Blog, Holidays, Oregon Wine
Plan Your Visit to the 2013 Oregon Wine Memorial Weekend Event!
Willamette Valley Wineries invites you to the 23rd annual Memorial Weekend event, May 25-27, 2013.
For the past 23 years, Willamette Valley wineries and tasting rooms throughout the region kick off the summer by opening their doors inviting the public to spend Memorial Day weekend in Oregon Wine country. Visitors can expect to partake in extraordinary tastings of the region’s acclaimed Pinot noir, Pinot gris and other exciting wines, vineyard tours, food, special events and entertainment.
Here’s your chance to explore wine country in a fun and casual setting or spend the weekend getting to know the smaller or newer producers that are only open on Memorial Day & Thanksgiving weekends.
Now is the time to plan your visit by completing the following actions:
- Request a copy of the printed Guide to Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country, which includes all winery activities and a touring map. Simply email info@willamettewines.com to request your guide (distributed in early May). Please include your mailing address.
- Plot your course with these wine tasting routes.
- Get ready to sip with these wine tasting tips.
- Sign up for a special Memorial Weekend Wine Essentials Class to start your wine tasting experience on the right foot.
- Use the Mobile Wine Tour to navigate to your destinations, offering turn-by-turn directions to our wineries right on your smart phone.
Here are some tips from The North Willamette Vintners to get the most of your holiday weekend:
- Drive less, taste more. Avoid the long drive and congested roadways by visiting the wineries located in Portland’s backyard, shaping the northern gateway to Oregon’s wine country.
- Discover new wineries. Experience a new label or visit a boutique winery not typically open for tastings.
- Taste exceptional wines. Be among the first to enjoy new releases, barrel samples and paired flights.
- Learn from the pros. Meet the winemakers and learn about the style, characteristics and unique attributes of their wine.
- Experience wine country. Participate in a traditional tribal salmon bake, watch a live landscape painting, stroll along a garden walk, tour the vineyards, relax to live music and soak in the spectacular vineyard views while enjoying a picnic lunch.
For more information and to plan your weekend visit Willamette Valley Wineries Association.
Need a place to stay? The Grand Hotel Bridgeport is proud to offer wine lovers luxurious accommodations, free parking, free WiFi(helpful as you are planning your afternoon of wine tasting!), and a free chef prepared breakfast the following morning! What more do you need? Book a Grand Hotel at Bridgeport Wine Package and you will see what we mean!
Photo via Woodburn Company Stores
Even if you missed the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, there is still plenty of time of take advantage of great savings at premiere shopping centers like Bridgeport Village and Woodburn Company Stores without having to pay a pesky sales tax!
Just for you holiday shoppers, we created the Grand Hotel at Bridgeport Shopping package to help you enjoy holiday shopping by day and unwind in your comfortable room at night. When you book this package, we will also give you a $25 gift card to Bridgeport Village or Woodburn Company Stores (you choose).
Enjoy amenities like free covered parking, free WiFi, indoor pool and workout room, cozy lobby with a fireplace, friendly service, free hot breakfast……and the best part: Convenience! We are within walking distance of Bridgeport Village and a quick drive to Woodburn Company Stores, the largest outlet center in Oregon.
While you are here, also check out:
Washington Square Mall
9585 SW Washington Square Rd.
Tigard, OR 97223
(503) 639-8860
• Traditional major mall located in Tigard along Hwy. 217 near its junction with Interstate 5
• Built in 1974, expanded and renovated in 2005 to become one of the largest retail centers in the Portland metropolitan area
• Four anchor department stores including Oregon’s largest Nordstrom, 170 distinctive retailers including the West Coast’s only Dick’s Sporting Goods, five restaurants and 11-eatery Food Court
The Streets of Tanasbourne
19350 NW Emma Way
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 533-0561
• Located just off Hwy. 26 on NW Cornell Road
• Outdoor shopping cluster of more than 50 specialty shops and national retailers, eight restaurants
Visit www.oregonswashingtoncounty.com for more information on great holiday shopping destinations!
photo credit: ryanjzeigler via photopin cc
Christmas on Broadway
The holiday season is here again and there is no shortage of lively events the whole family will enjoy. Whether you are traveling to visit with family, business or just want to get away for a couple of days, get your holiday spirit on and check out one of these local holiday events happening minutes from The Grand Hotel Bridgeport:
Tigard, OR
Christmas on Broadway November 21 – December 23, 2012 (show times vary)
Snowbound in a Broadway theater on Christmas Eve, four star-struck holiday travelers use costumes, props, and set pieces to live a shared dream – starring on Broadway! Filled with holiday classics and songs from Broadway shows and composers, this is an evening of holiday magic.
Broadway Rose New Stage 12850 SW Grant Ave
503-620-5262/boxoffice@broadwayrose.org
www.broadwayrose.org
Bridgeport Village Light up the Night Event Fri, November 23, 2012 6-8pm
Gather at Bridgeport Village to enjoy a live holiday concert by The Beatniks, followed by a ceremonial lighting of the 40-foot tree and Santa’s arrival at 7 p.m.
Bridgeport Village 7455 SW Bridgeport Rd.
www.bridgeport-village.com
Victorian Christmas Sat, December 1, 2012 1-4pm
The Tigard Historical Association invites you and your family to experience a Victorian Christmas at the John Tigard House Museum. Enjoy the charms of yesteryear when parlors were furnished with velvet settees and food was cooked on a wood-burning stove.
103rd Avenue & Canterbury Lane
503-747-9856
www.tigardhistorical.org
From Heav’n Above Sat, December 1, 2012 7pm
The Oregon Chorale, under the direction of Bernd R. Kuehn, invites you to come hear the major work Von Himmel Hoch by Felix Mendelssohn, performed with orchestra and soloists. Old World Christmas carols will round out the concert.
Tigard United Methodist Church 9845 SW Walnut Place
503-926-8033
www.oregonchorale.org
Photo: Bridgeport Village
Tualatin, OR
Starry Nights and Holiday Lights Fri, December 7, 2012 5:30-8:30pm
Kick off the holiday season at Tualatin‘s Starry Nights & Holiday Lights, a special night filled with thousands of twinkling lights, caroling and a floating holiday tree. Enjoy activities for the kids, refreshments, and holiday cheer.
Tualatin Commons 8325 SW Nyberg Rd
503-691-3076
www.tualatinoregon.gov
Community Concerts off the Commons Sat, December 8, 2012 7:30pm
On the second Saturday of the month, enjoy an evening of musical entertainment at Community Concerts off the Commons. This concert features Bronnie Griffin, Johnny Box Connolly, Cary Novotny, Nancy Conescu and Mike Doolin. Tickets available through www.brownpapertickets.com.
Winona Grange 8340 SW Seneca St
503-691-2078
www.sandairishentertainment.com
Sherwood, OR
Alpaca Open Barn & Holiday Sale November 23rd-November 24th
Take a break from the annual Thanksgiving winery tours to meet colorful alpacas and their babies, chat with breeders, and do some holiday shopping. The Barn Store has teddy bears, clothing, handcrafted items and yarns for knitters and hand spinners.
Alpacas of Oregon 21345 SW Aebischer Rd
503-348-6954
Email: bolewicz@netzero.net
www.easygofarm.net
Sherwood Winter Festival Sat, December 1, 2012
Santa will kick off the holiday season at Sherwood’s Winter Festival. This special holiday event includes a community parade, tree lighting, holiday music, kids’ activities, and free hot dogs and cocoa.
Sherwood Plaza Shopping Center 16300 SW Langer Drive
503-625-4233/RobinHoodFestival@gmail.com
www.robinhoodfestival.org
Portland
Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by SmartPark Friday November 23 5:30pm
Be Merry at the Square! On the busiest shopping day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving, thousands of Portlanders will gather at the Square to celebrate the official start of the season by lighting the City’s spectacular 75ft Douglas-fir tree provided by Stimson Lumber Company. The Tree Lighting Ceremony, now in its 28th year, will feature a holiday sing-a-long featuring Portland’s own Thomas Lauderdale with members of Pink Martini and friends. With a big tree, 14,000 colorful lights and a festive community sing-a-long, this is an event you won’t want to miss in Portland’s living room
www.thesquarepdx.org
Holiday Ale Festival November 28th through December 2nd (check website for times)
Entering its 17th year, the Holiday Ale Festival will be at Pioneer Courthouse Square November 28th through December 2nd. More than 40+ breweries will be featured at this year’s event, all of which are created specifically to bring warmth and cheer to the holiday season. From Belgians and Barleywines to Porters and Stouts, these beers are rich, robust and full of complex flavors. For more information visit www.holidayale.com Ages 21+
Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale December 8th & December 9th (11am – 6pm both days)
This biannual sale turns the Oregon Convention Sale into a true wonderland of all things handmade each spring and winter. The December event is scheduled so you find the perfect made-in-Portland gifts in time for the holidays.
www.craftywonderland.com
Festival of Lights at The Grotto – November 23, 2012 through December 30, 2012 (closed Christmas Day)
An amazing display of more than 500,000 lights illuminates the largest choral festival in the Pacific Northwest. A petting zoo, puppet shows and seasonal food and beverages also highlight the event.
www.thegrotto.org
Parade of Christmas Ships December 7 – 21, 2012
For more than 50 years, this fleet of 55-60 brightly lit boats has staged performances on the Willamette and Columbia rivers during the holiday season. Visit the Christmas Ships website for dates, times and best viewing locations.
Columbia River Willamette River
www.christmasships.org
ZooLights Festival Friday, Nov. 23rd to Monday, Dec. 31st. There will be no ZooLights Monday, Dec. 24 or Tuesday, Dec. 25.
The Oregon Zoo becomes a holiday fairyland as one of Portland’s largest light displays blazes to life. Decorated train rides, kids’ activities, and music by community groups.
www.oregonzoo.org
Check with these sources for additional events and information: