Edgefield Winery - McMenamins

This is a “winery” that you can visit and not leave for a week. With 38 acres of property, highlighted by The Edgefield Manor and its whimsical Art Nouveau motif, guests can eat, sleep, enjoy spa treatments, golf, and drink without worrying about global warming or the price of gas (the absence of TVs and phones in the bedrooms are just part of this inn’s charm). It’s a mere 30-minute drive from downtown Portland to Troutdale’s Edgefield Manor, but it might as well be a world away. When you see the small vineyard in front of Halsey Street you know you’ve arrived. Once parked, resist the urge to get comfortable in one of the veranda’s rocking chairs and follow the signs to the tasting room, which is strategically located in the basement.

There, for a nominal tasting fee, you will find a full line-up of wines to choose from. You know you are in Oregon when the wine list includes pinot gris and pinot noir, but you also have the option to choose from Columbia Gorge varietals such as chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot, and others.

Indeed, this is winemaker Davis Palmer’s playground. He’s not confined to one or two varieties. Rather, he has a full portfolio of premium grapes to choose from. One of the most popular wines is called Black Rabbit Red, which features a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, zinfandel, and grenache, and sells for around $15. That’s a good value.

Edgefield Winery had its first crush in 1990 and later added the downstairs tasting room. After you’ve worked your way through a flight of wines, make sure you budget time to stroll the grounds of this old “poor farm” and check out the gardens, hidden pubs, classic pool hall, and well-stocked gift shop. By then, you may have worked up an appetite and be ready to experience one of Edgefield Manor’s many pubs. To neutralize your tummy’s grumblings, check out the Black Rabbit Restaurant & Bar. If you do, you might want to ask your server to uncork that fresh bottle of Black Rabbit Red you just purchased. ¡Salud!