Glossy magazines typically depict oenophiles dressed in sport jackets and sundresses prancing through light-flooded vineyards. Lose the suit coats and you’ve got a picture of summer in the Willamette Valley, named Wine Enthusiast’s 2016 wine region of the year. But if you ask a winemaker, they might surprise you by suggesting a cooler-months visit. After they finish off fall harvest by plucking the last grapes from the vines, vintners kick off their muddy boots and pop open a prized bottle to celebrate a job well done. The slower pace means you can savor the whole wine-touring experience a little longer — linger in family-owned tasting rooms, chat up a relaxed winemaker and sneak a few extra sips.
Plan your own tasting tour and discover more “Cool Season Adventures” on TravelOregon.com.