A guest post by Alina Brown of murphygoodemovement.com

 

My recent road trip from Bellingham, Washington, to Healdsburg, California, included a three-day stop in Willamette Valley, popularly known as the heart of Oregon wine country.  With more than 200 tasting rooms and wineries, Willamette Valley resembles a younger, less sophisticated version of California’s Napa and Sonoma wine countries.  With an adolescent-like energy, Willamette Valley wines have buried their way into wine cellars around the world as the region gains notoriety for more than its Pinot Noirs.

This July, Willamette Valley Wineries will celebrate Oregon’s 150 years of statehood with a weekend of special events.  While a significant occasion for the state, the celebration also marks a kind of rite of passage for the 40-year-old wine region.  Over the last decade, the Willamette Valley has been suffering from teenage angst – growing, developing and searching for meaning.  And while the valley has a lot of maturing yet to do, its eagerness can be tasted in original and exciting new wines.  Now is the time to visit Willamette Valley; while the practiced refinement of adulthood is nice, we also know that out of teenage angst can blossom wonderful things.

Some great Willamette Valley stops on my road trip?

Dobbes Family Estate/Wine by Joe, Dundee, OR

These two labels run by the Dobbes family out of Dundee have excellent wines, a fantastic staff and a refreshing attitude towards business.  Wine club members often stop by the winery during lunchtime breaks and at the end of the workday just to hang out.  The more affordable Wine by Joe label is currently undergoing a re-haul that shouts “fun” and “fresh.”

Mystic Wine, Amity, OR

Richard Mafit, owner/grower/winemaker extraordinaire, has been working in the industry his entire adult life.  Richard learned the trade in the wine regions of California but moved to the Willamette Valley to start his own winemaking business.  He does everything from planting the grape seeds to selling his wines in a home-based tasting room.  Last year, Richard built an entirely new winery with the help of his son and a neighbor.

Ancient Cellars, Dundee, OR

Brothers Craig and Chris Baker founded Ancient Cellars in the fall of 2007.  While Craig manages the business from his Indianapolis home, Chris performs all aspects of the winemaking process out of Dundee.  This work is done in addition to his full-time job as assistant winemaker at 12thand Maple Wine Company.  Basically, Chris is at the winery non-stop, working up to 20-hour days at the height of the harvest.  Regardless, the brothers’ love of wine and winemaking shines through in their product.