Columbia River Gorge Wine Region - Oregon and Washington

Columbia River Gorge Wine Country Lodging and Dining Suggestions link

Tour guides and driving services for the Columbia Gorge wine country

Washington Wine Shops and Tasting Rooms





 

 

 

 

 







 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Columbia River Gorge Wine Country Lodging and Dining Suggestions link

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

A vineyard view of the Columbia River Gorge

        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.

       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.


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!   


Navigating the Columbia Gorge wine region

     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.

Columbia River Gorge Wine Country Lodging and Dining Suggestions link              Tour guides and driving services for the Columbia Gorge wine country


Priority Wine PassTIP:  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)

Wine Shops and Wine Bars

Tour Guides and Driving Services

   Small map to winery locations in the Columbia River Gorge
    Click on map to see larger view of  the Oregon and Washington
     Columbia Gorge wine regions.
 



Alpha List of Wineries in Columbia Gorge Wine Country
 


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

 

Find addresses & telephone numbers in
our alphabetical Oregon Wineries
directory.

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



 

Find addresses & telephone numbers in
our alphabetical Washington Wineries directory.

 


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



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
 


Click here for an expanded list of other wine-touring
businesses serving the Columbia Gorge wine country.


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Copyright © 2003 - September, 2020    Susan R. O'Hara. All rights reserved. 
Last revised:  09/09/2020