The Oregon Trail
- MNR Wines
- Oct 5, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 14
September 2025 saw us travel out to Portland, OR (by air, not on the wagon trail) for our very first experience being in Willamette Valley. This was a short 2-night trip just to get away from the hustle and bustle of Chicago.
For our accommodations we took advantage of travel points and enjoyed the Ritz-Carlton Portland, which was an easy drive over from the airport with onsite valet parking. The Ritz-Carlton is a clean, luxurious modern hotel, with a welcoming staff and keen attention to detail as we were welcomed to our room with a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir and local chocolates.
Dinner for our first night, and breakfast both mornings (thanks to American Express travel awards) were at the Bellpine on the top floor with spectacular views of Portland and the surrounding mountains. Coffee with the sunrise was especially memorable.
We had just 1 day to spend out in Willamette Valley, and while we had many recommendations from friends on what vineyards to visit, we landed on two that were on our short list based on previous tastings: Purple Hands and Domaine Drouhin.
Purple Hands was our first stop, and we opted for the tasting at the HAAKON/LENAI Vineyard Tasting Room for a more intimate and individualized experience. Owen was our host, and with our visit in the middle of harvest we were served quite literally by purple hands. We appreciated Owen's dedication as it was a week of long days and nights tending to the harvest.
The Wrights have built a beautiful, simple and relaxed tasting experience in the midst of the surrounding vineyards (and Ken Wright's home is just across the road - quite the connection to Oregon winemaking royalty). The wines presented for our tasting ranged across the Purple Hands and HAAKON/LENAI offerings, and inspired us to join both clubs!
Our second, and last tasting for our short visit was at Domaine Drouhin, which was on our list due to spending time at Joseph Drouhin in Beaune. While seated outside enjoying the beautiful fall Oregon afternoon were were treated to flyovers from the nearby air show.
We reserved The 1880 Connection tasting experience, which was the companion comparison tasting to our experience in Beaune. This gave us access to wines from both Oregon and Burgundy. We were treated to a special tasting of Burgundy not on the menu, along with some additional Oregon wines that, just like at Purple Hands, convinced us to become club members.
Our tastings had come to an end, so back to Portland with a Haakon/Lenai Pinot Noir to enjoy with takeout pizza from Mucca Pizzeria.
Our quick visit to Oregon came to an end, but now without some great dining and wine experiences, and 2 new wine clubs to add to our cellar.
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