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Use these suggestions as multi-day or single-day shopping, sipping and supping inspirations. Our trail takes you the entire 150-mile length of Oregon's famed Willamette Valley. We have divided our trail into northern, central and southern sections for easier viewing. As always, we recommend you call ahead for hours of operation.
You'll find "Shop and Stay" details at the beginning of the route descriptions. "Wine and Dine" particulars are outlined further down the page. We have included spa suggestions for your luxuriating pleasure.
Let us hear from you as you make your way along the trail - treasure-hunting tales are booty to share.
[ - - South Valley]
Step out of the ordinary this holiday season as you bring your "suits to the boots" with shopping along any of Albany and Linn County's four Oregon Country Trails. Warm up with hand-knit sweaters and hats from Sylvan Skies Alpacas, escape to the country with a walk back in time to the Living Rock Museum and Gift Shop in Brownsville, where every item you see is made from rock, from sculptures to detailed paintings.
In the small town of Silverton, SHOP the Stone Buddha. With just a bit of imagination you will find yourself in the Far East amid exotic treasures such as screens and doors from China and Tibet, ornate antique cabinets, tea and tea ware from Korea and China, heavenly vintage kimonos from Japan. Carvings and Dragon Kites from Indonesia, baskets, buckets and bins. Henna, hangings and door curtains from the Turkoman Empire and authentic altar cloths. Fortunately for you, all this is closer than a 16 hour flight to Asia, and can be found here, in the green hills of the Willamette Valley.
Emma Downtown Albany, The owners of Emma Downtown understand that everyone wants to be able to give unique gifts, no matter how much they have to spend. So, they work hard all year to find and provide great, one-of-a-kind gifts for any budget. Even better, they stand ready to listen to your shopper-needs and help you match your problem giftee with the perfect present. Their upscale fashions for home and apparel suit the discriminating buyer to a "t."
Find holiday gifts at Danner and Soli, fine yarns at Teaselwick Wool and Pendleton wool blankets all located within the Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill. The Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill also has a unique collection of local history books and archival supplies.
If you like the sound of a rooster crowing at dawn, doves cooing outside your bedroom window, cozy rooms, a warm hearth and a hearty breakfast, then The Brownsville House is the place for you. Located in a 1921 Bungalow on the edge of Brownsville, this B&B can accommodate you or your small group.
Peggy's Alaskan Cabbage Patch B&B, an Alaskan themed B&B in Lebanon positions you for an afternoon of antiquing, wine country touring or mural-scouting.
Silverton Inn and Suites has been re-created with charm and elegance rarely seen in contemporary properties. Each room is created with individuality, defined with its own features to capture a specific aspect of Silverton's history. Have fun with the themes (do you feel more like the "Farmer" or the "Grist Mill" suite tonight?), and prepare to be thoroughly captivated by the little town of Silverton.
Phoenix Inn Albany Spa Suites caters to leisure travelers searching for a comfortable hotel at an affordable price. This all-suite hotel offers a complimentary full hot breakfast buffet, high speed wireless internet access, and fresh cookies served nightly.
Edelweiss Manor B&B is a quaint Four Square Farm House with a wrap around veranda with pillars. The setting provides a serene and peaceful ambience for anyone wishing to escape and relax. An on-site Day Spa completes your relaxation.
In downtown Salem, The Grand Hotel is within easy walking distance of unique shopping, the historic Elsinore Theater and Oregon State Capitol. Rates are inclusive of breakfast, and amenities include an indoor pool and a spa tub as well as in-room refrigerators, microwaves and premium cable channels.
A Touch of Class Vintage Day Spa rests on a beautiful, century estate acreage alongside Edelweiss Manor B&B. Visit the Tea Room and art classes, and then stroll the Victorian lawns and gardens with their gazebos, arches, fountains, and water falls. Escape the everyday world and receive the royal treatment.
Stay tuned for the much-anticipated Springbank Farms Blueberry Winery. For now, you can stop by the farm for U-pick or they pick during the blueberry season. Or stop by all year for frozen blueberries. But, soon, you can come by for delicious blueberry wine.
Visit Mama's Fine Italian Restaurant and Wine Shop in Lebanon. Wine tastings are often part of the Friday night fun at Mama's. They have an extensive wine store as well as a great Italian menu featuring gluten-free entrees.
Pudding River Wine Cellars Located in the heart of the east Willamette Valley, Pudding River Wine Cellars is a family operated vineyard and winery producing small-lot, boutique styled wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier, and Riesling.
Springhill Cellars is situated on the banks of the Willamette river, near Historic Albany‚ downtown shopping district. The vineyards and winery look west to the McDonald Forest, which forms the beginning of the Coast Range. The tasting room is open weekends from 1-5 p.m. from the first weekend in May through November, as well as by appointment.
Honeywood Established in 1934, Honeywood is the oldest producing winery in Oregon. One of the Honeywood's lines, "Dog Gone Wine," is especially popular among those with 4-legged friends. A portion of the profit from every bottle of Dog Gone Wine sold goes to support a local dog non-profit organization. The Honeywood tasting room offers a gourmet shop and free tastings, seven days a week.
Eat up the Albany Nosh Tour, a trolley led exploration of unique Albany restaurants. Get your calendar out to make note of Shedd Cafe Monthly Dinner Event. This family-style treat sometimes includes Dinner In the Orchard at nearby Horsecreek Farm, where the phrase "farm to table" really comes to life.
Silver Grille At this contemporary bistro, feel free to order wayward dishes such as the Naughty Librarian salad with poached pears and sherry vinaigrette, or the chicken breast Funghi with local chanterelles. For dessert, the house-made bread pudding with cinnamon and caramel bourbon sauce is not-to-be-missed.
Dinner with the Wine Makers at Marks Ridge Winery, a special time with Jay and Jan Westly, where you can explore the winery, sample some wines, and dine with a gorgeous view. By appointment.
Wild Pear restaurant This fun and artful restaurant in historic downtown Salem is always bustling with activity and the wonderful aromas of local food cooked up with flair.
Photographs courtesy of Albany Visitors Association & Ron Cooper.
Tour & Taste in Corvallis
Discover the deep beauty of the Alsea River as it cuts through a spectacular valley to the Pacific Ocean.
Soak in Natural Beauty in Salem
Visit acres of lush displays of gardens and wander through fields of berries in Salem.
AG-Venture Through Albany
Tour historic covered bridges, roadside garden shops, award-winning restaurants and Linn County's Oregon Country Trails.
Farm-to-Farm Pedaling in Yamhill
Discover Oregon Wine Country on two wheels, all while exploring some of Oregon's finest wineries and farms along the way.
Climb, Raft & Find Flowers on the McKenzie
Celebrate the McKenzie River's natural beauty with soothing walks through fields of lavender, lush gardens and hot springs, or jump into adventure with rafting or tree-climbing.
Travel the Canby Farm Loop
Chef-led dinners take you direct to farms at their peak. With 21 farm stops, no two tours are the same on this agricultural adventure loop.
Wine & Fire: Kindle the Ardor in Albany
There's nothing quite like a romantic dinner beside a roaring fire -- the subtle smell of smoke in the air, the crackle and pop, the warmth the fire brings on a cold winter evening.
Wine & Fire: Ignite Your Gustatory Senses in Corvallis
FireWorks Restaurant is the place for fantastic food and excellent live music.
Wine & Fire: Warm Up in Eugene, Cascades & Coast
Start tasting on the new Territorial Wine Trail at Pfeiffer Winery, where you’ll stay warm by the fire in the intimate candle-lit Tuscan cave.
Wine & Fire: Court & Spark in Mt. Hood Territory
The Carlberg family keeps the home fires burning at their Estate vineyard, Satori Springs.
Wine & Fire: Heat up the Season in Salem
Sit next to friends in posh booth seats beside a fire at Bentley’s Grill and order a fresh-baked pepperoni, soprasada and prosciutto topped-pizza with fontina and whole milk mozzarella.
Wine & Fire: Toasty Fireside Weekends in the Valley
At fireside weekends at Anne Amie Vineyards, Pinot reigns supreme with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc forming the heart of the vineyards production.
Click here for a comprehensive
archive of previous Oregon Wine Country feature articles.
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Fanciful
Fanciful
Fanciful
Fanciful
