If you are like most people who don't frequent Oregon, you probably did not realize that there are vineyards in the state. But there are ' exceptional ones ' and if you are anywhere in the area, you will want to add them to your to-do list. In addition to getting a great back-country view of what the state has to offer in the way of wine, you will be able to taste some great wines and tour some family-owned vineyards that will give you a great appreciation for smaller wineries.

Many of the wineries in Oregon are small, family-owned, and located in the northwest portion of the state. In total, the state has 395 wineries that cover 15,000 acres of land. The largest wine country region in the state is the Willamette Valley, which stretches from Portland to Eugene, running about 100 miles in all.

If you are visiting Portland, charter tours are available that will take you for day trips to visit the wineries. Options include seeing the most-frequented wineries or the higher-end premier ones, which may cost you extra, depending on the tour you settle on. You can also hook up with Grape Escape to take a guided tour through the scenic back roads and wineries with a chance to eat a gourmet meal and sample wines. These tours start from around $225 per person and will place you in a luxury van for an afternoon escape to remember.

If a limo is more your style, Sunshine Limo Services provides winery tours, as well as tours in a variety of other vehicles, such as a Lincoln Towncar, which starts at $165 and seats four passengers.

If you are near oldest wine producing area of Oregon, in the southern part of the state, you can take advantage of touring the Umpqua Valle Wine Tours with Oregon Wine Tours for as little as $55 per person. You get the opportunity to ride in comfort in their VinVan, as they call it, and have personal experience, taste wine, and dine on a gourmet lunch.

Visiting Idaho Wineries
The wineries of Idaho are at a higher elevation, up to 3,000 feet, than others you may have heard of or visited. There are wineries located just 45 minutes outside of Boise, with most of them located in the northern area of the state. In fact, Idaho offers 40 wineries, most of which are small, independent, and well worth visiting.

Unique to the Idaho wineries, the soil is mostly comprised of volcanic ash, which is part of what helps produce their award-winning Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, Johannisberg Rieslings and Pinot Noirs.

Although Idaho may be known largely for potatoes, one tour through the state's vineyards and you will quickly add grapes and fine wine to the list of things that the state does well. Before you go, be sure to do your homework, as the time of year may affect what tours are available.

Sidebar
Start your Oregon and Idaho wine country search here:

Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission
www.idahowines.org
Phone: (208) 455-8354

Idaho Winery Tours
www.idahowinerytours.com
Phone: (208) 890-6627

Premier Wine Tours
http://premierewinetours.com
Phone: (503) 244-4653

Willamette Tours
www.willamettetours.com
Phone: (877) 868-7295

Sunshine Limo Service
www.sunshinelimoservice.com
Phone: (541) 344-5466

Grape Escape
www.grapeescapetours.com
Phone: (503) 283-3380

Wines Northwest
www.winesnw.com
Phone: (360) 604-1205

Oregon Wine Country Tours
www.oregonwinecountrytours.com
Phone: (866) 946-3826

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