Wineries

Territorial Vineyards & Wine Company

Right in town, you can visit the Territorial Vineyards & Wine Company winery (907 W. 3rd Ave., 541/684-9463, www.territorialvineyards.com [1], 5–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat.) to taste pinot noir, pinot gris, and Riesling.

King Estate Winery

The lavish King Estate Winery (80854 Territorial Rd., 541/942-9874 or 800/884-4441, www.kingestate.com [2], noon–5 p.m. daily) is set on 820 acres with a state-of-the-art winery resembling a European château. Production focuses on organically grown pinot gris and pinot noir. In addition to wine, you can also sit down to a meal at the restaurant (541/685-5189, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, dinner $22–32, reservations recommended).

To reach the winery from Eugene [3], take I-5 South to Exit 182 (Creswell), turn west on Oregon Avenue (which becomes Camas Swale Rd. and then Ham Rd.) to Territorial Highway. Turn left onto Territorial Highway and follow it about 2.5 miles to King Estate.

LaVelle Vineyards

LaVelle Vineyards (89697 Sheffler Rd., Elmira, 541/935-9406, www.lavellevineyards.com [4], noon–5 p.m. daily) makes a wonderful stop on the way out to the coast with a location just off Route 126 near Elmira. In addition to secluded tables with umbrellas at which to enjoy LaVelle’s pinots and Rieslings with your picnic lunch, the works of local artists are on display in the winery itself.

A trail to a hillside on the grounds lets you view the snowcapped Three Sisters on a clear day. The winery is also represented by a wine bar in the Fifth Street Market.

Silvan Ridge/Hinman Vineyards

Silvan Ridge/Hinman Vineyards (27012 Briggs Hill Rd., 541/345-1945, www.silvanridge.com [5], noon–5 p.m. daily), 15 miles southwest of downtown near Crow, is a perfect place to spend a summer afternoon. Drive west on 11th Avenue, turn left on Bertelson Road, then right on Spencer Creek Road. A left down Briggs Hill Road takes you to the tasting room, located on a hillside overlooking a valley.

The ride out is a favorite of local bicyclists, many of whom typically continue on into the Coast Range via Vaughan Road (ask for directions at the winery for the Crow Valley Store that sits opposite Vaughan Road). While at the vineyard, ask to sample Hinman’s award-winning Gewürztraminer; the pinot gris is also delightful.