Great wine regions can be found across the world, but none quite like the Columbia River Gorge. Where else can you pair a delicate viognier or an earthy zinfandel with some of globe’s best windsurfing, hiking, river rafting, and biking? If your every weekend—even one spent tasting wines—needs action, head east, not south.
FRIDAY
Eat
Fill your picnic basket in Hood River with bread from Knead (102 Fifth St) and cheeses and snacks from South Bank Kitchen (404 Oak St; 541-386-9876). Our favorites? Emmi’s cave-aged gruyère and inspired sides such as beet salad dressed with mandarin oranges, fennel, and chevre.
Taste
You can’t taste this region’s wines without crossing the Columbia into Washington for Rhône-style pours at Syncline Winery. James and Poppie Mantone have one acre of vineyards on their property and 24 in eastern Washington’s Horse Heaven Hill and Columbia River Gorge AVAs; they produce 5,000 cases a year of mostly Rhône varietals, such as mourvèdre, roussanne, and viognier. Thur–Sun 11–6; 111 Balch Rd, Lyle; 509-365-4361; synclinewine.com
Do
Not far from Syncline, the moderate one-and-a-quarter-mile hike to the top of Catherine Creek brings you to a superlative picnic spot. (Keep an eye out for poison oak.) The views of the Gorge, Oregon’s lush northern edge, and Mound Hood’s majestic peak are jaw-dropping. www.fs.fed.us
Eat
Have dinner at Nora’s Table in Hood River. The eclectic, highly localized menu offers dozens of small plates as well as entrées (like Goan seafood curry with rockfish, prawns, scallops, and mussels) all dreamed up by Nathan Morgan, former chef of Portland’s popular Indian restaurant Vindalho. Tue–Sat; 110 Fifth St, Hood River; 541-387-4000; norastable.com
Check In
The stylishly updated Celilo Inn sits on a bluff above The Dalles with commanding views of one of the planet’s most dramatic meetings of man and nature: the Gorge and the gargantuan Dalles Dam. Ask about the Spirit of Adventure package, which includes a one-night stay and a white-water rafting trip down the Deschutes or White Salmon river. 3550 E Second St, The Dalles; 541-769-0001; celiloinn.com
Published: October 2010
No question – the 08 Blue Chip Pinot is first rate. But the Reserve – at $39 is to die for! More gr8 gorge wines from a local pro? Try Viento – behind the Gorge White House (see article) for winemaker Rich Cushman’s private label. Hint: the Syrah alone is worth the drive. And don’t miss Marchesi Vineyards on Belmont in Hood River. Quality across the board but the Primativo (Zin) and the Sangiovese (Chianti)
are as good as it gets. Finally for a unique take on a quality Pinot Noir – Phelps Creek reserve – with a distinct cigar box smokiness is a worthy addition to any serious collectors cellar. And don’t ignore the Washington side of the river. A cluster of 3 great wineries just above Lyle Wa – just 15 minutes from the Hood River Bridge, will leave you coming back again and again. Domain Poullion – with their wonderful bordeaux blends (Red Dot is top notch) Syncline and Cor Cellars are all worth serious consideration. For a unique and hard to find experience – make sure to try his Cab Franc – one of the original Bordeaux reds that is rarely produced as a single varietal. Stay in touch with the great wines of the gorge by visiting twitter.com/gr8gorgewines
I agree with you on Syncline! It’s amazing. We also love Marchesi. Love Nora’s and a hike a Catherine Creek is a great way to spend a morning. Enjoyed reading this.
Kacie
http://www.gorgeinthegorge.com/