The Hood River in Oregon is one of the most beautiful locations in all the US. The stunning gorges, mountains, and incredible terrain were in large part responsible for the movement west in the 1830s and 1840s long before the discovery of gold in California. Located along the border between Washington and Oregon, this area is dominated by two geographic features, Mount Hood and the Columbia Gorge which is the setting for some of the most exciting wine making in all the US.

 

 

Despite the obvious geographic advantages, it was not until 2004 that vineyards and wineries began to be established on either side of the Columbia Gorge. The area itself is breathtaking, featuring plenty of outdoor activities and all within 45 minutes of Portland, Oregon.

 

Wine Country Environment


Of the many reasons why this area has become one of the hottest locations for establishing new wineries is the presence of the mountains in the region. The mountains create two different climates as the west side is dominated by rain while the east is arid and near-desert conditions all within a few minutes of each other. This strong difference located so closely to each other is why winemakers are growing vineyards on both sides.

 

 

For example, the Gruner Veltliner grape, which emanates from Austria, thrives in the cool, wet environment to the west of the mountains. You will find many wineries that have an old European theme of low alcohol content with great balance along this side of the gorge where the rains fall up to 50” annually.

 

However, just a few miles away are dryer, arid lands that are perfect for other types of grapes that grow well without a lot of moisture. This variety of climate conditions so close each other combined with the many other attractions the area has to offer is why the wine scene along the Hood River and especially in the Columbia Gorge has become so hot in recent years.

 

Hood River


The Hood River offers more than just wineries and wine tasting. In fact, the area has become a hot spot thanks to the historic venue combined with an active nightlife and plenty of things to do. For those who are taking a wine tour of the area, there are many hotels and cabins that you can stay to help make your trip even more memorable.

 

 

For those who want to go on a wine tour, Highway 35 out of Hood River will take you past many of the most prominent in the region. From Mt. Hood Winery to Wy’East Vineyards, you can sample some of the best wines in the area amid the spectacular mountainous countryside.

 

Outdoor activities include sightseeing, hiking, horseback riding, and even windsurfing. The strong winds that come off the Pacific travel down the gorge which makes it perfect to challenge your skills while windsurfing along the waves. There are many places to eat and plenty of wine tasting to engage in thanks to the many new wineries that have opened in the past decade.

 

By: Stephanie Cara

Contact:media@kazzit.com

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