Fall is a lovely time to escape the city for a visit to wine country. But these days the Willamette Valley and vineyards around Portland offer excellent food alongside world-class pinot noir. Portland Monthly’s editor in chief Brooke Jackson-Glidden recently shared some of her favorite spots with the City Cast Portland podcast:
🍷 Restaurants in the Willamette Valley
You can eat really well in wine country, and there are a bunch of options:
Mac Market (McMinnville)
The food hall has been a great place to find excellent food with a variety of options, including Alea Bakery and Honey Pie Pizza.
Grounded Table and The Pub (McMinnville)
These are two restaurants from the former chef of the now-shuttered Irving Street Kitchen (which was in the Pearl District). There are fancy pastas, but also a delicious homemade oreo, made with lard (like the commercial cookies used to be) and served with milk.
The Pub is the more casual option with smoked meats and fried-chicken sandwiches.
Allison Inn (Newberg)
It’s a hotel, so you might not expect fantastic dining. But think again. The chef, Jack Strong, has specialized in Indigenous food. The tasting menu reflects a “deeper understanding of local food,” says Jackson-Glidden.
🍇 Wineries With Fancy but Excellent Food
A lot of former Portland chefs are now out in wine country. (Tip: Reserve in advance.)
Soter / Mineral Spring Ranch (Carlton)
Vegetables, butter, and honey are all from the farm; Jackson-Glidden’s take: “It sounds a little like chef-y pretentious, but it's really delicious and the food isn't too tweezer-y.”
Antica Terra (Amity)
The vineyard has high-quality, high-priced wines. The previously under-the-radar chef just won a James Beard. The food is prepared for wine pairings. “It’s not fussy,” says Jackson-Glidden, but it is tasty.
🥖 Casual Spots
These are also some excellent cheap(er) eats:
No Clos Radio (Forest Grove)
It’s a summer spot with a simple and delicious menu. (Tip: Definitely get the layer cake that they call “wedding cake.”)
Alchemist's Jam (McMinnville)
It has some exotic flavors of jams and has some good breakfast options.
Dos Mundos (Newberg)
The Mexican American spot has good tacos.
White Salmon Baking (White Salmon)
They make good sandwiches if you stop in for lunch; they close early. You’ll find the bread elsewhere, so maybe get a loaf yourself too.
