The colorful vines lining the hills of J. Wrigley vineyards combat the dark and rainy gloom that embodies Oregon in October. Perched atop one of the larger hills in the Willamette Valley, I have a birds-eye view of the surrounding vineyards and forests from the tasting room’s patio.
During the summer, the area would buzz with tourists and traffic, but today it’s silent. Harvest has come and gone, school is back in session, and the rainy fall weather deters most area oenophiles from venturing out for a day of wine tasting. I have this winery (and seemingly the entire AVA) to myself.
That’s one of the things I love most about Oregon; from Portland, you can drive less than three hours and be among rivers, forests, waterfalls, mountains, vineyards, or coastlines. This accessibility to numerous diverse experiences makes Oregon a weekend warrior’s wonderland.
If you’re looking for some direction, here are eight weekend getaways in Oregon that will make the most of your two days of freedom.