Toast Spring with Oregon Wine

Winemaker at Apolloni pouring at the North Willamette Vintners' Annual Wine Trail Weekend

For the first time, Oregon’s governor has declared May “Oregon Wine Month.” But fabulous wine events will be sprouting up throughout the spring in and around Portland, from late March on. Here are a few to check out:

The North Willamette Vintners’ annual Wine Trail Weekend (March 31-April 1), with events and sampling at 24 participating wineries, allows the rare opportunity to taste, blend and sample wine direct from the barrel with the winemakers. Food pairings and activities unique to this event are planned for the weekend.

The Chehalem Mountain Winery Association’s annual Mountains to Metro tasting in downtown Portland (April 19) is a special opportunity to taste and compare wines from one specific AVA in the Willamette Valley.

The Oregon Wine Board kicks off Oregon Wine Month with Unwine’d (April 29), a tasting celebration in Portland featuring 100 of the state’s wineries under one roof.

The Columbia Gorge Wine and Pear Fest returns to Hood River (May 19-20) after a successful inaugural year in 2011 to highlight the bounty of this rich agricultural region.

And of course Oregon Wine Month will close with Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-28) in the Willamette Valley, when more than 150 wineries open their doors to the public.

Cheers!