by: Erik Wolf

The Willamette Valley stretches about 120 miles (193 km) from south Portland to Eugene. It’s home to the University of Oregon in Eugene and Oregon State University in Corvallis, and is chock-full of scenic back country roads, historic towns and covered bridges. During spring and summer growing seasons, roadside stands dot the country lanes and farmers’ markets appear throughout the area.

This is Oregon’s most diverse agricultural region. Its fertile soil and ample rainfall produce nuts, all kinds of berries and tree fruits, hops for beer making, and, of course, wine grapes.

In 1965, David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards was the first to plant Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley, earning him the moniker Papa Pinot. Soon after, Dick and Nancy Ponzi started Ponzi Vineyards, followed by Dick Erath and his Erath Vineyards. Each of them took a chance on a notoriously difficult grape requiring strict growing conditions (warm days, cool nights; not too hot, not too cool; no rain during harvest).

Today the region is home to more than 200 wineries, many of which keep their tasting rooms open year-round. This fertile valley is famous for its Pinot Noir but it also produces superb examples of other varietals such as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris Riesling and Gewürztraminer, among others.

Beyond grapes, the valley has ideal growing conditions for Oregon black and white truffles, which often work their way into decadent dishes in the area’s finer restaurants. The Painted Lady in Newberg uses truffles and local morels, as do Dundee Bistro in Dundee, McMinnville’s Bistro Maison and Marche in Eugene. Oregon is also home to the Oregon Truffle Festival which takes place every January. When the season is at hand (December through February) you may want to bundle up and try your own luck at finding these pungent goodies.

Aside from wine and truffles, the Willamette Valley is ripe with hazelnuts. In fact, Oregon supplies the U.S. with 99% of its hazelnuts (also known as filberts). Oregon is ranked fourth in world hazelnut production, after Turkey, Italy and Spain. These buttery nuts show up in desserts, salads and main courses at restaurants all over the state and beyond.
A hidden gem worth visiting in this region is the Oregon Garden. Although relatively new, it’s worth a look, especially when spring daffodils are in bloom.