Oregon Wine Country Delivers on Accessibility, Authenticity for Seasoned and New Wine Enthusiasts Alike

PORTLAND, Ore., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Memorial Day marks the start of the official touring season in Oregon Wine Country. Travelers to any one of the state's 16 winegrowing regions will find winery tasting rooms scattered along country roads, tucked into the foothills of mountains and situated high above vineyards with breathtaking views of the landscape below.

Inside the tasting room, visitors sip artisan wines and experience unparalleled access to winemakers – all without pretense. And when the tasting is done, there is an array of dining options to explore, from roadside fruit stands to high-end dining plus a host of lodging experiences ranging from small bed and breakfasts to a luxury inn and spa.

The Oregon Wine Board's website at www.oregonwine.org offers a wealth of content and tools to help consumers explore regions, plan travel and purchase wines to enjoy at home.

The Oregon Wine Explorer™ makes it easy to create an Oregon wine country itinerary. Select wineries, add in nearby lodging and restaurants and rearrange as needed. You'll receive turn-by-turn directions of the itinerary created, with an option to email to others in your group. And when you've returned home and wish you had purchased that single vineyard wine only found in the tasting room, use the Wine Finder Tool  to search for and order Oregon wines to enjoy at home.  Still hungry for more? Regional winery association websites for further exploration can be found here.

With nearly 400 wineries in 16 winegrowing regions, there are a multitude of itineraries for every type of traveler, including:

Culinary wonderland

Oregon winegrapes are often grown and made into wine next to produce farms and near local artisan food producers stirring chocolate and ageing cheese, making Oregon wine country a culinary tourism destination worth savoring.   Oregon's food-friendly wines are the perfect pairing to these distinctly Oregon food products. For more culinary travel ideas, visit Travel Oregon's new year-round Food & Drink website at www.traveloregon.com/bounty.

Liquid culture

Wineries co-exist with microbrewers, small-batch distillers and those obsessed with the perfect roast on a batch of coffee beans. The end result is an experience that connects what's in the glass, tumbler or mug to the people who crafted it and the place where it was made.

Eco-friendly wine country travel

Known for its green ethos, Oregon is cultivating a new definition of eco tourism – touring the state's sustainable, organic and biodynamic vineyards and wineries and drinking green, in addition to traveling sustainably and eating locally.

Surprising adventures within wine country

Wine country travel doesn't need to be stuffy.  Oregon is well known for outdoor adventures such as golf, cycling, kiteboarding and hiking, and visitors can incorporate their love for living on the wild side with stops at wineries along the way.  

SOURCE Oregon Wine Board