The view from the tasting room of nearby Memaloose winery must be seen to be believed bring a picnic and enjoy the breathtaking panorama of vineyards, mountains, river and sky, while sipping the Estate Cabernet Franc.Д¬ontinue a few miles east to Maryhill Winery. Leaving downtown Hood River, cross over the bridge to Washington, and continue your tasting at Syncline Wine Cellars, where wines made from RhГґne varieties are the passion, notably Syrah, MourvГЁdre and some inspired blends. A short drive away are Phelps Creek Vineyards and WyвЂ™East Vineyards, arguably the regionвЂ™s best Pinot producers. DonвЂ™t miss The Pines 1852 Vineyard & Winery, which produces wines using grapes sourced from a century-old vineyard. Several tasting rooms are right downtown. WHERE TO TASTE: A pleasant hourвЂ™s drive east from Portland, Oregon, brings you to the town of Hood River, the regional hub for food, wine and recreation. The Gorge is an unbeatable place to combine wine touring with windsurfing, kite boarding, snow skiing, white-water rafting, salmon fishing, mountain biking and more. Fans of history and a slower pace will love the region: More than 30 wineries and vineyards, most quite small, recall charming, rustic wine touring as it was in the past. It includes vineyards and wineries on both the Oregon and Washington sides. The Columbia Gorge AVA lies within the boundaries of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, along a 15-mile stretch of the Columbia River.

It turns out that the Washington Wine CommissionвЂ™s claim, вЂњThe Perfect Climate For WineвЂќ is also the perfect climate for wine touring. July and August are hot, though Chelan and the Gorge have a large lake and river to cool things off. The weather in eastern Washington is at its best in the spring, early summer and fall. Tasting rooms in the region have a reputation for welcoming visitors, and most provide a casual, relaxing ambiance. Tasting room fees are a fraction of what you would pay in Napa, and usually are applied to your first purchase. In all four locations visitors will find tasting rooms staffed with owners, winemakers, or extremely knowledgeable staff. The tiny American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) of Lake Chelan and Columbia Gorge have far fewer wineries, but outstanding recreational opportunities, as well as breathtaking scenery. In both locations you will find scores of small, family-owned wineries, as well as a handful of larger facilities, along with excellent dining and lodging options. The two largest regions (in terms of wineries)-Woodinville and Walla Walla-neatly bookend the state. From the hub of Seattle, none of the four touring regions profiled here is more than a four-hour drive. WashingtonвЂ™s 700-plus wineries offer the diversity of California within a more constrained geographic region.

The ongoing expansion of wineries, tasting rooms and related amenities throughout Washington State has dramatically upgraded the stateвЂ™s appeal for adventurous wine tourists.

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