From
Seattle to Woodinville, Bainbridge Island,
Olympic Peninsula, Yakima
Valley,
Walla Walla
&
Columbia valleys; Red Mountain & Horse Heaven Hills;
Leavenworth/Wenatchee, Lake Chelan)
Seattle, WA 98199
206-524-8687
info@bonvivanttours.com
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Click here for an expanded list of other wine-touring
businesses serving the Columbia Gorge wine country.
Copyright © 2003 - September, 2020 Susan R. O'Hara. All rights reserved.
Last revised: 09/09/2020
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