Departures: 7- days per week; Year-round
Duration:9:00 am until 5:30 pm
Public Tour Price: $155.00 per person
Private Tour Price:
1: $680 per person
2: $340 per person
3: $227 per person
4+: $170 per person
Includes: Tasting Fees at 1 winery, water, and professional Tour Guide.
Pick Up Location: Select downtown Portland hotels. Click here for a list of many hotels that we pick up at.
Highlights:
* Bring a Camera! The views of the waterfalls, the Columbia River Gorge, the Hood River Valley, and Mt. Hood are spectacular photo opportunities and also provide the perfect backdrop for selfies and group photos.
* Taste the Wine! Sample wines in one of Oregon’s fastest growing wine-producing regions.
* Unwind and Celebrate! Treat yourself, friends and loved ones to stunning scenery, relaxed tastings, and comfortable settings.
Tour Description:
Beginning in the Cascades and moving upriver through the eastern stretch of the Columbia River Gorge is the relatively young, but rapidly growing wine-making region known as the Columbia River American Viticulture Area (AVA). Often referred to as “A World of Wine in 40 Miles,” the Columbia River AVA consists of a combination of climates, soils, elevation, and geology to produce some of the most varied grape varietals in the Pacific Northwest.
Our enthusiastic guides will introduce you to the most amazing places in the Gorge, Hood River Valley, and Mt Hood National Forest while providing a comprehensive narrative of this spectacular landscape and its transformative history. They will then transport you to one winery that best represents the unique offerings from the Columbia River AVA. Our stops include Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Fish Hatchery, Hood River, one winery, and Timberline Lodge (over halfway up the side of Mt. Hood!!)
Multnomah Falls: Prepare to be blown away by the grand Multnomah Falls! This 620-foot (189-meter) wonder is fed by secret underground streams that start from as far as Larch Mountain. The waterfall has two parts: the upper section drops a jaw-dropping 542 feet into a pool, followed by a 69-foot drop that creates a creek that snakes its way into the mighty Columbia River. No wonder Multnomah Falls is the second-highest year-round waterfall in the US and the tallest in Oregon! It’s no secret that this natural wonder is Oregon’s superstar, captivating over 2.5 million visitors from every corner of the globe. And when you reach the waterfall’s base, you’ll find the Historic Multnomah Falls Lodge, where you can grab a bite, pick up some souvenirs, sip on some espresso, and explore the interpretive center.
Bonneville Fish Hatchery: Are you ready for a fin-tastic adventure? Take a stroll to the display ponds, where you can feed the rainbow trout while gazing at the majestic adult white sturgeon that are over 10 feet long! Just beyond the outdoor sturgeon pond lies a small white building, home to the Sturgeon Viewing Center, which was built back in 1998. Inside you’ll meet Herman, the granddaddy sturgeon who’s over 80 years old, 10 feet long, and weighs a whopping 500 pounds!
Hood River: Just an hour’s drive from Portland lies the charming town of Hood River, Oregon. Nestled in a valley between two possibly active volcanoes, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood, this town’s popularity sky-rocketed in the 80s as a windsurfing haven. Nowadays, it’s the go-to spot for outdoor adventurers seeking thrills in mountain biking, kayaking, paragliding, rock climbing, hiking, and skiing. And let’s not forget about the foodies! Downtown Hood River boasts a smorgasbord of eateries and craft breweries like Boda’s Kitchen and Double Mountain Brewery, plus some quirky shops and wine tasting rooms. After lunch, we’ll venture into the Hood River Valley to taste wine, soak up the natural beauty, thousands of acres of fruit orchards, and generations of farming know-how. As we take in the breathtaking views, hear all about the history of this area’s agricultural and timber industry.
Columbia River AVA Wineries: The Columbia Gorge Wine Region is home to more than 65 wineries, along a 40-mile stretch of the Columbia River. Although the Columbia River AVA encompasses both sides of the River in Oregon and Washington states, we’ll visit one select winery within the Hood River Valley region of Oregon. The winery that you will experience comes from the following list of offerings: Phelps Creek Vineyards, Cathedral Ridge Winery, Marchesi Vineyards & Winery, Viento, Mt. Hood Winery, Stave & Stone, Cascade Cliffs Tasting Room, The Pines, Garnier, Hood Crest, and Wy’East vineyards.
Farm Stand (Spring & Summer only): Get your taste buds ready for a locally grown feast along the stunning “Fruit Loop” drive in Hood River County! This road trip takes you through the picturesque orchards, vineyards, and family farms of the valley. With a whopping 28 fruit stands along the way, you’ll have a ball picking from a variety of fresh fruits, veggies, flowers, homemade pies, jams, syrups, honey, ciders, and even handcrafted artisanal gifts. Did you know that Hood River County is the world’s top producer of Anjou pears and the largest pear-growing area in the US? But wait, there’s more! This region is also known for growing mouth-watering big tree fruits like apples, cherries, nectarines, and peaches. We’ll make a pit stop at a fruit stand like Packer Orchards & Bakery so you can sample and grab some of these farm-to-table goodies, and take a little piece of Oregon home with you.
Timberline Lodge: At 11,249 feet, Mt. Hood stands tall, flaunting its icy crown and boasting world-renowned ski areas. Timberline, in particular, is a snow magnet and the proud owner of the longest ski season in North America. But, hold onto your beanies, folks! The real star of the show is the jaw-dropping Timberline Lodge. This architectural masterpiece has been wowing visitors for over 80 years, thanks to a little help from the WPA and President Franklin D. Roosevelt himself. The lodge’s interior is a wild-west wonderland, showcasing bold Art Deco designs that scream 1930s America. Think stone arches, wrought iron accents, and roaring fireplaces, all made with rough-cut stone. So, take a break from the slopes and snap some pics of the mountain, wander through the lodge, and savor a cup of the Snow-Capped Dream, the most decadent hot chocolate you’ll ever taste!
