Oregon Odysseys: day trips from Portland spotlight waterfalls, wineries, and stunning Pacific panoramas

Travel America, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Dave G. Houser

For an overview of the Willamette Valley wine scene, continue on to the Oregon Wine Tasting Room, nine miles south of McMinnville on Highway 18 at Bellevue, where the wines of nearly all local wineries are available for tasting and purchase. On the way, drop by Piontek's Bakery and Cafe in McMinnville and load up a picnic lunch (pasta salads, sandwich fixings, and fresh-made breads are their specialty) to enjoy on the grounds of the tasting room or at your favorite winery.

Contact: Oregon Tourism Commission. (800) 547-7842; www.traveloregon.com.