Sip Summer Wines in Newest Tasting Rooms

Washington County now boasts 25 wineries—including the world’s only American-owned and operated saké brewery—and has long been an undiscovered gem in Oregon’s wine country. Located in the northern region of the famed Willamette Valley, the area’s wineries have long set themselves apart from the better-known wine regions in the state by offering an intimate and welcoming experience.

Just in time for summer, three wineries opened new tasting rooms for the public. Two wineries are newcomers, while the other has had a loyal following, but not a public tasting room. 

Alloro Vineyard  
22075 SW Lebeau Road, Sherwood, Oregon; (503) 813-0063; www.allorovineyard.com

Alloro Vineyard is located in the Chehalem Mountain area of the northern Willamette Valley, and has been producing high-quality wines, including pinot noir, since 1999. Although the winery has been producing wine for more than a decade, Alloro finally opened a public tasting room on June 1, which will expose their hand-crafted, artisan wines to a new generation of wine drinkers.

Regular tasting room hours are Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ardiri Winery and Vineyards

35040 SW Unger Rd., Cornelius, Oregon; 503-628-6060; www.ardiriwine.com

Ardiri started with an established vineyard in Carneros, Napa Valley, California, before it made its way to Oregon in 2008. After purchasing the existing winery and vineyards of the now-defunct Gypsy Dancer Estates, owners John Compagno and Gail Lizak set up shop here in Washington County, Oregon, and have started to produce Oregon Pinot Noir and an Oregon white wine, both of which complement to the label’s Napa Valley Carneros Pinot Noir.

Regular tasting room hours are Friday-Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A Blooming Hill Vineyard & Winery  (Opened 2009)

5195 SW Hergert Rd., Cornelius, Oregon; (503) 992-1196; www.abloominghillvineyard.com

A Blooming Hill Vineyard & Winery opened in early 2009, and its tasting room was only open during special events. Now, this small-production winery offers regular tasting room hours, where guests can swirl, sniff and sip the label’s latest estate-grown Pinot Noir or its special reserve white blend.

Regular tasting room hours are Saturday and Sunday, from 12-5 p.m.

You can check out these, as well as the area’s other wineries by visiting our Wineries & Breweries section. Come sip for yourself why Washington County is the gateway to Oregon’s wine country.