Blog, Friends of the Grand Hotel, Oregon Wine, Travel Tips
Oregon Beverage Tasting for Under $10 per person
It is a little known secret that you don’t have to spend a large sum of money to enjoy the many attractions when you travel to Oregon’s Washington County. In fact, many of our favorite attractions are either free or under $10 per person. In a series of posts, we will share some smart recommendations provided by Washington County Visitors Association for the budget conscious travelers.
This month, we will share tips to explore Oregon’s Washington County wine country for less than $10 per person! Wine, saké and beer enthusiasts on a budget may venture to specialty beverage makers in Washington County for a day of sampling.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started (Prices subject to change):
Helvetia Vineyards (23269 NW Yungen Road, Hillsboro, Ore.)
Helvetia Vineyards was started by former U.S. Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse (1993-1999) and husband John Platt, located in the rural, unincorporated area of Helvetia. The winery, which has been producing wine since 1996, follows sustainable practices—it is a “salmon safe” farm—and produces Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Tasting fee: $3 per person
Open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SakéOne (820 Elm St., Forest Grove, Ore.)
The American owned-and-operated saké brewery, SakéOne, produces traditional, premium-grade Japanese saké, plus organic and flavor-infused blends. At the brewery, visitors can tour the kura where each step of the saké-making process is explained, and sip a selection of saké in the tasting room.
$3 per person (Kura flight of four saké tastes); Kura tours are complimentary
Open daily, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Kura tours 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
Two Kilts Brewing Company (14841 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road, Sherwood, Ore.)
The latest introduction to Oregon’s “beervana” culture is Two Kilts Brewing Company. The company was founded in 2009 and the tasting room opened its doors in 2011. In its short time, Two Kilts has amassed a following and praise from local beer enthusiasts with their India Pale Ale, Scotch Ale and other brews made with local ingredients.
$4 per pint, tastes from $1
Open Monday-Saturday, 3-10 p.m.
For more ideas with a broader price range, download this Wine Tour Itinerary
Oregon’s Washington County is scenically situated between Portland and the Oregon Coast. The destination covers 727 square miles and includes the growing communities of Banks, Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville. Washington County is home to world-class golf courses, award-winning wineries, an array of outdoor recreation opportunities, lush, natural and scenic wetlands and wildlife preserves, superb dining, and myriad shopping. For more information, visit the Washington County Visitors Association’s official destination website or visit the online pressroom.
photo credit: Vincent Ma via photopin cc
Dozens of local wineries offer tastings, pairings and activities during Memorial Day Weekend.
Want to plan a memorable getaway for Memorial Day? Come to Wine Country! 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!
The North Willamette Vintners roll open their cellar doors this Memorial Day weekend and invite wine lovers to experience the bounty of the North Willamette Valley. During the three-day holiday weekend, dozens of wineries located just minutes from Portland will welcome spring and kick off wine tasting season with extraordinary tastings, special events and entertainment.
“With our close proximity to Portland, we offer guests a truly authentic wine country experience easily accessible for a day excursion or a full weekend trip” explains Laurine Apolloni, President of North Willamette Vintners. “Guests can drive less and taste more in the North Willamette Valley this Memorial Day weekend”
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 www.NWVintners.com.
Enomatic Wine System
Hotel guests are often asking our staff about some of the unique places in the Tigard / Tualatin area to try and there has been quite a bit of buzz about Split Dine in Drink in our neighboring Bridgeport Village. In fact, taking in a movie and enjoying a couple of glasses of great wines seem to be a favorite way to unwind at the end of the day.
What we like the most about Split is their selection of Enomatic Wines . Enomatic is a wine distribution system that creates a closed environment that prevents wines from oxidizing. Once a bottle is opened, the system instantaneously replaces any wine poured with an equal volume of nitrogen gas. It ensures that each glass will taste as if the bottle was just opened and it allows guests to taste premium wines without blindly committing to an entire bottle. This is a fantastic way to enjoy special wines without having to splurge for an expensive bottle. The pours are computer controlled…you can order a Taste (1 oz), 1/2 Glass (3oz) or Glass (6 oz).
They also feature a warm and relaxing atmosphere and a menu with a great mix of small plates and dinners.
Recurring Events
Split has launched all new dinner, lunch, and happy hour menu’s with the vision and creation of new Executive Chef Russell Schillereff. Menu’s can be found in the Dine section of our site.
Sunday “Champagne Brunch” is served from 10am-2pm, with champagne $18: without $13 and children under 12 only $8.
Menu: Lunch and Dinner
Happy Hours everyday from 3pm-6pm, and again from 9pm- close, Specials include $5 wine, and $3 beers. The food menu can be found in the dine section of our site.
Not sure what to get? Here are some customer suggestions we found from reviews we found on YELP:
I had the calamari appetizer and it was the best I’ve ever had. I followed that with a chicken and cheese penne pasta which was incredibly rich, but I took most of it home as leftovers, which I always nice. I had a cocktail and my date had a couple glasses of wine, which were actually quite good.
The small plates are yummy here with the chicken skewers and chicken salad topping my list. Purposely order light, so you can indulge and have some chocolate gelato for dessert.
Photo Credit: From Wine Glossary: Enomatic