If you’re like me and would love to travel to Europe but its not quite in the budget this year, perhaps set your eyes on Oregon and create your very own (delulu 😉) European trip by recreating my day Itinerary (and or even make it a whole weekend, because realistically there is so much to enjoy here that I couldn’t get to it all myself. Starting with your very own Day in Italy.
This new series is focusing on sharing all the incredible things that can be found in Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine region. And although we are the second best spot in the world for World class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it doesn’t mean that that is all we’re about. In fact, its what made me decide to create this series. As a local tour guide, if I had a penny for every time someone asking me, “is Oregon only known for Pinot and Chardonnay?” …. But really, we are known for so much more, and this is how you can explore it with some fun curated itineraries (made by yours truly) helping you see Oregon for more than just “what we’re known for.” I mean there’s a reason we were named as the number one wine region in the world to visit this year..
Oregon has several wineries that have Italian wines on the flights. Starting with one of my favorite places, https://rocowinery.com/. Here you can find a stunning curated flight of Italian wines that their lovely tasting room staff will take you through. They are also known for throwing some really fun summer events like their upcoming Ravioli Luncheon and the Italian dinner (find events here https://rocowinery.com/events/. But of course ROCO is more then just a winery known for serving Italian wines, here you can also taste some of the best sparkling wines from Oregon, including the #1 Wine of 2024- The 2013 RMS Brut 10-Year Delayed Disgorgement. These sparkling wines have so much gorgeous character, you’ll be wondering if you’re actually drinking FranciaCorta 🥂. So be sure to start here- because every fun adventure should start with bubbles!
The next place you’re going to want to check out is my lovely friends at https://www.lachinivineyards.com/. This stunning villa will make you feel like you’ve taken a wrong turn on Calkins lane and ended up in Tuscany (and what says Italy more than Tuscany?… If you’re not convinced see https://www.instagram.com/p/DCCMmNKv1cc/). Here you will want to stop in for their stunning views of Chehalem Mountains, wonderful hospitality, delicious pasta/pizzas luncheons (happening on the weekends) and of course some beautiful wines (be sure to go follow their page https://www.instagram.com/lachini_vineyards/ to be up to date on when they do luncheons or reach out to them in person to inquire). They always have lots of fun events happening and you can even book them out for private events, weddings and so much more. The place is just asking for you to come live your best Italian life, so put on your cutie Italian-inspired outfit, grab your silk scarf and start planning your “Italian day in Oregon.”
I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t share with you an amazing opportunity where you can go experience a tasty olive oil tasting right in the heart of the Willamette Valley. So before we continue on with our wine adventure, you will definitely need to take a little detour over to the delicious https://durantoregon.com/. Durant is the only Olioteca in the Pacific NorthWest, and home to 17 acres of olive trees, and a state of the art Italian mill. Here you can come and do a self guided tour (that is free) of all the oils they make on sight and have your very own oil tasting. But if you really want to do the experience right, be sure to go on a Sunday when Jim is there and ask for him to give you the 5 minute talk about the best way to taste and how to get the most out of your “self guided” olive oil tasting. They have many olive oils to chose from including including plain olive oils made out of Olives grown in Italy, Spain, Greece and Oregon. And of course my favorites are their fused olive oils perfect for summer salads, pastas, pizzas and so much more. You will love checking out their beautiful gift shop, and will definitely not be able to leave empty handed especially if you have culinary friends!
And the last (but definitely not the least) place you’ll want to visit on your Italian day is the gorgeous https://www.allorovineyard.com/. Here you will find one of those grand tasting rooms like something out of a romantic Italian movie. The owner and vineyard manager David has truly created a place that makes you feel like you’ve been invited into your Italian families home for all the best wine and food. They serve some incredibly delicious Italian inspired bites that can be found everyday including the daily offered Pranzo. In Italian, Pranzo denotes a mid-day meal, which is available as part of their daily food menu at the Alloro Tasting House. The rotating Pranzo is a heartier offering featuring a seasonal main dish and green salad beautifully paired with the estate wines. Or you can opt in for the monthly Cinque Cose di Notte. This five-course wine and food experience is a collaboration between Chef Denali and their in-house sommelier, Maureen, featuring delicious seasonal dishes paired with their most exclusive wines. The menu changes each month to reflect the seasonality of ingredients and flavors (pre-booking is required). We also loved chatting with David and learning all about the future of Alloro, including their farming practices, growing garden and especially learning about their Italian grapes grown on the property (bet you didn’t know the valley is harboring Nebbiolo and Arneis.) And if that’s something you’re interested in, be sure to inquire when you make a reservation about taking a vineyard tour with them. He truly loves people and even more- sharing everything he’s created here!
Of course, if you’re here from out of town and want to make it a weekend experience, you can check out some other great wineries like https://remywines.com/, where you can find some stunning old world Italian wines and support a truly awesome wine maker- Remy. Here you’ll find Sangiovese, Dolcetto, super Tuscans, and so much more so be sure to add them to your list. Another great spot not to be missed is https://canasfeast.com/ where you can find lots of tasty Italian varietals, and plenty of other tasty wines as well.
There are a couple of picturesque spots not to be missed to get the “whole Italian vibe” which includes the beautiful estate at https://www.domaineserene.com/ which you see in this picture, and of course Willamette Valley’s own “little Italy” vineyard site that can be found at this address 45.260359, -123.061183.
And if you’re in the mood to explore a bit more, you’ll want to take a fun drive just an hour east of Portland to my favorite little town of Hood River where you will find two really beautiful wineries that will give you all the Italian feels including the charming https://www.marchesivineyards.com/, bringing you truly beautiful old world Italian wines and my newest favorite little spot in that area that gave me the Italian feels was https://analemmawines.com/. They may not be known for Italian wines per say, but they sure do serve up some amazing Italian inspired bites, and have quite the gorgeous Italianesque views and after a day of pretending to be in Italy, it’ll be hard to tell that you’re not.
I truly hope that this is an itinerary that you will love, and share with your friends to recreate their own Italian Day in Oregon Wine country, and of course follow along as I create a German Day, French Day and many others to inspire you to live a fun and creative life while exploring my favorite place, Oregon Wine Country.
The Whole Wine Yards 