Wine Tasting Around the Columbia River Gorge
Sip local in Hood River
The Columbia River Gorge is an ideal grape-growing region, with a variety of climates to produce excellent wine grapes. Pair handcrafted wines with stunning views in the Gorge, with Hood River as the ultimate home base.
Hood River sits within easy access to many vineyards and wineries just outside of its downtown core. Plus, there are six wine tasting rooms downtown as well, all within walking distance. Spend the day wine tasting in the Columbia River Gorge or make it a weekend trip, with plenty of options for where to sip, eat, and stay along the way.
Start with Breakfast
Kick off a day of wine tasting with a hearty breakfast. Just steps from the lobby of the historic Hood River Hotel, Broder Ost serves up Scandinavian comfort food in a charming café with favorite menu items such as the Lost Eggs, baked with spinach and cream, along with Aebleskiver, which are little round, fluffy Danish pancakes paired with lemon curd and lingonberry jam. For a classic diner-style breakfast with generous portions, head to Bette’s Place. Prefer something on the go? Pick up a latte and a pastry from Édeske Patisserie or visit River Daze Café for their ever-popular homemade sourdough English muffin breakfast sandwiches.
Go Wine Tasting
The Columbia Gorge is known for its variety of wines, ranging from prized Oregon Pinot Noir to Chardonnay and Grenache. Just minutes from downtown Hood River, sip Syrah on the patio with a view of alpacas at Wy’East Vineyards or enjoy a glass on the deck with a towering view of Mt. Hood at Mt. Hood Winery. Phelps Creek pours everything from Pinot Noir Blanc to Riesling from its barn-style tasting room, with daily lunch offerings and jazz on Thursday evenings.
To the East in Mosier, bring a picnic to pair with your wine tasting amongst the orchards and vines at Idiot’s Grace, or plan to enjoy an immersive field tasting through biodynamic vineyards at Analemma Wines. Just across the bridge on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, Syncline Winery welcomes you to enjoy a tasting in the garden or tour the cellar, while Cor Cellars offers a taste of lively Gorge wines from their impeccably designed tasting room or in the canvas tasting tents up on the hill.
Enjoy a Locally Sourced Meal
With quick access to the Hood River Fruit Loop, an agricultural hub, there’s no shortage of farm-fresh meals to enjoy in the area. For waterfront dining, visit Riverside to enjoy a cocktail and homemade pasta along the Columbia River. You’ll also find an extensive bottle list focused on Columbia Gorge-sourced wines here. For a more casual setting, Kickstand puts a global twist on dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Downtown, head to Love and Hominy for a vibrant meal composed of tacos, chips, and green chile queso, and a refreshing frosé. When you’re ready for dessert in the summer months, enjoy an ice cream cone on the lawn at Mike’s or try one of the rotating flavors made with local fruit at Romeo Gelato on the Hood River waterfront.
Where to Stay
If you’re planning to stay in the area for a few days of wine tasting, choose from a variety of lodging options. The Hood River Inn sits right on the Columbia, with patio and balcony views and a riverside pool and hot tub. Downtown, immerse in history at the early 1900s Hood River Hotel or choose a condo-style option at Horsefeathers. For sweeping views of the valley and Mt. Hood, Sakura Ridge, set on a working pear orchard, is a tranquil escape.
Outdoor Highlights
Looking for more views on your trip? The paved, car-free Twin Tunnels Trail meanders along the old Columbia River Highway, allowing you to marvel at preserved history. Drive up to Panorama Point for incredible Hood River Valley and Mt. Hood Views, or take a stroll or sit in the sand at Waterfront Park in Hood River.