One of the joys of living in Oregon is having access to world-class wineries. There’s no denying the verdant Willamette Valley is the unequivocal darling of Oregon’s wine regions, but personally? I prefer the wineries in Hood River more.
The reason is simple, Columbia Gorge wineries feel more relaxed than those in Willamette Valley. Granted, the lauded Willamette Valley is full of prestigious awards, but with that comes an air of pretension that the Columbia Gorge seems to skirt (thankfully).
All told, I’ve been visiting the wineries in the Columbia River Gorge for five years now. The region is a scenic 1-hour drive from Portland, making it an easy weekend escape. Rolling hills and jaw-dropping mountain views, here’s a roundup of my favorite Hood River wineries to visit.
When to Visit the Columbia River Gorge
The best time to visit wineries in Hood River is during the summer months (June – September) when the chance of rainfall is minimal. Average temperatures hover around 75° – 80°F and most wineries have air-conditioned indoor tasting rooms along with shaded outdoor patios.
September is a very popular time to go wine tasting in the Columbia River Gorge, so expect crowds. Also, be mindful that it’s not uncommon for wineries to close during intense wildfire season. I’ve visited a few Hood River wineries in the fall, but the chilly weather and rain detracted from the overall experience.
The Best Wineries in Hood River
(Click here for the table of contents)
Heads up: Make sure to pick up a copy of this fun wine pairing cookbook (co-written by a local sommelier) if you plan to bring home some bottles while visiting the wineries in the Columbia River Gorge.
Hiyu Wine Farm
Part working-farm, part-winery, Hiyu Wine Farm was co-founded in 2010 by experienced winemaker, Nate Ready and his partner, China Tresemer.
Before establishing the winery, Ready worked as head sommelier at several fine-dining establishments, most notably Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in Napa Valley (Three Michelin Stars).
Growing 112 varietals of grapes using biodynamic farming practices, Ready employs an old-world practice rare in U.S. viticulture these days. He plants multiple varieties in the same plot and then co-ferments the grapes to produce some of the most interesting wines in Hood River.
The wine tastings are on the pricier side, perhaps best saved for special occasions (but the experience it worth every penny, in my opinion). The long wooden tables in the tasting room encourage visitors to linger for a while with a glass of incredible wine in hand.
Hiyu Wine Farm makes an appearance on our list of the best wineries in Oregon state.
Marchesi Vineyards
Marchesi Vineyards was started by an Italian immigrant who came to America at the age of 22 and worked as a sommelier for two decades before starting his own Hood River winery.
He chose the Columbia River Gorge because the climate reminded him of his hometown in northern Italy. Reclaiming an abandoned apple orchard, Marchesi uses traditional Italian wine-making methods that result in exciting earthy wines.
I can attest that visiting Marchesi Vineyards feels like being transported to the Tuscan countryside. The relaxing ambience of this quaint winery transcends time, the hours slip by without notice.
My husband and I were lucky enough to snatch one of the tables tucked cozily between rows of vines and had a private drinking experience over a bottle of Sangiovese. Our time at Marchesi ultimately nurtured our love affair with wineries in the Columbia River Gorge, highly recommend!
Stave & Stone Wine Estates
A century ago, Stave & Stone operated as an apple and pear orchard. In 2004, the family reached an inflection point and had to make a hard decision: replace the orchard’s aging trees or pursue a life-long dream of starting a winery in Hood River.
The first block of Pinot Noir was planted in 2012 and the rest, as they say, is history. Adorned with numerous awards, scoring a table during summer won’t be easy because this place is a true gem.
The head winemaker, Rich Cushman, was born and raised in Hood River but honed his wine-making skills in Germany and the Willamette Valley before returning to Hood River in 2007.
Cushman’s skill is undeniable, we constantly find ourselves impressed by the balanced wines. The friendly staff and easy-going ambiance are huge perks too. This is one of our favorite wineries in the Columbia River Gorge to visit with out-of-town guests because they always leave equally impressed.
Local’s Recommendation: Stave & Stone is home to one of the best lavender farms in Oregon, time your visit accordingly.
Mt. Hood Winery
Started in 2002, Mt. Hood Winery is one of the most-seasoned wineries in the Columbia River Gorge. Don’t just take my word for it, it was rated Oregon Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest in 2016 (the most prestigious award bestowed upon an Oregon winery).
The winery expanded in 2008 to include a stunning tasting room (and antique wine bar). Featuring stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll get breathtaking views of Mt. Hood while enjoying sensational wines. If I had to choose the best winery in Hood River based on tasting rooms alone, Mt. Hood Winery would get my vote.
The staff are very knowledgeable and happy to offer recommendations or answer questions from inquiring minds. I suggest ordering a chilled glass of the Estate Pinot Gris or the award-winning Syrah before settling in for the afternoon.
The Grateful Vineyard
Opened in 2019 by Katrina McAlexander, Grateful Vineyard is Hood River’s first winery, cidery and brewery combo. The passion project of a 3rd generation farmer, Katrina’s great-great grandparents tended a vineyard in Switzerland before immigrating to Oregon in 1905.
Years later, Katrina’s uncle and aunt would start Elk Cove Vineyard in the Willamette Valley (1974). Today, Grateful Vineyard partners with Elk Cove Vineyard to produce exceptional wines under the Grateful Vineyard label.
Home to an apple orchard, tons of flower fields (the sunflowers are magical!) and an epic outdoor patio, the relaxing ambience and great vibes guarantee a great time.
Learn from my mistake and make lunch or dinner reservations well in advance (the wood-fired pizza is top-notch). Reservations are required for tastings and food pairings, you can book online in advance.
Wy’East Vineyards
Located a few minutes from downtown Hood River, Wy’East Vineyards is a quaint family-run Columbia Gorge winery offering a breezy escape for overworked 9-5ers.
The owners, Dick and Christie Reed, hail from the Midwest, but a serendipitous trip to Bordeaux laid the groundwork for a lifelong passion in wine. The Reeds moved to Hood River in 1992 and bought a farm with a vineyard.
As the years went on, the family partnered with experienced winemakers to produce the best wines in the Columbia River Gorge. Wy’East Vineyards is known for exciting Pinot Gris, spectacular Cuvées and crisp Chardonnays.
But my favorite pour is the Carménéré, made with a Chilean grape varietal assumed to be extinct for more than 100 years.
This is one of the calmer wineries in Hood River, which makes it a great option if you’d like to catch up with some friends over a delightful bottle of wine. Don’t sleep on the homemade chocolates, they are absolutely divine (thank me later).
Cathedral Ridge Winery
Named after a ridge on the northwestern side of Mt. Hood, this idyllic Hood River winery is home to 30 award-winning wines. For more than 18 years, Cathedral Ridge has been wooing guests with bold red blends and delightful whites.
The winery’s fourth-generation winemaker, Michael Sebastiani, handcrafts wines in limited batched to ensure the highest quality possible.
If time permits, I suggest signing up for the Barrel Tasting Immersion where you can better learn about the wine making process from start to finish.
Cathedral Ridge Winery is one of the most popular wineries in the Columbia River Gorge, so advanced reservations are required. If you’re new to the wine scene, opt for the standard tasting (to sample 6 wines of your choosing).
Local’s Recommendation: Whatever you do, don’t leave without having a glass of the Rock Star Red Reserve.
Phelps Creek Vineyards
Opened in 1990 by Robert Morus, a retired Delta Pilot, Phelps Creek is a fan favorite in the Columbia Gorge. Spanning 36 acres, the vineyard focuses on cool-weather varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with initial plantings dating to 1989.
The secret weapon at this Columbia Gorge winery? Alexandrine Roy, a fourth-generation winemaker from Burgundy, France.
The minute the harvest in Burgundy wraps, Roy flies to Oregon to assist with winemaking at Phelps Creek, a trek she’s been making since 2007. Her keen eye for balanced wines has taken this Hood River winery to the next level.
Good to Know: Two wines from Phelps Creek have earned a spot on The French Laundry wine menu (an unbelievable achievement!).
Cerulean Wine
Opened in 2010, this family-owned winery is focused on making authentic natural wines that reflect the local climate. The owners hand trim and hand harvest the grapes on their 23-acre organic vineyard, Acadia Vineyards.
The love and labor that goes into the wine-making process is not lost on the palate. There’s something special about these wines that keeps me coming back to this incredible winery in the Columbia River Gorge often. I love their charming location in downtown (adjacent to Doppio Coffee).
Upsidedown Wine
Modern and sleek, what Upsidedown Wine lacks in rustic wood beams it makes up for with a beautiful marble counters and an intriguing minimalist design that exudes cozy vibes. They definitely have the ambiance thing down.
But there delicious wine is where they shine. We ordered a flight and found ourselves very impressed by the robust flavors. Quite possibly the best rosé I’ve had in Hood River comes from this quaint winery and the bottles are very affordable, to boot.
The coolest part about this incredible Hood River winery is that 20% of profits goes to charity. So in a way, you’re drinking for a good cause, and who wouldn’t want to support a business like that?
“We believe in bringing people together, whether that be through sharing a bottle or sharing our profits. When you Drink Upsidedown, 20% of the net proceeds are passed on to our partner organizations. This is just one small way that together we can make a difference. “
Viento Wines
Dating back to 1986, this charming winery in Hood River makes the best Riesling I’ve had to date. The owner, Rich Cushman, is a Hood River local with over 40 years of experience making wine. He was also the head winemaker for several Columbia Gorge wineries mentioned on this list.
Viento translates to “wind” in Spanish, an homage to Hood River’s claim as the Wind Surfing Capital of the World. Specializing in Riesling, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines, summer doesn’t officially start without a glass of Cuvée Diamante from Viento Wines. If you’re partial to rosés, don’t sleep on the Diamante Rosé.
Note: The tasting room at Viento Wines has now closed. However, if you can get your hands on the sparkling wintes from the winery, I highly recommend doing so!
The Gorge White House
The Gorge White House is a majestic 1908 Dutch Colonial house that sits on a 30-acre farm in the very heart of Hood River Valley. While the Gorge White House doesn’t produce wine in-house, they offer pours from local Hood River wineries, in addition to knock-out cider flights and local craft brews.
This is a great place for the whole family because the sprawling property has a large u-pick wildflower field in addition to a charming gift shop and several u-pick fruits and veggies.
Every time we’re in Hood River, regardless of the wineries we visit, my husband always asks to swing by the Gorge White House for the hard cider flight, he’s a sucker for it.
As for food, I never pass up the chance to order the seasonal salad because it tastes so fresh. But heads up, food orders typically take an hour to prepare for some reason. However, if you have the time, the food is completely worth it.
Best Wineries in the Columbia River Gorge (Washington Side)
Syncline Winery | Lyle, Washington
Awarded Washington Winemaker of the Year in 2018, Syncline (sin-klin) Winery was founded in 2003 by James and Poppie Mantone.
The happy couple produces wines inspired by France’s renowned Rhone region (think Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne). Today, it’s this creative, limited-production winery is known as one of the best wineries in the Columbia Gorge.
Domaine Poullion Winery | Lyle, Washington
Domaine Poullion was started in 2005 by husband-and-wife duo, Juliet and Alexis Pouillon. The couple was determined to make small-batch wine with old world flair.
In humbling fashion, they started their winery as amateurs and now make some of the most exciting wines in the Columbia River Gorge.
The Mourvedre is dream worthy and the welcoming tasting room feels like a luxurious escape to the French countryside. You can’t go wrong with the outdoor patio either, the views are breathtaking.
Maryhill Winery | Goldendale, Washington
Producing 80,000 cases of wine annually, Maryhill Winery is one of the largest wineries in the Columbia River Gorge. Sitting high atop the eastern edge of the the Gorge, this is the go-to spot for award-winning Zinfandel and Syrahs. The sweeping views of Mt. Hood don’t hurt either.
COR Cellars | Lyle, Washington
Yet another gem of a winery, COR Cellars has been serving knock-out wines since 2004. This Columbia River Gorge winery is the passion project of Luke Bradford, who studied sustainable agriculture in college and found himself inspired to make wine after a climbing trip to northern Italy.
Best Columbia River Gorge Wineries (Post Summary)
In sum, these are the BEST wineries in Hood River + Columbia River Gorge
- Marchesi Vineyards
- Stave & Stone Winery
- The Gorge White House
- Wy’East Vineyards
- Cathedral Ridge Winery
- Viento Wines
- Phelps Creek Winery
- Mt. Hood Winery
- Cerulean Wine
- The Grateful Vineyard
- Upsidedown Winery
- Hiyu Wine Farm
- Syncline Winery
- Domaine Poullion Winery
- Maryhill Winery
- COR Cellars
Map of the best wineries in Hood River
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the BEST wineries in Hood River don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.
Cheers!
Antonina
Hi,
My husband and I have been to many of the wineries you have mentioned and the remainder will be explored with great anticipation.
In my opinion, you may have overlooked a few stellar wineries, which are Cascade Cliffs and Jacob Williams (both near Wishram, Washington) the last one is The Pines located in Hood River. Please check them out you won’t find a friendlier staff, amazing wines and beautiful surroundings. They all are well worth exploring.
Truly,
Deb McGowan
Thank you for the recommendations, Deb! I’ll give these a try next time I visit Hood River. 🙂
we are coming out for the IPNC this year and want to spend a few days in the gorge on the Oregon side. Any quaint and quiet b and b’s near all of your fav wineries would be appreciated. Scott
Thank you so much for your articles…. They are SO helpful. Do you have an article for the best and/or most beautiful wineries in the Willamette Valley area? We are staying in McMinnville for a couple days. Thank you again! ?
Thanks so much! I do not have a post for the Willamette Valley yet but am working on one. Will share once I post!
Cheers,
Antonina
Garnier, Idiot’s Grace and Analema vineyards all in Mosier are also wonderful!
Hi, Loving these recomendations! How do most people travel between the vineyards? Did you use a local taxi company?