Our favorite place to stay:
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Newberg sits where the Chehalem Mountains AVA meets Ribbon Ridge, about 30 minutes southwest of Portland and right in the middle of everything worth visiting in the valley. In 1971, David and Ginny Adelsheim planted the first vines here, kicking off what became one of the most important wine regions in the country.
The soils around Newberg are unusually diverse — marine sediment, volcanic basalt, and windblown loess all within a short drive of each other. That variety shows up in the wines. You can taste dramatically different expressions of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris without going far, which makes Newberg one of the better places to actually learn about Oregon wine rather than just drink it.
Newberg is base camp. Stay here, use it as your launching point, and work outward. Dundee is 10 minutes east, Yamhill-Carlton is 20 minutes west, Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge are right there. The whole valley is within reach.
The Allison Inn is one of the better wine country hotels in the Pacific Northwest if the budget allows. JORY restaurant inside is worth a reservation on its own. Beyond that, the downtown is walkable with good coffee, casual restaurants, and enough going on that you don't feel like you're just sleeping between tastings.
For a day trip from Portland, Newberg is the easiest call. Close enough to not feel like a commitment, central enough to hit multiple AVAs in a day.
