People try to comfort the afflicted when disaster strikes.“Everything happens for a reason,” they may say, without predicting the positive that could come from the negative.
In geological terms, 15-million-year-old Washington state lava flows and the largest documented flood in geologic history at the end of the Ice Age created an unpredictable benefit for future wine makers and bicyclists.
The vast Columbia Valley that includes Yakima and Walla Walla in eastern Washington boasts soil that is just right for growing grapes. That, combined with two additional daily hours of summer sunshine over California’s wine regions, and the geology-and-wine combo is just right for bicyclists. Together, they make for a tasteful outing in some of the state’s most scenic areas.
A Rich History
The prized vinifera grapes (common European grape) that flourish in French wine regions do well in the Northwest as well, partly because the region’s wineries sit on or near the same latitude (46 degrees). Yet it’s only been in the last 50 years that regional winemakers have started producing internationally award-winning wines. Today, Washington has about 320 wineries in six federally- recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVA) while Oregon has over 250 in seven federally recognized AVAs.
Credit for the wine explosion in both Washington and Oregon goes to the persistent and passionate winemakers who honed their craft for decades in dark cellars, unlocking secrets buried deep within the vine. Regardless of your biking experience or your wine expertise, you can fill countless summer afternoons sipping and pedaling your way through the Northwest’s many wine regions.
Oregon
In Oregon, vinifera grapes grow best west of the Cascades. The coast’s inland rise is just enough to soften the effects of the Pacific storms and create the right conditions for grapes. Half of the state’s grapes are grown for pinot noir, which grows well in the region’s mild climate, similar to the Burgundian area in France. One-quarter of Oregon’s vineyards are in the area southwest of Portland.
Eola Hills Wine Cellars, located in the Willamette Valley’s wine country, hosts its annual “Bike Oregon Wine Country” tour every Sunday in August. The rides are loops, ranging between 30 to 70 miles. Each tour is fully supported and ends with a BBQ feast and, of course, two glasses of Eola Hills wine.
Farther to the south is the Rogue Valley wine region and home to Ashland. The combination of wine, bike trails and the famous Shakespearean productions creates a dramatic experience no matter how you piece the three together. The Ashland area has earned Wine Spectator magazine’s praise for the “World’s Best Merlot,” and Ashland Vineyard has had several wines rated number one by that magazine.
A prime visiting time is during the Weisinger Winery Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival in late August. Be sure to check out Paschal Winery for its panoramic views that include the famous Harry and David Orchard.
Washington
To continue following the trail of vinifera grapes, head east of Washington’s Cascades to the vast Columbia Valley. It’s easy to put together a day or a weekend winery loop ride in either the Yakima Valley or Walla Walla Valley. You’ll find the oldest family owned winery in the state (1976), the Hinzerling Winery, in Prosser. The family still makes high-quality table and dessert wines from red and white grapes.
Walla Walla Valley is home to about 60 wineries and exceptional chardonnay and merlot. Several of the wineries are open to the public, including L’Ecole No. 41 in Lowden, just west of Walla Walla.
Since 1983, it has operated out of the original Frenchtown School (1915). Today, the family’s nieces and nephews design its colorful labels.
The Columbia Gorge AVA, starting about 50 miles east of Portland and straddling the Columbia River, is ripe with chardonnay, gewurztraminer, Riesling and pinot gris. If you want to narrow your trip, check out the wineries along S.R. 14, which hugs the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge.
Travel to the Woodinville area just east of Seattle to find about 20 wineries, including two of the state’s largest – the Columbia Winery and Chateau Ste. Michelle on Woodinville-Redmond Road. A popular bike route is the 11-mile Sammamish River Trail out of Bothell, which passes close by Columbia and Chateau Ste. Michelle wineries. Seattleites can access the Sammamish Trail from the Burke-Gilman Trail and leave their car at home.
Before You Go
Be sure to pick up a copy of Northwest Wine Country by Kathleen and Gerald Hill, which covers every winery from Oregon to British Columbia. Although it was not intended as a bicyclists’ guide, this is a must-have resource for travelers.
Once you’ve picked an area, contact the wineries for their tasting-room hours. Ask if they have a picnic area so that you can plan your lunch and snack stops accordingly. Inquire about special events such as outdoor concerts – during the summer, they are plentiful. Whether you take a personal tour or join an organized group, you will thank Mother Nature when the day is through.
For more information, see www.oregonwinecountry.org, www.washingtonwine.org, or www.winesnw.com.
Ptarmigan Ridge. (800) 627-0062, www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/recreation.
Northwest Winery Rides:
Aug. 2-28, Sundays only:
Bike Oregon Wine Country, Rickreall, Ore.;
30-70 miles loop rides through Willamette Valley Wine Country, (800) 291-6730, www.eolahillswinery.com
Aug. 20: Vine Ride, Rexburg, Ore.;
Raises money for Northwest Medical TeamsInternational; (800) 390-6189, www.vineride.com
Sept. 24-25: Kiwanis Wine Country Trek,
Yakima Valley, Wash.; (509) 966-4475,
www.desertvalley.com/kwct
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