Willamette Valley Named Wine Region of the Year

Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory is honored to be part of Willamette Valley (Oregon Wine Country), which was named Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The announcement was made November 2016, and the award was officially presented in January 2017. Other 2016 Wine Region nominees include Provence, France; Champagne, France; Crete, Greece; and Sonoma County, California. The Willamette Valley is recognized as one of the premier Pinot noir producing areas in the world. Other cool-climate varieties such as Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewürztraminer are equally at home here.

Our Table Cooperative Introduces Farm Brunch + Happy Hour

This past December, Our Table Cooperative, a regional co-op with a farm and on-farm grocery store 30 minutes south of Portland, announced two new ongoing events, including Happy Hour Fridays and Farm Brunch, scheduled for the second Sunday of each month. Each is made possible by their in-house chef. Our Table is a perfect stop on your way to wine country. Eat lunch there or grab one of their picnic boxes and eat at one of the wineries.

Oregon City's First Distillery Arrives

Trail Distilling opened in late October and is the first distillery in the First City west of the Mississippi River (Oregon City) since Prohibition. Their products are all hand crafted, beginning with clear Cascadian glacial water and naturally-harvested grains. First City Vodka is triple filtered for a smooth, even finish. Trillium Gin contains fourteen botanicals. Celebrate the juniper, beautifully fragrant florals, vibrant citrus flavors and slight peppery back notes. They recently won two silver medals at the American Distilling Institutes Judging for First City Vodka and Trillium Gin. They release their rum May 19 and they also plan on producing whiskey in the future.

A New Concept in Craft Breweries Comes to Oregon City

Feckin Brewing, based in Oregon City, launched a new concept in beer collaboration this past December. They are now joined by Shattered Oak Brewery and Batch One Brewery (crafting meads and ciders) at their current brewery and tasting room. Together, they are Oregon City United Brewers. They celebrated their new partnership at their shared tasting room on December 17.

First City Central Marketplace & Bistro at Oregon City Amtrak Station

January 2017 welcomed First City Central, a bicycle-themed noshery and gathering place at the Amtrak Train Depot just minutes from Willamette Falls, the 2nd largest waterfall by volume in the U.S. after Niagara. Cycling enthusiasts can now load their bikes onto Amtrak trains from as far north as Vancouver, BC, and as far south as Eugene, and then step out onto the platform at Oregon City. The bike bistro features craft brews, gourmet coffees, fresh local food, brewers' dinners and more.

Pedal and Paddle with The Bike Concierge and eNRG Kayaking

The Bike Concierge has partnered with eNRG Kayaking to bring visitors the best of cycling and paddling in one excursion. Paddle from Oregon City, down the Willamette to Milwaukie where The Bike Concierge will meet you at the dock with a bike to peddle back along the Trolley Trail to Oregon City. All the adventure and fun both kayaking and biking, and it only takes half a day. The Bike Concierge also offers other day bike tours, including winery, beer and farm loop fully supported rides.

About Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory

Welcome to Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory, south of Seattle and north of San Francisco, where each day begs to make a dent in your bucket list. The fun starts at the top of Mt. Hood – join Olympic hopefuls at Timberline Lodge & Ski Area for the longest ski season in North America, and shred powder by moonlight at Mt. Hood Skibowl with the largest night ski area in the country. Mt. Hood Territory's forested wilderness, glassy alpine lakes, rushing rivers and breathtaking vistas set the stage for almost any type of outdoor adventure you can imagine. Follow the Oregon Trail, the route that led emigrants to the American West, down the mountain to Philip Foster Farm to experience daily life in Oregon during the mid-1800s. Continue to Oregon City, the end of the Oregon Trail, to reflect on the power of Willamette Falls, the second largest waterfall by volume in the U.S. after Niagara. Many Oregon Trail pioneers were drawn beyond Oregon City to our valley's favorable farming conditions and pastoral countryside. Visit their descendants – passionate vintners and winemakers, sustainable farmers, craft brewers and all-star chefs – who bring their farms to your fork for an authentic slice of Americana. And no trip is complete without tax-free shopping at Clackamas Town Center, one of Oregon's largest malls, or visit any of our communities' local boutiques for one-of-a-kind finds. Whether you're looking forward to staying in a luxury hotel or relaxing in a vacation rental, you'll find your perfect lodging option in Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory.