The Willamette Valley & Wine Country - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 484

Champoeg. There are also exhibits on the Calapooians and the flood patterns of the Wil-
lamette River. On summer weekends, various walks, tours and programs are offered.
The Pioneer Mothers Memorial Cabin ( 503-678-5537; www.newellhouse.com/
PMMC.html ; 8089 Champoeg Rd NE; adult/child $4/2; 1-5pm Fri-Sun Mar-Oct) is a recon-
structed log cabin built by the local Daughters of the American Revolution. It's filled
with objects brought across the Oregon Trail and other articles of frontier life. The 1852
Robert Newell House ( 503-678-5537; www.newellhouse.com ; 8089 Champoeg Rd NE; adult/
child $4/2; 1-5pm Fri-Sun Mar-Oct) houses Native American artifacts and inaugural
gowns worn by the wives of Oregon governors, among other things.
Be sure to reserve in summer for the pleasant sites, yurts and cabins at the Champoeg
Campground (

800-452-5687; tent sites/RV sites/yurts/cabins $19/24/36/39) .

OREGON'S WINE BOUNTY

Oregon's first wineries started up in the 1850s, but it wasn't until the late 1960s
and early 1970s that the region's modern winemaking potential started to bear
fruit. The northern Willamette Valley's mild climate and long summers foster the
delicate pinot noir grape, and pinot gris, chardonnay and riesling as well.
Most vineyards are family owned and welcome visitors to their tasting rooms,
which range from grand edifices to homey affairs tucked into the corner of fer-
mentation rooms. Before heading out, you may want to check wineries' tasting-
room hours and tasting fees (usually $5 to $10). Get a winery map at McMinnville's
Chamber of Commerce ( Click here ; or see www.willamettewines.com ), which will
help you get a feel for the region's more than 400 wineries. And remember to pack
a lunch; wineries usually can't offer food, but sometimes have picnic grounds.
You don't have to visit wineries to sip the region's wines, however. Some of the
bigger wineries' tasting rooms have been popping up in many of the area's down-
towns. And there are always the region's fine restaurants, with their excellent wine
lists.

A Few Wineries
Argyle Winery ( 888-427-4953; www.argylewinery.com ; 691 Hwy 99W, Dundee) Im-
pressive sparkling wines.
Chehalem ( 503-538-4700; www.chehalemwines.com ; 106 S Center St, Newberg) Private
tastings at the winery; public tastings at its Newberg tasting room.
Domaine Drouhin ( 503-864-2700; www.domainedrouhin.com ; 6750 Breymen Orchards
Rd, Dayton) For grand atmosphere and panoramic views.