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The Willamette Valley, Oregon
Oregon’s Willamette Valley is an exciting cultural hub and the star of the state’s picturesque wine country. Here, acclaimed Willamette Valley chef Carlo Lamagna recommends places to eat, stay and explore.
Since Chef Carlo Lamagna opened Magna Kusina in Portland in 2019, it has become one of the Willamette Valley’s major culinary destinations. The restaurant’s innovative approach to Filipino cuisine has won Lamagna a Food & Wine Best New Chef Award. Here, the chef shares places that inspire his award-winning dishes in hopes that you’ll be inspired to check out all that the Valley has to offer.
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WHERE TO EAT
Magna Kusina
2525 Southeast Clinton St., PortlandChef Carlo Lamagna—who guides you through some of his favorite Willamette Valley winery experiences in the video above—serves up imaginative takes on the Filipino dishes he grew up eating. Enjoy Filipino street food classics, sizzling pork sisig, vegetarian pancit bihon and a uniquely Filipino take on beef stew.
The Painted Lady
201 S. College St., NewbergThe Painted Lady combines an exciting menu with a stunning setting. This French-inspired restaurant occupies a beautiful old Victorian home, complete with white picket fence. The seasonal tasting menu offers an inventive and mouth-watering tour through the foods of the Pacific Northwest. (Take, for example, the miso custard with Dungeness crab or the locally made raw milk cheese with cherry compote.) The Painted Lady’s global wine collection prominently features several local gems that pair perfectly with the food.
Sybaris Bistro
442 W. First Ave., AlbanyHelmed by James Beard finalist Matt Bennett, Sybaris is an eclectic bistro where even the ketchup is made from scratch in-house. Enjoy an ever-changing menu and extensive wine list in a hip, industrial atmosphere.
Jory
2525 Allison Ln., NewbergThe Allison Inn & Spa’s signature restaurant, Jory offers a farm-to-table dining experience with customized wine pairings in a picturesque environment.
WHERE TO STAY
Atticus Hotel
375 NE Ford St., McMinnvilleSet in historic downtown McMinnville, Atticus Hotel is perfect for travelers who enjoy chic accommodations steeped in charming small-city vibes. Amenities include hand-built fireplaces, dual-temperature wine fridges, and a hidden drawing room off the lobby for a more-private wine and dining experience. Atticus puts you a short walk from Joe Dancer Park, a quick drive from Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum and, of course, smack in the middle of Oregon wine country.
The Setting Inn
20300 NE Highway 240, NewbergThe Setting Inn’s eight unique rooms offer stunning views of Oregon’s wine country. Its décor and amenities create an atmosphere of luxury without being stuffy. The location is ideal for a wine tour, minutes away from popular destinations in Newberg, Carlton, Dayton and Dundee.
The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel
52 SW Morrison, PortlandSet in downtown Portland, the Nines is for wine-country travelers who want to balance the rural with the urban. Venture out to a Willamette Valley vineyard during the day and return in the evening to enjoy Asian fusion cuisine on a rooftop deck overlooking the city.
WHERE TO EXPLORE
Visit the Vineyards
Chances are, you’re heading to the Willamette Valley to experience Oregon’s wine country. You can book a winery tour package or design your own itinerary. Here are three Willamette Valley gems Lamagna recommends:
Soter Vineyards
10880 NE Mineral Springs Rd., CarltonSituated on a full biodynamic farm, Soter Vineyards offers a range of tasting options. Consider the Provisions Tasting: a guided culinary experience pairing wines with fresh farm-to-table dishes.
Sokol Blosser
5000 NE Sokol Blosser Ln., DaytonSokol Blosser’s standard tasting is a four-wine 75-minute experience that welcomes children and even well-behaved dogs. The Farm & Forage tasting features culinary dishes combining farm-fresh meat and produce with foraged mushrooms and wild greens.
Rex Hill
30835 N. Hwy 99W, NewbergRex Hill offers a 90-minute seated tasting of award-winning small-batch pinot noir and chardonnay wines from its Willamette Valley vineyard.
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Brasada Ranch Equestrian Center
16896 SW Brasada Ranch Rd., Bend/Powell ButteSaddle up and explore more than 1,800 acres of the Oregon high desert. Just on the other side of the Cascades from Willamette Valley, Brasada Ranch adds variety to a wine-country vacation. Trail rides are led by expert guides and can accommodate riders of all abilities, ages 8 and up.
Vista Balloon Adventures
1050 Commerce Pkwy., NewbergIf you’re looking for the ultimate view of the valley, it would be hard to top a ride in a hot-air balloon. Hour-long flights with Vista Balloon Adventures’ FAA-licensed pilots launch from Newberg shortly after sunrise.
Click here to explore more destinations through the eyes of an in-the-know local.
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